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Honiara
Honiara ( ) is the capital and largest city of Solomon Islands, situated on the northwestern coast of Guadalcanal. , it had a population of 92,344 people. The city is served by Honiara International Airport and the seaport of Point Cruz, and lies along the Kukum Highway. In 1983, a capital territory – comprising the 22 square-kilometre metropolitan area of Honiara – was proclaimed, with a self-governing status akin to a province, although the city also retained an older role as capital of Guadalcanal Province.
AI overview
Honiara is the capital and largest city of Solomon Islands, located on the northwestern coast of Guadalcanal with a population of 92,344 people. The city serves as the nation's primary hub, connected by an international airport and seaport, and has held the status of a self-governing capital territory since 1983.
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Place details
- Locality
- Honiara
- Country
- Solomon Islands
- Population
- 56,298
- Timezone
- Pacific/Guadalcanal
via · GeoNames
Travel guide
Understand
Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands.
Get around
Taxis are relatively plentiful and cheap in Honiara. They can be either ordered or flagged down. There are also frequent minibuses that operate along the coastal strip from Henderson to White River making numerous stops along the way (SBD$3 any distance).
Do
Take a guided trek to one of the waterfalls nearby, such as the beautiful Matanikau Falls, about a two-hour walk from the starting point a short bus-ride from the city centre. Check out a service at one of the many churches. South Seas Evangelical Church has an easily-found location next to the central markets and beautiful singing. Its main Sunday service is at 9:30am. There is also a smaller evening service there most Sundays at 5pm. Beach it. Wander through the bustling Central Market. It is a site to behold, in particular on Saturday mornings where you can pick up flowers and hand-made jewellery and crafts. And dive, explore, make plans or see the rest of the country...
Buy
There are many craft/souvenir shops located along the coastal strip. Handicrafts such as wooden carvings are also often sold in the covered area of Panatina Plaza carpark. Additionally, the central market is a great place to buy local handicrafts, jewellery and lavalavas (sarongs). The latter come in a range of fabrics and brightly-coloured dip-dyed designs.
There are a number of shops selling secondhand clothing, which can be found easily along the main street and elsewhere. Handmade childrens' clothing such as skirts can be found at the Central Market.
Solomon Island Newbie Guide: SHOPPING (What to buy part one) is a helpful guide to shopping in the Solomons, includes some great gift ideas.
Eat
There is surprising variety in Honiara with many restaurants catering to expats. This includes hotels listed below. There are a number of eateries near the museum, to its left if you are facing it from the main road. A range of lunch foods and drinks are on offer, including fish 'n' cassava chips and green (drinking) coconuts. The Central Market, located on the main road, is a great source of fresh fruit and vegetables. Fish and chips, as well as uncooked fish, are also sold there. A helpful list of places to purchase groceries can be found here: Newbie Honiara Guide: Food
~32 min read
Article
27 sectionsContents
- Population
- History
- World War II
- Modern development
- Conflict
- Geography and climate
- Politics
- Administrative divisions
- Economy
- Landmarks
- War memorial and peace park
- National Parliament and Government House
- Museums
- Schools
- Libraries and books
- Hospitals
- Churches
- Hotels and restaurants
- Culture
- Religion
- Sports
- Transport
- Twin towns – sister cities
- See also
- References
- Bibliography
- External links
Honiara ( ) is the capital and largest city of Solomon Islands, situated on the northwestern coast of Guadalcanal. , it had a population of 92,344 people. The city is served by Honiara International Airport and the seaport of Point Cruz, and lies along the Kukum Highway. In 1983, a capital territory – comprising the 22 square-kilometre metropolitan area of Honiara – was proclaimed, with a self-governing status akin to a province, although the city also retained an older role as capital of Guadalcanal Province.
The airport area to the east of Honiara was the site of a battle between the United States and the Japanese during the Guadalcanal Campaign in World War II, the Battle for Henderson Field of 1942, from which the former emerged victorious. After Honiara became the new administrative centre of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate in 1952 with the addition of many administrative buildings, the town began to develop and grow in population. Since the late 1990s, Honiara has suffered a turbulent history of ethnic violence and political unrest and is scarred by rioting. A coup attempt in June 2000 resulted in violent rebellions and fighting between the ethnic Malaitans of the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) and the Guadalcanal natives of the Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM).
Gallery (27)
On the map
2 mapped locations