Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu and Philippines

9°28′S 159°49′E

Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands is an archipelagic country consisting of six major islands and over 1,000 smaller islands in Melanesia, Oceania, to the north-east of Australia.

Satellite picture of New Guinea
NASA, Cropped by User:Jklamo / Public domain

Chart

7605 landforms

Overview

Solomon Islands is an archipelagic country consisting of six major islands and over 1,000 smaller islands in Melanesia, Oceania, to the north-east of Australia. It is adjacent to Bougainville to the west, New Caledonia and Vanuatu to the south-east, Fiji, Tuvalu, and Wallis and Futuna to the east, and the Federated States of Micronesia and Nauru to the north. It has a total area of 28,896 square kilometres (11,157 sq mi), and a population of 828,857 according to official estimates from 2025. Its capital and largest city, Honiara, is located on the largest island, Guadalcanal. The country takes its name from the wider area of the Solomon Islands archipelago, which is a collection of Melanesian islands that also includes the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (currently a part of Papua New Guinea), but excludes the Santa Cruz Islands. The islands have been settled since at least some time between 30,000 and 28,800 BC, with later waves of migrants, notably the Lapita people, mixing and producing the modern indigenous Solomon Islanders population. In 1568, the Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña was the first European to visit them. Though not named by Mendaña, it is believed that the islands were called "the Solomons" by those who later received word of his voyage and mapped his discovery. Mendaña returned decades later, in 1595, and another Spanish expedition, led by Portuguese navigator Pedro Fernandes de Queirós, visited the Solomons in 1606. In June 1893, Captain Herbert Gibson of HMS Curacoa declared the southern Solomon Islands a British protectorate. During World War II, the Solomon Islands campaign (1942–1945) saw fierce fighting between the United States, British Imperial forces, and the Empire of Japan, including the Battle of Guadalcanal. The official name of the then-British administration was changed from the "British Solomon Islands Protectorate" to "the Solomon Islands" in 1975, and self-government was achieved the following year. Independence was obtained, and the name changed to just "Solomon Islands" (without the definite article), in 1978. At independence, Solomon Islands became a constitutional monarchy. The King of Solomon Islands is Charles III, who is represented in the country by a governor-general appointed on the advice of the prime minister.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Census, cataloged

Major islands1
Minor islands2,044
Islets4,254
Rocks & skerries1,306

Major islands

New Guinea
Area
774,566 km²
High point
4,884 m
New Guinea (also known as Papua or historically Irian) is the world's second-largest island, with an area of 785,753 km2 (303,381 sq mi). It has the third-largest remaining rainforest globally, and the highest plant biodiversity of any island.

Minor islands

199

New Britain
Area
35,352 km²
High point
2,334 m
Viti Levu
Area
10,637 km²
High point
1,324 m
Bougainville Island
Area
8,695 km²
High point
2,712 m
New Ireland
Area
7,010 km²
High point
2,340 m
Vanua Levu
Area
5,690 km²
High point
1,032 m
Guadalcanal
Area
5,360 km²
High point
2,335 m
Espiritu Santo
Area
3,940 km²
High point
1,879 m
Malaita
Area
3,721 km²
High point
1,293 m
Santa Isabel
Area
3,696 km²
High point
1,193 m
Choiseul Island
Area
3,103 km²
High point
989 m
Makira
Area
3,063 km²
High point
1,051 m
New Georgia
Area
2,055 km²
High point
899 m
Malakula Island
Area
2,041 km²
High point
877 m
Manus Island
Area
1,839 km²
High point
708 m
Fergusson Island
Area
1,325 km²
High point
1,930 m
New Hanover Island
Area
1,211 km²
High point
888 m
Efate
Area
894 km²
High point
647 m
Erromango
Area
890 km²
High point
850 m
Normanby Island
Area
888 km²
High point
971 m
Umboi Island
Area
866 km²
High point
1,609 m
Woodlark Island
Area
849 km²
High point
146 m
Rennell Island
Area
812 km²
High point
201 m
Vanatinai
Area
810 km²
High point
722 m
Goodenough Island
Area
704 km²
High point
2,536 m
Kolombangara
Area
687 km²
High point
1,770 m
Ambrym
Area
672 km²
High point
1,270 m
Vella Lavella
Area
648 km²
High point
760 m
Buka Island
Area
613 km²
High point
458 m
Tanna
Area
563 km²
High point
1,084 m
Nendö
Area
523 km²
High point
555 m
Vangunu
Area
513 km²
High point
1,076 m
Pentecost
Area
490 km²
High point
947 m
Epi
Area
443 km²
High point
833 m
Kadavu Island
Area
442 km²
High point
838 m
Taveuni
Area
436 km²
High point
1,241 m
South Malaita Island
Area
417 km²
High point
463 m
Long Island
Area
410 km²
High point
1,280 m
Aoba Island
Area
403 km²
High point
1,496 m
Karkar Island
Area
397 km²
High point
1,849 m
Rendova Island
Area
396 km²
High point
1,047 m
Mussau Island
Area
339 km²
High point
653 m
Vanua Lava
Area
332 km²
High point
958 m
Gaua
Area
308 km²
High point
797 m
Maewo
Area
302 km²
High point
811 m
Rossel Island
Area
296 km²
High point
801 m
Kiwai Island
Area
290 km²
High point
35 m
Kiriwina
Area
276 km²
High point
68 m
Samarai Islands
Area
262 km²
Nggela Sule Island
Area
215 km²
High point
395 m
Misima Island
Area
213 km²
High point
1,036 m
Shortland Island
Area
212 km²
High point
191 m
Lihir Island
Area
200 km²
High point
724 m
San Jorge Island
Area
200 km²
High point
464 m
Malo
Area
182 km²
High point
328 m
Banie
Area
177 km²
High point
923 m
Purutu Island
Area
174 km²
High point
36 m
Vanikoro
Area
173 km²
Aneityum
Area
160 km²
High point
804 m
Ranongga
Area
149 km²
High point
852 m
Gau Island
Area
141 km²
High point
700 m
Pavuvu Island
Area
126 km²
High point
542 m
Tetepare Island
Area
125 km²
High point
425 m
Nggela Pile Island
Area
124 km²
High point
349 m
Tatau Island
Area
116 km²
High point
373 m
Tabar Island
Area
109 km²
High point
627 m
Dyaul Island
Area
107 km²
High point
202 m
Ovalau
Area
106 km²
High point
622 m
Koro Island
Area
104 km²
High point
553 m
Basilaki Island
Area
102 km²
High point
506 m
Arundel Island
Area
99.9 km²
High point
146 m
Unnamed island
Area
95.1 km²
High point
105 m
Unnamed island
Area
94.1 km²
High point
37 m
Nggatokae Island
Area
93.6 km²
High point
874 m
Rambutyo Island
Area
93.2 km²
High point
286 m
Sideia Island
Area
93.1 km²
High point
377 m
Aibinio Island
Area
91.7 km²
High point
36 m
Ambitle
Area
88.3 km²
High point
500 m
Barora Ite
Area
84.5 km²
High point
189 m
Wagina Island
Area
82.7 km²
High point
84 m
Manam
Area
80.8 km²
High point
1,807 m
Unnamed island
Area
80.3 km²
High point
38 m
Pana Tinani
Area
75.7 km²
High point
322 m
Unnamed island
Area
75.4 km²
High point
43 m
Fauro Island
Area
71.9 km²
High point
548 m
Uramu Island
Area
70.7 km²
High point
35 m
Barora Fa
Area
70.6 km²
High point
284 m
Vonavona
Area
69 km²
High point
109 m
Rabi Island
Area
67.1 km²
High point
462 m
Mono Island
Area
66.8 km²
High point
347 m
Lolobau Island
Area
66.6 km²
High point
885 m
Rob Roy Island
Area
66.5 km²
High point
158 m
Moala Island
Area
65.4 km²
High point
460 m
Morigio Island
Area
65.1 km²
High point
34 m
Wabuda Island
Area
65.1 km²
High point
34 m
Utupua
Area
64 km²
High point
378 m
Ulawa Island
Area
62.9 km²
High point
365 m
Lakeba
Area
58.8 km²
High point
214 m
Unnamed island
Area
58.1 km²
High point
35 m
Aore
Area
58.1 km²
High point
140 m
Unnamed island
Area
57.2 km²
High point
32 m
Simberi Island
Area
55.7 km²
High point
305 m
Unnamed island
Area
55 km²
High point
32 m
Kairiru Island
Area
52.7 km²
High point
1,021 m
Garove
Area
52.7 km²
High point
394 m
Vanua Balavu
Area
52.5 km²
High point
250 m
Los Negros Island
Area
51.8 km²
High point
114 m
Abaurai Island
Area
51.4 km²
High point
35 m
Unnamed island
Area
50 km²
High point
31 m
Duke of York Island
Area
49.8 km²
High point
95 m
Gebaro Island
Area
48.6 km²
High point
34 m
Ini Island
Area
47.8 km²
High point
36 m
Hiw
Area
47.3 km²
High point
335 m
Sanaroa Island
Area
47.3 km²
High point
194 m
Mbanika
Area
47 km²
High point
242 m
Kaileuna Island
Area
45.2 km²
High point
48 m
Rotuma Island
Area
44.3 km²
High point
240 m
Tolokiwa Island
Area
44.3 km²
High point
1,369 m
Ibibubari Island
Area
43.6 km²
High point
38 m
Sakar Island
Area
43.4 km²
High point
992 m
Unnamed island
Area
42.9 km²
High point
38 m
Unnamed island
Area
42.9 km²
High point
29 m
Uki Ni Masi
Area
42.5 km²
High point
180 m
Goaribari Island
Area
42.1 km²
High point
37 m
Muschu Island
Area
40.1 km²
High point
144 m
Tongoa
Area
40.1 km²
High point
494 m
Unnamed island
Area
39.8 km²
High point
34 m
Ureparapara
Area
39 km²
High point
684 m
Ghaghe
Area
38.7 km²
High point
304 m
Unnamed island
Area
37.5 km²
High point
31 m
Beqa
Area
37.5 km²
High point
431 m
Nissan Island
Area
37 km²
Unnamed island
Area
36.8 km²
High point
36 m
Unnamed island
Area
36.7 km²
High point
35 m
Parama Island
Area
36.6 km²
High point
30 m
Wariura Island
Area
35.7 km²
High point
33 m
Qamea
Area
35.1 km²
High point
303 m
Cicia
Area
34.8 km²
High point
183 m
Naviti
Area
34.8 km²
High point
220 m
Bagabag Island
Area
34.3 km²
High point
650 m
Madau
Area
34.1 km²
High point
57 m
Emirau Island
Area
33.6 km²
High point
86 m
Vokeo Island
Area
33.4 km²
High point
614 m
Malendok Island
Area
33.2 km²
High point
469 m
Bristow Island
Area
33 km²
High point
28 m
Emae
Area
33 km²
High point
644 m
Unea Island
Area
32.8 km²
High point
600 m
Ghizo Island
Area
32.6 km²
High point
155 m
Umuda Island
Area
32.2 km²
High point
33 m
Mota Lava
Area
32.2 km²
High point
428 m
Tegua
Area
32.1 km²
High point
239 m
Kabara
Area
31.7 km²
High point
135 m
Paama
Area
31.6 km²
High point
538 m
Yasawa
Area
31.4 km²
High point
235 m
Unnamed island
Area
31.3 km²
High point
33 m
Unnamed island
Area
31.2 km²
High point
30 m
Totoya
Area
30.7 km²
High point
340 m
Tegua
Area
30.7 km²
High point
139 m
Vatulele
Area
30.6 km²
High point
45 m
Unnamed island
Area
30.5 km²
High point
38 m
Ono Island
Area
30.4 km²
High point
340 m
Unnamed island
Area
30.3 km²
High point
31 m
Panaeati Island
Area
30 km²
High point
207 m
Unnamed island
Area
29.8 km²
High point
33 m
Unnamed island
Area
29.7 km²
High point
31 m
Matuku Island
Area
29.7 km²
High point
370 m
Savo Island
Area
29.7 km²
High point
485 m
Lou Island
Area
29.7 km²
High point
213 m
Green Islands
Area
28.5 km²
High point
51 m
Lopevi
Area
28.5 km²
High point
1,430 m
Boang Island
Area
28.2 km²
High point
164 m
Unnamed island
Area
28 km²
High point
33 m
Nguna
Area
27.4 km²
High point
599 m
Abo Island
Area
27.3 km²
High point
33 m
Unnamed island
Area
26 km²
High point
30 m
Mbokonumbeta Island
Area
25.6 km²
High point
287 m
Selapiu Island
Area
25.2 km²
High point
104 m
Moso
Area
24.9 km²
High point
117 m
Unnamed island
Area
24.8 km²
High point
34 m
Nairai
Area
24.6 km²
High point
352 m
Nguna
Area
24.5 km²
High point
160 m
Babaibari Island
Area
24.2 km²
High point
34 m
Unnamed island
Area
24.1 km²
High point
34 m
Unnamed island
Area
23.6 km²
High point
25 m
Unnamed island
Area
23.4 km²
High point
32 m
Kuragimini Island
Area
23.4 km²
High point
26 m
Babase Island
Area
23.4 km²
High point
206 m
Mbava
Area
23.3 km²
High point
246 m
Pana Wina Island
Area
23.1 km²
High point
283 m
Kitava
Area
22.8 km²
High point
109 m
Sariba Island
Area
22.6 km²
High point
288 m
Baudisson Island
Area
22.4 km²
High point
41 m
Unnamed island
Area
22.3 km²
High point
41 m
Waya Island
Area
22.1 km²
High point
535 m
Nacula
Area
21.9 km²
High point
258 m
Mago Island
Area
21.9 km²
High point
207 m
Sumogi Island
Area
21.4 km²
High point
33 m
Unnamed island
Area
21.2 km²
High point
36 m
Unnamed island
Area
21.1 km²
High point
33 m
Langa Langa Lagoon
Area
21 km²

Rocks & skerries

1306

On the chart above, at its closest zooms.

Listing 200 of 7605; the rest are on the chart.

Figures

Comparative heights

Islands by area

km², log scale

Groups within

Overlapping groups

Photographs

Satellite picture of New Guinea
NASA, Cropped by User:Jklamo / Public domain
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Corey Idleburg / Public domain
Sgt. 1st Class Corey Idleburg / Public domain
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Kassie McDole / Public domain
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Todd / Public domain
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Todd / Public domain
Solomon Islands artefacts
Arbil44 / CC BY-SA 4.0
Mother and daughter volunteers Carol and Jo Brislane during their assignment in Munda, Solomon Islands
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade / CC BY 2.0
U.S. Navy C-LGWP by Leslie Hull-Ryde / Public domain
U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Woitzel / Public domain
U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Woitzel / Public domain
U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandie Nuzzi / Public domain

Sources

Facts

Geometry, areas and high points: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Copernicus GLO-30, via Talus.
Wikidata
Wikipedia

Photographs

PapuaNG. NASA, Cropped by User:Jklamo / Public domain
DPAA and MDSU Company 1-6 Conduct Dive Operations near Solomon Islands (7539952). U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Corey Idleburg / Public domain
DPAA and MDSU Company 1-6 Conduct Dive Operations near Solomon Islands (7539954). Sgt. 1st Class Corey Idleburg / Public domain
Eight Countries work together in largest Operation Render Safe to remove WWII UXO in Solomon Islands (8649819). U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Kassie McDole / Public domain
Forging Stronger Ties- DPAA Negotiates with Village Leaders in the Solomon Islands (8641816). U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Todd / Public domain
Forging Stronger Ties- DPAA Negotiates with Village Leaders in the Solomon Islands (8641822). U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Todd / Public domain
Laundry Basket. Arbil44 / CC BY-SA 4.0
Mother and daughter volunteers Carol and Jo Brislane during their assignment in Munda, Solomon Islands (10700707224). Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade / CC BY 2.0
Pacific Partnership 2022 Chaplain Conducts Interview as Mercy Moors in Solomon Islands (7392479). U.S. Navy C-LGWP by Leslie Hull-Ryde / Public domain
Pacific Partnership 2022 kicks off in Solomon Islands (7397505). U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Woitzel / Public domain
Pacific Partnership 2022 kicks off in Solomon Islands (7397506). U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Woitzel / Public domain
Pacific Partnership 2022 leadership visits with local leaders of Solomon Islands (7404266). U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandie Nuzzi / Public domain

New Guinea	774,566 km²
New Britain	35,352 km²
Viti Levu	10,637 km²
Bougainville Island	8,695 km²
New Ireland	7,010 km²
Vanua Levu	5,690 km²
Guadalcanal	5,360 km²
Espiritu Santo	3,940 km²
Malaita	3,721 km²
Santa Isabel	3,696 km²
Choiseul Island	3,103 km²
Makira	3,063 km²
New Georgia	2,055 km²
Malakula Island	2,041 km²
Manus Island	1,839 km²
Fergusson Island	1,325 km²
New Hanover Island	1,211 km²
Efate	894 km²
Erromango	890 km²
Normanby Island	888 km²
Umboi Island	866 km²
Woodlark Island	849 km²
Rennell Island	812 km²
Vanatinai	810 km²
Goodenough Island	704 km²
Kolombangara	687 km²
Ambrym	672 km²
Vella Lavella	648 km²
Buka Island	613 km²
Tanna	563 km²
Nendö	523 km²
Vangunu	513 km²
Pentecost	490 km²
Epi	443 km²
Kadavu Island	442 km²
Taveuni	436 km²
South Malaita Island	417 km²
Long Island	410 km²
Aoba Island	403 km²
Karkar Island	397 km²
Rendova Island	396 km²
Mussau Island	339 km²
Vanua Lava	332 km²
Gaua	308 km²
Maewo	302 km²
Rossel Island	296 km²
Kiwai Island	290 km²
Kiriwina	276 km²
Samarai Islands	262 km²
Nggela Sule Island	215 km²
Misima Island	213 km²
Shortland Island	212 km²
Lihir Island	200 km²
San Jorge Island	200 km²
Malo	182 km²
Banie	177 km²
Purutu Island	174 km²
Vanikoro	173 km²
Aneityum	160 km²
Ranongga	149 km²
Gau Island	141 km²
Pavuvu Island	126 km²
Tetepare Island	125 km²
Nggela Pile Island	124 km²
Tatau Island	116 km²
Tabar Island	109 km²
Dyaul Island	107 km²
Ovalau	106 km²
Koro Island	104 km²
Basilaki Island	102 km²
Arundel Island	99.9 km²
Unnamed island	95.1 km²
Unnamed island	94.1 km²
Nggatokae Island	93.6 km²
Rambutyo Island	93.2 km²
Sideia Island	93.1 km²
Aibinio Island	91.7 km²
Ambitle	88.3 km²
Barora Ite	84.5 km²
Wagina Island	82.7 km²
Manam	80.8 km²
Unnamed island	80.3 km²
Pana Tinani	75.7 km²
Unnamed island	75.4 km²
Fauro Island	71.9 km²
Uramu Island	70.7 km²
Barora Fa	70.6 km²
Vonavona	69 km²
Rabi Island	67.1 km²
Mono Island	66.8 km²
Lolobau Island	66.6 km²
Rob Roy Island	66.5 km²
Moala Island	65.4 km²
Morigio Island	65.1 km²
Wabuda Island	65.1 km²
Utupua	64 km²
Ulawa Island	62.9 km²
Lakeba	58.8 km²
Unnamed island	58.1 km²
Aore	58.1 km²
Unnamed island	57.2 km²
Simberi Island	55.7 km²
Unnamed island	55 km²
Kairiru Island	52.7 km²
Garove	52.7 km²
Vanua Balavu	52.5 km²
Los Negros Island	51.8 km²
Abaurai Island	51.4 km²
Unnamed island	50 km²
Duke of York Island	49.8 km²
Gebaro Island	48.6 km²
Ini Island	47.8 km²
Hiw	47.3 km²
Sanaroa Island	47.3 km²
Mbanika	47 km²
Kaileuna Island	45.2 km²
Rotuma Island	44.3 km²
Tolokiwa Island	44.3 km²
Ibibubari Island	43.6 km²
Sakar Island	43.4 km²
Unnamed island	42.9 km²
Unnamed island	42.9 km²
Uki Ni Masi	42.5 km²
Goaribari Island	42.1 km²
Muschu Island	40.1 km²
Tongoa	40.1 km²
Unnamed island	39.8 km²
Ureparapara	39 km²
Ghaghe	38.7 km²
Unnamed island	37.5 km²
Beqa	37.5 km²
Nissan Island	37 km²
Unnamed island	36.8 km²
Unnamed island	36.7 km²
Parama Island	36.6 km²
Wariura Island	35.7 km²
Qamea	35.1 km²
Cicia	34.8 km²
Naviti	34.8 km²
Bagabag Island	34.3 km²
Madau	34.1 km²
Emirau Island	33.6 km²
Vokeo Island	33.4 km²
Malendok Island	33.2 km²
Bristow Island	33 km²
Emae	33 km²
Unea Island	32.8 km²
Ghizo Island	32.6 km²
Umuda Island	32.2 km²
Mota Lava	32.2 km²
Tegua	32.1 km²
Kabara	31.7 km²
Paama	31.6 km²
Yasawa	31.4 km²
Unnamed island	31.3 km²
Unnamed island	31.2 km²
Totoya	30.7 km²
Tegua	30.7 km²
Vatulele	30.6 km²
Unnamed island	30.5 km²
Ono Island	30.4 km²
Unnamed island	30.3 km²
Panaeati Island	30 km²
Unnamed island	29.8 km²
Unnamed island	29.7 km²
Matuku Island	29.7 km²
Savo Island	29.7 km²
Lou Island	29.7 km²
Green Islands	28.5 km²
Lopevi	28.5 km²
Boang Island	28.2 km²
Unnamed island	28 km²
Nguna	27.4 km²
Abo Island	27.3 km²
Unnamed island	26 km²
Mbokonumbeta Island	25.6 km²
Selapiu Island	25.2 km²
Moso	24.9 km²
Unnamed island	24.8 km²
Nairai	24.6 km²
Nguna	24.5 km²
Babaibari Island	24.2 km²
Unnamed island	24.1 km²
Unnamed island	23.6 km²
Unnamed island	23.4 km²
Kuragimini Island	23.4 km²
Babase Island	23.4 km²
Mbava	23.3 km²
Pana Wina Island	23.1 km²
Kitava	22.8 km²
Sariba Island	22.6 km²
Baudisson Island	22.4 km²
Unnamed island	22.3 km²
Waya Island	22.1 km²
Nacula	21.9 km²
Mago Island	21.9 km²
Sumogi Island	21.4 km²
Unnamed island	21.2 km²
Unnamed island	21.1 km²
Langa Langa Lagoon	21 km²

Chart

Overview

Census, cataloged

Major islands

Minor islands

Samarai Islands

Vanikoro

Unnamed island

Unnamed island

Unnamed island

Unnamed island

Unnamed island

Unnamed island

Unnamed island

Unnamed island

Unnamed island

Unnamed island

Unnamed island

Unnamed island

Nissan Island

Unnamed island

Unnamed island