Sights of Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands: General Information Entertainment and Recreation
Guadalkanal Island, or Guadalkanal, is the largest in the Solomon Islands group (area of \u200b\u200b5,302 square meters. Km). The mountainous and intense island almost all are busy with the slopes and peaks of ancient volcanoes (Mount Gallohego, or Mount Galje, Popomanaso, Makarakombura, Tattus, Caiui - they all have a height of 2 km or more) and covered with dense cover of tropical vegetation.
Honiara
The capital of the islands is located on the northern coast of Guadalkanal, in the extensive bay between the peninsula Cape Esperance and Lunga Point, in the very place that De Mendan has called Puento Cruz.
Central Region.
The area occupies about 1000 square meters. The center of the central region lies around Guadalkanla and includes Savo Islands, Russeks, Nghel and Florida Group.
Savo.
Constantly shrouded in clouds Volcanic Island Savo, lying in the Iron Bottom Sound Strait, is a paradise for divers and fans of other species active rest.
Almost the complete absence of "civilization" is compensated by the abundance of sunken ships (there was a famous battle at the Savo Island), constantly smoking the volcanic crater and many practically boiling mineral sources, several ancient cult sites - mega farms, as well as a living bird community and magnificent crystal waters.
Florida
On the island of Florida, you can explore the old headquarters of the British colonial administration with its hospital and headquarters, as well as the Old Port Parvis, which served first by the British Navy base, and then the Japanese imperial fleet. And Anuha island is widely known for its white sandy shores.
Region Malaita
Eastern province, called the name by the name of the largest island of the group, is the second largest and most densely populated from the Solomon Islands, although many of its inhabitants live in major cities, like Honiara or Gizo, and in the villages and villages lost in the jungle and islands.
Malait Island
Distinctive feature of Malait Island - a huge number artificial islandswhich since ancient times were erected by local residents directly on the atolls or rocky islands of Lagun.
Western Oblast
Western province is considered a recognized country leader on the beauty of its shores and wealth underwater world. The largest among the provinces of the archipelago, it takes 8573 square kilometers (Vella-Lovely Islands, New Georgia and about fifty small islets and reefs), and only 19% of the population live here.
New Georgia Island
The largest salt lagoon in the world (its size is approximately 150 by 96 km), Marovo is located on New Georgia Island north of Wangun Island (in essence, this is the shed between the two islands, turned to the growth of coral reefs in the intermittent sushi ring surrounding the central lagoon).
Island Gizo.
The second in size of the city of Archipelago - Gizo is located on the island of the same name (approximately 370 km from Honiara), on the shore of the Western Won Lagoon, and is considered the capital of the Western region and one of the most popular resort areas of the country.
Plam Pudding Island
Favorite, although a sufficiently undisguised point of attraction for most tourists is the island of Plam Pudding, or Kennedy Island, who received his fame after the sorting of the PT-109 torpedo boat in August 1943, who commanded the future US President John F. Kennedy, and His team flew exactly on this tiny slush bar (now in his honor there are annual swimmers competitions on the JFK prize).
Schuazel region
Shuazelyl Island, or Laura, only recently (1995) stood out from the Western province to a separate administrative region. His population is also inhomogeneously, as in other places of the country, - about 16 thousand Melanesians live in the western half of the main island, and in the east and north they live with Gilbert Islands (about 2 thousand people).
Isabel region
The Spanish researcher Alvaro de Mendana da Neira opened Santa Isabel Isaabel Island in February 1568 and stepped ashore in the Bay, wearing the name of Estrela Bay in our days. Almost 75% of the local population, for the most part - Melanesians belonging to six tribal groups live the southeastern part of the island. The longest island of the archipelago, Santa Isabel is still quite low-examined.
Makira region
Southeast region Solomon includes Makira Islands (San Cristobal), Ulava, Uki-Ni-Masi, Ovaraha (Santa Ana), Karovka (Santa Catalina) and still with a dozen small blocks of the Earth, stretched toward Vanuatu .
Temperature area
Formerly called the eastern external islands, the area of \u200b\u200bthe temperature covers an area of \u200b\u200b926 square meters. km (islands) and 150 thousand square meters. KM Ocean in the most eastern part of Solomon Islands. This extensive archipelago from wide scattered islands is separated from the main group of the country of Torres with depths to 600 m.
Region Rennel and Bellona (Renbell)
The most southern island group, dedicated to an independent area in 1995, Rennell and Bellona lies south of Guadalcanal and south-west of Makira. These remote atolls were discovered by the captain of the merchant Matthew Boyd in 1793.
Rennell Island
Rennelle Island is considered the biggest sublime atoll on the planet (86 km x15 km), but its main attraction is the extensive Lake Tengano - the largest freshwater lake in the southern part Pacific Ocean (Now its area is about 15.5 thousand hectares), where there was a place for 200 islands for 200, and for large bird colonies, and for a variety of rare flora species, primarily orchids.
The archipelago will almost not affect tourism, a few people visits this poor country, but they all entail them to Solomon islands The genuine naturalness of all that will bring to see or visit. There is practically nothing artificial or specially created by tourists. Those travelers who are looking for extraordinary natural natural conditions will not be disappointed by anyone plot of this small country - the islands have a well-deserved reputation. It is possible to better place in the world, as if the very nature of the scabeling, snorkeling and fishing fans.
As in many Pacific Islands, the greatest attractiveness for visitors to Solomon Islands is the underwater world. The combination of exciting coral reefs, sunken ships and hundreds of places of falling aircraft during the Second World War, especially in the Guadalcanal area, makes scuba diving and snorkeling the most attractive choice of the form of rest. Despite the long, often bloody story of these places, the greatest historical interest of Solomon Islands represents as the strategic section of the Tich Ocean during the Second World War. Water Iron Bottom Sound from Guadalkanal - witnesses of the ferocious and bloody battles of American and English fleets with the Japanese, one of the largest landing and planning operations in the entire history of mankind was held here - in 1942-43. About 58 thousand American paratroopers landed at Guadalkanal, there are about 50 major warships of both parties in the waters of both parties, testifying to the destructive power of the battle.
There are many natural temptations for the tourist on Guadalkanal, but first of all guests visit the capital of the islands to Honiara. Many visitors say that their first impression from Honiara has a fairly disappointing shade - dusty and unprecedented quiet city. But only after a long time spent in the villages of the island, with numerous tours, jumping into water, cruises and excursion picnics with a constant sensation of turmoil, becomes apparent the peculiar charm of this city. One day is quite enough to inspect all the attractions of the capital, you can visit the shops selling articles of handicrafts, or enjoy local cafes, restaurants and bars with an explicit problem of traditional seafood dishes.
Point Cruz - Local Center, from where all the journeys on Honiare begins. In general opinion, this point, where the Spanish researcher Mendan has landed for the first time and installed the cross, is the center of the country. Now this is a place where boats and passenger ferries are loaded and unloading passengers, and local customs are manifested most interesting and colorfully. Also interesting parliament, National Museum and Cultural Center, Botanical gardens, nearby Water Pamp Williage ("Water Pump Village") and colorful, bright chinatown.
In two hours walking from Honiara are addictive two-way waterfalls Matanico. The waters of the river fall into the cave filled with elegant stalactites and stalagmites and then disappear somewhere in the depths of the island. During World War II, the cave served as shelter for Japanese soldiers who were trying to avoid capturing by the American paratroopers and the surroundings of her became the arena of fierce fighting.
Laguna Marovo is the best place of passive recreation and the best combination of scenic beauty and a rich traditional life. Visit the excursion program to the WORLD Herityage plot in Laguna, which is now the best tourist village in the country. The state support for this unique historical site is to try to limit the workpiece of the forest to preserve the unique composition of the flora and fauna inherent in this area, and in the future - to provide local residents to a viable source of income due to tourism for which there are all conditions here.
Western province with Vella-Lovely Islands, New Georgia and Shuazell, unsurpassed by the beauty of the shores and wealth of the underwater world, it can also boast of excellent beaches, Colombangar volcano 1770 m. Height, unique megado - ancient shrine of local residents, decorated with skulls, crocodile farm And the holiday of dance in Mbangopigo. On the island of Gizo is the village of Nusambaruk - a perfect example of an isolated traditional village. The whole village consists of only a few buildings that rise above the waters of the Solomonian sea on the piles. The village is actually available only from Gizo, the main city of the island (approximately 370 km from Honiara) and the second largest in the Solomon Islands. Traveling to the village is possible only by boats or by a narrow path-dam, but this is, oddly enough, much faster and more exciting journey than it may seem at first glance. Before entering the village, it is necessary to ask her permission from its residents and inform them that you want to see or do, then you can fully enjoy the hands of the aborigines and watch them everyday life.
A little further along the coast lies the fishing village of Malait. Since it is inhabited by migrants from other regions of Oceania, and first of all - by immigrants from Malait Island, this is an excellent opportunity to observe two different cultures, peacefully coexist for many centuries just a minute walk from each other.
The eastern province of Malaita has a wonderful provincial city named Auki (less than 100 km from Honiara). Until the 20s of the 20th century, the city had an impressive defensive wall around the perimeter, able to keep the attacks of hostile locals or even well armed Europeans for quite a long time. Today's auki, with a population of about 4 thousand inhabitants, is the most photogenic of cities in the country. Here you can make successful purchases or enjoy good even by local chariters. Travel routes begin with lagunas, artificial islands, and here you can witness an ancient rite of the practice of "call challenge" or a sufficiently dangerous way to catch it, when a diver, armed with only a rag and a spear (or a knife) going into confrontation alone with this Grozny sea predator.
The sharks are worshiped in many areas of Solomon Islands, but there is no more rituals and festivities on this sea predator than on Islands Laulaci and Bouus, which are 16 km away. from Auki. Believing that the ancestors are often reincarnated into sharks, local residents treat these animals to be revered and many of the sharks serve to the tantic signs of tribes and childbirth. The practice of "shark challenge" - an ancient art of lining the shark, and somehow local sorcerers manage to put the shark right in the water, and then raise them by hand to the surface !! A knock on the stones in certain places under water lures sharks to a depth of 30 cm., Where a little boy (necessarily !!) gives a predator capable of a snack to snack it in half, a piece of pork, thanks to her for a visit. Shark continues to swim around the lagoon, as if taking the gift. This ritual, as extremely dangerous, was banned in the 1970s, but many parts of this amazing custom are still practiced in many places. Since the meat of black pigs is used, then black and red (blood color) color is taboo on Laulaci and Bow, and visitors should take it into account when choosing clothes and jewelry for a trip. Many local residents tame a shark, starting with the smallest sharks and ending the largest and most terrible of them.
In an isolated eastern field, darkness you can visit the islands actually unaffected by modern civilization, see active volcanoes, become witnesses of old rituals and use as the money of red feathers of tropical birds - one of the most unusual currencies in the world.
Western Islands and Islands Anarvon, this is a group of more than 100 islands in Central Province Isabel, 280 km. From Honiara, is one of the most attractive waterways in the region. None of the islands are permanently inhabited, many only for a couple of dozen centimeters rise above sea level, but this area can boast, in addition to the largest land in the world, on which the eggs are laying the rarest sea turtles, also unsurpassed fishing. In 1995, a natural reserve was created here, in which visitors accompanies the whole staff of trained guides, specially followed by the behavior of tourists and controlling the life of the turtles - the local population is so raw and not yet fully recovered after many years of extermination of these unique animals, what is behavior Personnel is just necessary. However, the staff of the reservation workers is also engaged in the device and placement of tourists, so in any case, complaints about excessive annoying of the guides have not been received from anyone. The best way to islands - on the ocean canoe from the island of Vagina or Shuazell.
The life of the village on the Solomon Islands is still surrounded by many of the taboo. It would be impossible to explain the importance of all of them here, however, when visiting villages, caution should be taken and limit your curiosity as possible. The term "taboo" means "sacred" ("saint"), as well as "prohibited", so it should be borne in mind. The property rights are very important - the tree, the fruit or flower at the side of the road is most likely belonging to someone. For many islanders, income depends on what they will grow, so they will expect decent compensation if you dispel the fruit that was intended for sale. Clothing (or her absence) The islanders vary extremely, but travelers should always stay completely dressed. Many areas are considered to be "taboo" for a woman stand above men, and even more than a man, albeit a foreigner, should not be deliberately occupying the place below the woman. It is also forbidden to swim under canoe, in which there are women - it is later likely to be destroyed, and for many canoe islanders - the only means of extinguishing food. As in all cultures of the world, Taboo play the role of moral regulations or codes and are designed to protect the community, therefore it is not customary to punish the uninitiated, to which foreigners belong. But nevertheless, the observance of local customs is extremely preferably.
Crafts of Solomon Islands are extremely peculiar and have quite high aesthetic data despite the seeming simplicity. Elegant wood carving, fish bones or sinks can be found everywhere on the islands, and its forms can vary from decorative ritual balls in the field of Makira-Wław to a miniature gift canoe in the Western region, Malayite, Santa Anya and on the Islands of Ngengla.
Despite the domination of the Christian faith, traditional practice is still largely distributed, especially among the 75% population of the peripheral islands or living in the villages. Dancing, songs and stories depicting the past are common and make up the basis of all holidays on the islands. The islanders usually arrange holidays about the war, successful hunting, some events of the natural world around or the world of perfume, harvesting grain crops or successful fishing, so a series of festivities on the islands stretches almost continuously. In addition, some islanders believe in various forms of magic. The most common belief that after the death of the spirit of man lives for some time in sharks, birds or reptiles. This animal becomes sacred for some time and is prohibited by eating. And about the reverence of this taboo, it is also extremely necessary to arrange a holiday! Seven of the nine regions of the country are carried out, in addition, the annual holidays on the birthday of the Queen and Independence Day (in June and July, respectively) - this is the best time to see traditional dances.
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It is believed that the first people appeared on the territory of Solomon Islands approximately 30 thousand years ago, but the first organized agricultural settlements are dated here by the fourth millennium BC. Since then until the XVII century, our era, numerous Polynesian tribes rolled the waves through this land, leaving east, in the endless expanses of the Great Ocean. Some of them were settled in the Solomon Islands, forming an amazing culture in which various Melanesian, Polynesian and Micronesian traditions were mixed. In 1568, the Spanish navigator Don Alvaro de Mendanya da Neira (or Mendan de Neira) after three-month swimming in the Pacific Ocean opened big Island, named after him in honor of the Santa Isabel's holy patronage of his expedition, and then moved along the numerous islands of the Earth open to them, inflicting them on the map and magicia of Spanish names. Mendanya called this archipelago to the Western Islands, or Isla de Solomon, in honor of the Biblical king Solomon, and the largest of the detected Islands was made in honor of the native village of one of the crew members - Guadalkanal (Alvaro de Mendanya himself died in 1595 in 1595 On Santa Cruz during his second expedition to the islands).
Due to the small study of the region of the archipelago and its complex hydrography, the Europeans could not discover the Islands found by Menden's Islands for a long time, and only in August 1767, British Captain Philipp Carteret inflicted on the Bougainville map, and D "Antrkstalko held a shot of the central part of the archipelago and finally identified guadalkanal with an island , Described by almost two centuries ago. Then, for more than a hundred years old about the islands, everything, except for missionaries and slave traders, however, and the first and second and the second and second, the cruel repulsive of local residents receive here. The islanders quickly understood the danger emanating from a white man, and began to kill anyone. The European, who turned out to be in their field of view, that he won the islands reputation as the most unlucky land in the Pacific.
In 1893, the United Kingdom announced its protectorate over the archipelago, prohibit the slave trade and the founding of the capital on the island of Tulagi (Florida), where the court was divided, and also built a hospital, a trading mission and the club. And for another fifty years about the Solomon Islands, everyone forgot everything - until the Second World War, only Tulaagi remained evidence of a certain European presence. But during the war in the Pacific, the word "Guadalkanal" entered all the languages \u200b\u200bof the world - the islands became the arena of fierce fights between the Imperial Fleet of Japan and the US Navy - from August 1942 to December 1943, there were 14 major maritime battles here, and the bloody battles for Guadalkanal, Bougainville and Tulagi entered all textbooks.
After the war, nationalist (and pro-American), the configured movement for the independence of Malaita opposed British domination. Mass repressions 1947-1948 slightly reduced the heat of passions, but could not stop the struggle against colonial dominion, and at the beginning of the 50s of the 20th century began the gradual transition of Solomon Islands to independence. At the beginning of the 1960s, the United Kingdom legalized local authorities, then regional assembly were founded and, finally, in 1970, the Management Board was elected from the local residents. The independence of Solomon Islands was provided on July 7, 1978.
Like the next Vanuatu, this land is still almost isolated from the surrounding world, is an example of amazing natural contrasts and endless opportunities for various adventures, where almost impassable jungle, high mountain peaks, mighty volcanoes, countless atolls, pure mountain rivers with waterfalls and blue lagoon. It is believed that no other Pacific archipelago has a more diverse nature at such a complex combination of geology and climatic conditions. The archipelago will practically not affect tourism, because on Earth a little wishes to visit this poor and isolated country. But many entails the genuine naturalness of all that will bring to see or visit. There is no practically nothing artificial or specially created by tourists, and the nature of the islands, without exaggeration called the extraordinary, creates a reputation, possibly one of the last plates of the planet, as if specifically designed for extreme types of recreation. Here are truly unique conditions for diving, snorkeling, studying the history of the Second World War, ethnography, sailing and sports fishing.
Guadalkanal
Guadalkanal Island, or Guadalcanal, is the largest land plot in the Solomon Islands group (area of \u200b\u200b5302 square meters. Km). Higher from the depths of the ocean, like some kind of prehistoric lamb, mountainous and inhumatical island, almost all are busy with the slopes and peaks of ancient volcanoes (Mount Gallego, or Mount Galje, Popomanaso, Makarakurubura, Tattus, Caiui - all of them have a height of 2 km or more) and covered with dense cover of tropical vegetation. Its mountainous relief does not leave people for the housing of other places, except for a very narrow coastal strip surrounding the entire island, only in the north, in the Gendar Field area (Henderson) and Honiara moving into a small plain. South coast The rocky and wears the semi-deform name of the Weather-Coast ("Weather Coast"), since the life of people here is entirely dependent on the state of the weather. The swampy shores and the hot and wet climate make it difficult to life on Guadalcanal, however, about 40% of the country's population lives here, the capital of the archipelago and its main administrative institutions are located.
Honiara
The capital of the islands is located on the northern coast of Guadalkanal, in the extensive bay between the peninsula Cape Esperance and Lunga Point, in the very place that De Mendan has called Puento Cruz. Small and fairly picturesque sea \u200b\u200bport Honiara leads its origin from the tiny fishing village, whose name is Nho-Ni-Ara can be translated as "the place where East and South-Eastern Wind faces" (for local defects are very characterized by similar "flowery" names). The city is very young - most of his modern buildings were built immediately after the end of World War II, when it took place to find a place for the new capital of the archipelago (Tuulaagi suffered a lot during the fighting, and not the most successful place for him was chosen). In 1952, Honiara officially became the capital of Solomon Islands.
Honiara is perhaps the only more or less large settlement of the archipelago - except for fifty thousand local people, focused on the square hardly 1.5 square meters. km, here are constantly going on for shopping, work and recreation Residents of other islands. Almost all his life boils along the Cucumber Highway Highway connecting the region of Gende Field in the East to White River in the West. Along this highway and the main street of the city - Mendan-Avenue continuing (Mendan - so the islands, the name of their islands is pronounced) with almost all the main objects of the capital infrastructure - the National Hospital, a complex of portal structures, the market and recently affected by the chinese quarter riots.
The building of the National Parliament, open in 1993, is sharply allocated among the buildings around him with his conical form, and it is he who is considered to be the center of Honiara. Restored Old Government House These days are given under the Complex of the National Museum with an extensive collection on the history and culture of the country, and its park serves as a popular seating destinations. Opposite the original building of the Hotel Mendan (Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel) is towers, and there is a tourist office of the country between him and the yacht club. Nearby are the National Archive (the most extensive assembly of historical materials about the country is open to the public from 9.00-10.00 to 16.00-17.00) and the public library behind the office of the public papers.
The large modern building of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands has an original historical exposition telling how it is not difficult to guess, about the features of the local monetary system, the money traditional for the countries of the region is exhibited in the form of beams of red feathers or shells of Kauri, as well as a small exposition of the works of local wood cutters .
Bully below Mendan-Avenue, between the office of the Solomon Islands broadcasting corporation (SIBC) and the Rove prison, the Honiara Bedanic Gardens begin, famous for their collection of local plants (the gardens area is quite small, and the collection looks like a modest one, however, to assess its importance. , It is enough to imagine what time it would be worth seeing all these orchids and lianas in natural local conditions). Here, on Mendan Avenue, in a small park, located almost opposite the building of the Central Bank, there is a melanezia cultural village with its typical local buildings from palm leaves and wicker mats. This colorful mini-museum specializes in demonstrations of traditions, rites and crafts of various areas of Solomon Islands.
Always noisy and colorful markets selling vegetables, all sorts of tropical fruits, fish, betels, sinks and handicraft products, can be found throughout the week near the urban berth, as well as in Rove and Cucumber (Honiara suburbs). An excellent fish market is located in Fisherman-Village, or Lau - a small fishing village of 5 km from the city, inhabited mainly from Malaita Province. Even if no of the goods did not like, these places should be visited only in order to watch the everyday life of the islanders, their colorful culture and language, because merchants from the most remote villages of the archipelago are collected. A Chinese quarter is considered the commercial heart of the city, or Chinatown, located almost in the city center, at the Matikae Bridge. He strongly affected during the recent unrest, he still continues to remain a fairly picturesque area of \u200b\u200bwarehouses, shops and numerous mini-mansions built in a traditional "colonial style" with wooden verandas and iron roofs.
Many tourists note that the first impression of Honiara is quite disappointed - pretty dusty and unprecedentedly quiet city practically does not have any outstanding monuments of history or culture. One day is enough to inspect all the attractions of the capital, as well as bypass most local markets and craft shops. However, the capital is the only place where you can go on a tour of the island in the territory of the island, and where, most likely, you will have to return, since there are no more or less worthy means of placement beyond its limits. However, it is remembered to many as one of the most isolated places on Earth, where you can sit in a restaurant or bar with an explicit predominance of traditional seafood dishes, wander along the shore or to go fishing straight out of the Song of those who surround any institution or private house palm. And a few west of the coastal feature, near the town of Pokh, is a good Bonigi Beach and the Experimental Station Study of Giant Mollusks (ICLARM) - a peculiar farm of these relic of marine inhabitants, always appreciated by the locals for their taste and therefore on the verge of extinction.
Around the capital
To the east of Honiara is a complex of church school BeticaWidely well-known handicrafts (clay dishes, metal and wood work, most of them can be bought right in place) and a small museum of relics of the Second World War. Nearby is a village Tenar., near which the sixtyth meters of the eponymous waterfall is noisy. 7 km east of the capital stretched the village Mavasser, considered the center of Moro's movement. It deserves attention to a small museum, designed to preserve the historical and spiritual values \u200b\u200bof the traditional local life. Even east, between Guadalkanal and the tiny island of Tavanipupua, water spread Marau Sound With their huge coral reefs, which are replete with various maritime animals.
10 km from the capital lie beautiful "double-sided" waterfalls Matanico. The waters of the river of the same name are drunk here with a high cliff right in the cave filled with elegant stalactites and stalagmites, and then disappear somewhere in the depths of the island. There are many large enough around and, which is important, clean water bodies suitable for swimming, and in the cave itself there is an extensive population of swallows and bats. During the Second World War, this cave served as shelter for the last soldiers of the Japanese garrison of Guadalcanal, and its neighborhood became the arena of fierce fights (according to different estimates from 400 to 600, the soldiers of the imperial army found their death in the cave itself, resisting literally to the last cartridge).
The fields of combat times of the Second World War are generally among the main attractions of Guadalkanal as a whole and the surroundings of Honiara in particular. It was in these places that the most fierce contractions were boiled between the Japanese garrison of the island and surpassed them in numbers of several dozen times the US marines. Self international Airport Genderson Field (Henderson Field, named after Major Marine Corps the United States, who died during the Battle of Midoue) leads its origin from the runway, which the Japanese began to build, and the Americans have been completed. It was for this block of sushi that stubborn battles unfolded, during which both parties suffered the most tangible losses (according to different estimates from 24 to 38 thousand people only on land). Therefore, it is not surprising that traces of that war are in abundance around the capital and airport, and the nearby waters are literally risen in fragments of various military equipment. I wonder that one of the straits leading to Guadalcanal, still wears the official name of Iron Bott ("Iron bottom"), and for its cleaning of ships and aircraft, the government of Solomon Islands was even going to present an account of the United States and Japan until It rates that profits that tourists can be learned from visiting these places, as well as fans of military history and divers from these countries.
On the Skyline Ridge Ridge and Mount Mount Austin rises a US Memorial Park with a detailed description of the battle for the island, as well as the Japanese world memorial with its four white monoliths. There are organized tours to places, whose names themselves speak for themselves for themselves - to the shore of Iron-Bottom-Sound, for the Bludi-Ridge Ridge, Alligator Creek and Red Beach, to the Japanese Memorial in the Poha River and his village museum of Vila (also Deals the history of fights for Guadalcanal), Mansa Lunga Point and to the Bay of the Teter.
The southern coast (Weser-Coast) is quite deserted and nonexime. From all of its attractions, only the town can be noted Tulagi (not to be confused with the old capital of the archipelago on the island of Florida) with its crafts and good conditions for marine fishing, as well as village Komuulu - Another Moro Moro Center with colorful local architecture and tiny museum. And deep in the heart tropical forest Guadalkanal, on the slopes of the Mountain chain of Lhamas (Lamas), luxurious luxury waterfalls Vihona (VIONA), affordable, unfortunately, only a helicopter.
Central Region.
The area occupies about 1000 square meters. The center of the central region lies around Guadalkanla and includes Savo Islands, Russeks, Nghel and Florida Group. Once served as the archipelago center (on the island of Florida is the old capital of Solomon Islands - the town of Tulagi), after the second world, she practically lost its importance, since many infrastructure facilities were destroyed during battles, and those that were built by flashing armies were explicitly wore a temporary character and Quickly came into disrepair. Therefore, most modern attractions of the region are associated either with traces of those fights, or with sea and good local shores.
Permanent clouds volcanic island Savo.Lying in the Iron Bottom Sound Strait is a paradise for divers and fans of other types of outdoor activities. Almost complete absence of infrastructure is compensated by the abundance of sunken vessels (it was here that the famous battle of Savo island), constantly smoking a volcanic crater and many practically boiling mineral springs, several ancient cultite segmentation sites, as well as a living bird community and magnificent crystal waters. On the island Florida You can see the old headquarters of the British colonial administration with its hospital and headquarters, as well as the Old Port Parvis, which served first by the British Navy base, and then the Japanese imperial fleet. A island Anuha. Widely known for its white sandy shores.
Region Malaita
The Eastern Province, which is called by the name of the largest island of the group, is the second largest and most densely populated from Solomon Islands, although many of its residents do not live in large cities, like Honiara or Gizo, but in the villages lost in the jungle and towns. The major islands of Malaita are inhabited by Melazaneians (about 96 thousand people), and the Polynesian tribes (about 2 thousand people) live on the Atollah of Onongg-Jawa (Lord Hau). It was these islands that made the maximum contribution to the reputation of Solomon as non-microgenic islands, and by virtue of the same reason, the ancient folk traditions and rituals were preserved as much as possible.
Distinctive feature of the island Malaita - A huge number of artificial islands, which since ancient times was built by local residents directly on the atolls or rocky islands of Lagun. The lack of land suitable for processing is simply for housing, forced Malayants from the century to the century to pour artificial shores from crushed coral or rubble between the piles driven into the bottom, which the sea turned very quickly into a rather durable monolith. Nowadays, about 12 thousand islanders out of 15 tribal groups are concentrated on these man-made islands, especially common in Langu-Langa Langa lagoon, and Malaita lives one of the last relict tribes of the planet - the Quavio group (QUAIO). It was in these places that the ancient cult of worship of sharks was preserved, in which, according to local beliefs, the souls of the ancestors are filmed. For sharks, local residents are reversible and many of these oldest cartilage fish serve to the Tenic signs of tribes and childbirth.
Aclaus worship in many areas of Solomon Islands, but there is no longer more rituals and festivities dedicated to this sea predator than on the islands Laulaci and Bus In Langa-Lang Lagoon, which lie 16 km from the capital of Malait Island. From Auki can be reached by the boat to the artificial islands of the Lagoon and here to witness an ancient rite of the practice of the "call challenge" or a rather dangerous way to catch it when the diver, armed with only a rag and a spear (or a knife), enters the confrontation one to one with this formidable Sea predator. Although more often, tourists show no less shocking spectacle to communicate with shark. Many locals tame a shark from the smallest sharks and ending with the largest and most terrible of them. The practice of "Call Akula" is an ancient art of lining a predator, and somehow local sorcerers manage to put the shark right in the water and then raise them by hand to the surface !! A knock on the stones in certain places under water lures sharks to a depth of 30 cm, where a little boy (necessarily !!) gives a predator capable of snacking him in half, a piece of pork, thanks to her for a visit. Shark continues to swim around the lagoon, as if taking the gift. This ritual, as extremely dangerous, was banned in the 1970s, but some parts of this amazing custom are still practiced in many places. Since the meat of black pigs is used, then black and red (blood color) color - taboo on Laulaci and Bow (and on many other area islands too), and visitors should take it into account when choosing clothes and jewelry for the trip.
Small town Ayuki. (The population of about 4 thousand people) since 1920 is the capital of Malait region. Until the 20s of the 20th century, the city had an impressive defensive wall throughout the perimeter, capable of holding the attacks of hostile locals or even well-armed Europeans for quite a long time, which predetermined his choice as the capital. Today's Auki is perhaps the most photographic city of the country and can boast enough decent for these places the choice of shops, hotels and restaurants, plus good, even by local standards, kitchen. From here you can get to the village Lilisana In Langa-Lang lagoon (it is believed that the inhabitants of this particular settlement invented the technology of making pile buildings and artificial islands), to the beautiful beaches of the lagoon itself, in the picturesque cultural villages Alite, Anoano, Aofia, Aumea, Maeyaen, Manafe and Uru (A preliminary arrangement is required), as well as in the already mentioned cultural village Bouus, which, in addition to rituals with sharks, is able to offer a lot of other interesting rituals.
Western Oblast
The Western province is considered a recognized country leader on the beauty of its shores and the wealth of the underwater world. The largest among the provinces of the archipelago, it takes 8573 square kilometers (Vella-Lovely Islands, New Georgia and about fifty small islets and reefs), and only 19% of the population live here. Often called in conversations just West ("West"), it attracts a lot of extreme lovers and water species Rest, it is also, perhaps, the country's most developed area of \u200b\u200bthe country area is built here about 16 quite modern resorts, clearly-focused on diving, including one of the best Uepi Island Resort in the famous Marso Lagoon.
The largest salted lagoon in the world (its size is about 150 by 96 km), Marso Located on the island of New Georgia to the north of Wangun Island (in fact, it is a shed between the two of these islands, transformed by the growth of coral reefs in the intermittent Sushi Ring surrounding the central lagoon). This is a huge water space with a narrow strip of coral beaches around the perimeter and amazing blue water is a candidate for entering the list. World Heritage UNESCO. Literally thousands of islands frame the lagoon Marovo, from tiny coral reefs to massive volcanic rocks up to 1600 meters high, and many of them still show signs of active volcanic activity, but are quite accessible to visiting. Laguna Marovo is the best place to relax by the sea, is a unique combination of the scenic beauty of wildlife and the rich traditions of local residents (the shores of the lagoon inhabit two separate tribes - Marovo and Roviana). Resorts Matikuri Resort, Rogosakena Eco Resort and Uepi Island Resort, and Uepi Island Resort, as well as a plot of traditional village Warld Heritjwhich is considered the best tourist village in the country. It is limited to the workpiece of the forest to preserve the unique composition of the flora and fauna inherent in this area, excellent conditions for marine fishing have been created (Laguna is associated with an open sea of \u200b\u200balmost hundreds of passages in reefs, therefore the species composition of its inhabitants is more than impressive), and traditional crafts of local residents From wood and shells are widely known far beyond the country.
The second in size of the city of the archipelago - Gizo Located on the island of the same name (approximately 370 km from Honiara), on the shore of Wing-Bone lagoon, and is considered the capital of the Western region and one of the most popular resort areas of the country. Its snow-white isolated shores and beaches, numerous coral islands and the atolls, literally growing from the depths of the ocean, traditional villages and excellent conditions for marine fishing, snorkeling and diving created him a lot of fame among fans of an active holiday. At the same time, the island itself is not much different in terms of its development from the fact that they saw the fighting parties during the time of the battle for Guadalkanal. On Gizo you can rent a private boat and explore magnificent coral reefs won-catch lagoon or New Georgia, make a dive to numerous ships and aircraft who died in these waters during the last war, climb volcano Colombanganga (1770 m), as well as to see Megapod - the ancient shrine of local tribes, crocodile farm, pile village Nusambaruka or visit the holiday of dance in Mbangopigo.
Favorite, although a sufficiently idle point of attraction for most tourists is the island Plam Pudding, or Kennedy Island, who gained his fame after the rusting of the PT-109 torpedo boat in August 1943, who was commanded by the future US President John F. Kennedy, - he and his team were saved on this tiny landing (now in his honor annual competitions are held Swimmers on the JFK prize). You can also make an excursion to a small fishing village MalaitaSeveled from other regions of Oceania is an excellent opportunity to observe various cultures, peacefully coexisting for many centuries just a minute walk from each other. However, you can get to most local villages here only by boat or by narrow, often almost impassable roads under the crowns of thick forest.
Schuazel region
Shuazelyl Island, or Laura, only recently (1995) stood out from the Western province to a separate administrative region. His population is also inhomogeneously, as in other places of the country, - about 16 thousand Melanesians live in the western half of the main island, and in the east and north they live with Gilbert Islands (about 2 thousand people). Most of the coast of Shoazyloil is an extremely narrow strip, limited to the sushi by mountain ridges and jungle, and from the sea - large shallow swamps and literally wall of the moisture of moisture vegetation. Therefore, it is quite difficult to explore it, and all excursions are held either in the shoisel bay, the river Sui with its waterfalls and the tiny capital Kumbakale, Near which the coast is more favorable for movement, either by sea - in the form of a weekly cruise along the shores of the island with a visit to local villages and immersion under water (however, except good reefs there is nothing remarkable - the fighting World War I was much south-east of this region ).
Isabel region
The Spanish researcher Alvaro de Mendana da Neira opened Santa Isabel Isaabel Island in February 1568 and stepped ashore in the Bay, wearing the name of Estrela Bay in our days. Almost 75% of the local population, for the most part - Melanesians belonging to six tribal groups live the southeastern part of the island. The longest island of the archipelago, Santa Isabel is still quite low-insured, which a lot contributes to the almost complete absence of roads (the only plot that deserves the name of the road stretches from the capital of the island Bouala to the village of Kaevang on the south coast), so all movements between settlements Islands are underway by sea. Here is the center of sightseeing activities, the most popular object of which is the island Arnavon (Amavon), also known as the "Telep Island", since it is here that the natural zone of breeding bissors is located here - the rarest sea turtles. None of almost a hundred islands and reefs of the Arnavon group, stretching between Santa Isabel and Rob-Roy Island, is not constantly inhabited, many only for a couple of dozen centimeters rise above sea level, so this area can be proud of also unsurpassed fishing. In 1991, it was created here Sea Natural Reserve Arnavonwhose zone stretches from the coast of Santa Isabel to Shoazelyl. When visiting the territory of the park, visitors accompanies the whole staff of specially trained guides from among the residents of local villages (2 people from each community), following the behavior of tourists and controlling the life of the turtles, - the local population is so raseny and has not yet fully recovered after many years of extermination of these Unique animals that such personnel behavior is simply necessary.
Also deserve the foil village Kia In the north of the island, all the movement on which is conducted on the canoe, and South-West Island San Jug (San Horg, is known in local mythology as the habitat of the spirits of the dead - here they really have different strange phenomena). Most local villages have good mini-hotels with excellent local standards and service level, and the main souvenir of these places is a tapping cortex fabric (paper mulberry), painted in a blue color of local orchides.
Makira region
Southeast region Solomon includes Makira Islands (San Cristobal), Ulava, Uki-Ni-Masi, Ovaraha (Santa Ana), Karovka (Santa Catalina) and still with a dozen small blocks of the Earth, stretched toward Vanuatu . The compact island group (all of the islands are located about 35-38 km away from each other, with the exception of the Ulava, which is 75 km south of San Cristobal) covers an area of \u200b\u200babout 3188 square meters. km and populated 30 thousand people (two thirds of them live on the northern coast of San Cristobal). Highlands (up to 1040 m on San Cristobal) and strongly wetlands literally dissected by rivers and streams (almost every 2-5 km in the sea, any watercourse is poured), belonging to the "raw" in the country. Since the islands for a long time were isolated from the world around, there are many relic forms of plants and animals, the same applies to people - the Bauro tribal group is considered scientists with one of the most isolated and conservative ethnic groups in the region.
The main fame of the islands brought local masters of folk dances - in almost every village there are own troupes, well-known far beyond the limits of Solomon Islands. The most colorful dance performances with almost complete preservation of ancient traditions can be seen in Star-Harbor., in the village Natahanger, on islands Ovaraha (Santa Ana), Karovka (Santa Catalina), three-system and Ulav. Here you can also purchase products of national applied classes. And in the abundant caves and extremely hard-to-reach mountainous regions of San Cristobal, as local residents consider, the "Pacific Ocean gnomes" are still inhabited by "Kakameor" races, which is attributed to any mythical properties.
Temperature area
Formerly called the eastern external islands, the area of \u200b\u200bthe temperature covers an area of \u200b\u200b926 square meters. km (islands) and 150 thousand square meters. KM Ocean in the most eastern part of Solomon Islands. This extensive archipelago from wide scattered islands is separated from the main group of the country of Torres with depths of up to 600 m. Three groups of volcanic islands (Santa Cruz, Tinakula and White) are surrounded by low coral atols of the nearby Reef Island Islands and located on the most East Isolated dead volcanoes Duff Islands, Ticopia and Anua. This area is actually intact with modern civilization, and the inhabitants of its islanders differ in their origin from the residents of the remaining Solomon Islands. The only sights here are the active volcanoes of the island. Tinacula, colorful rites of local tribes (it is typical that the beams of red feathers of tropical birds are still used as a monetary unit - one of the most unusual currencies on the planet), a village Bola On Santa Cruz with her unusual population, in whose veins the blood of Spanish sailors from the ships Alvaro de Mendanya (it was here that the navigator himself and 47 members of his crew himself), as well as the most beautiful bay Gracios..
Region Rennel and Bellona (Renbell)
The most southern island group, dedicated to an independent area in 1995, Rennell and Bellona lies south of Guadalcanal and south-west of Makira. These remote atolls were discovered by the captain of the merchant Matthew Boyd in 1793. Now this area occupies area 671 square meters. CM and inhabited only 2.5 thousand people, is one of the natural nature reserves of nature and Polynesian traditions. Capital of the region - town Tigoa Lies on the island of Rennell, or Mu-Nghava, as it is called the islanders themselves, and Bellona, \u200b\u200bor Mu-Ngiki, is widely known as the land of excellent carpenters and wood cutters.
Island Rennell It is considered the largest sublime atoll on the planet (86x15 km), but the main feature of its uniqueness is the stretched lake of Tengano - the largest freshwater lake in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean (now its area is about 15.5 thousand hectares), on which its area is about 15.5 thousand hectares) There was a place for 200 islands, and for large bird colonies, and for a variety of rare flora species, primarily orchids. It is not difficult to guess that in the era of the formation of the island of the lake was an extensive lagoon, which, as it raises the surrounding sushi over the water, gradually crushed, although the water still remains slightly straly. Therefore, now here you can find completely unique views of the once sea fish, the very nature of the transformed into freshwater (the only analogue is a lake Titicaca in South American Andes). Because of its unique natural conditions and specific ecology, the eastern part of the island, together with the Lake Todgano, was declared a national park of wildlife (an area of \u200b\u200b37 thousand hectares), subsequently on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
Noticeably smaller and quiet Bellona (Mu-Ngiki) lies northwest Rennella and has rich phosphate deposits, as well as many residential caves of the earliest inhabitants of the region - the legendary people of Chiti. Here you can see the specific people's kind of struggle - Hetakai, which exists on the islands at least in the last 600 years.
ATTRACTIONS Like the next Vanuatu, this land is still almost isolated from the surrounding world, is an example of amazing natural contrasts and endless opportunities for various adventures, where almost impassable jungle, high mountain peaks, mighty volcanoes, countless atolls, pure mountain rivers with waterfalls and blue lagoon. It is believed that no other Pacific archipelago has a more diverse nature with such a complex combination of geology and climatic conditions. The archipelago will practically not affect tourism, because on Earth a little wishes to visit this poor and isolated country. But many entails the genuine naturalness of all that will bring to see or visit. There is no practically nothing artificial or specially created by tourists, and the nature of the islands, without exaggeration called the extraordinary, creates a reputation, possibly one of the last plates of the planet, as if specifically designed for extreme types of recreation. Here are truly unique conditions for diving, snorkeling, studying the history of the Second World War, ethnography, sailing and sports fishing. Guadalkanal Guadalkanal Island, or Guadalcanal, is the largest land plot in the Solomon Islands group (area of \u200b\u200b5302 square meters. Km). Higher from the depths of the ocean, like some kind of prehistoric lamb, mountainous and inhumatical island, almost all are busy with the slopes and peaks of ancient volcanoes (Mount Gallego, or Mount Galje, Popomanaso, Makarakurubura, Tattus, Caiui - all of them have a height of 2 km or more) and covered with dense cover of tropical vegetation. Its mountainous relief does not leave people for the housing of other places, except for a very narrow coastal strip surrounding the entire island, only in the north, in the Gendar Field area (Henderson) and Honiara moving into a small plain. South Coast Rocky and wears the semi-official name of the Weser-Coast ("Weather Coast"), since the life of people here is entirely dependent on the state of the weather. The swampy shores and the hot and wet climate make it difficult to life on Guadalcanal, however, about 40% of the country's population lives here, the capital of the archipelago and its main administrative institutions are located. Honiara The capital of the islands is located on the northern coast of Guadalkanal, in the extensive bay between the peninsula Cape Esperance and Lunga Point, in the very place that De Mendan has called Puento Cruz. The small and enough picturesque seaport of Honiara leads its origin from the tiny fishing village, whose name is Nho-Ni-Ara can be translated as "a place where East and South-Eastern Wind faces" (for local defects are very characterized by similar "flowery" names) . The city is very young - most of his modern buildings were built immediately after the end of World War II, when it took place to find a place for the new capital of the archipelago (Tuulaagi suffered a lot during the fighting, and not the most successful place for him was chosen). In 1952, Honiara officially became the capital of Solomon Islands. Honiara is perhaps the only more or less large settlement of the archipelago - except for fifty thousand local people, focused on the square hardly 1.5 square meters. km, here are constantly going on for shopping, work and recreation Residents of other islands. Almost all his life boils along the Cucumber Highway Highway connecting the region of Gende Field in the East to White River in the West. Along this highway and the main street of the city - Mendan-Avenue continuing (Mendan - so the islands, the name of their islands is pronounced) with almost all the main objects of the capital infrastructure - the National Hospital, a complex of portal structures, the market and recently affected by the chinese quarter riots. The building of the National Parliament, open in 1993, is sharply allocated among the buildings around him with his conical form, and it is he who is considered to be the center of Honiara. Restored Old Government House These days are given under the Complex of the National Museum with an extensive collection on the history and culture of the country, and its park serves as a popular seating destinations. Opposite the original building of the Hotel Mendan (Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel) is towers, and there is a tourist office of the country between him and the yacht club. Nearby are the National Archives and the Public Library for the Office of the Public Works Department. The large modern building of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands has an original historical exposition telling how it is not difficult to guess, about the features of the local monetary system, the money traditional for the countries of the region is exhibited in the form of beams of red feathers or shells of Kauri, as well as a small exposition of the works of local wood cutters . Bully below Mendan-Avenue, between the office of the Solomon Islands broadcasting corporation (SIBC) and the Rove prison, the Honiara Bedanic Gardens begin, famous for their collection of local plants (the gardens area is quite small, and the collection looks like a modest one, however, to assess its importance. , It is enough to imagine what time it would be worth seeing all these orchids and lianas in natural local conditions). Here, on Mendan Avenue, in a small park, located almost opposite the building of the Central Bank, there is a melanezia cultural village with its typical local buildings from palm leaves and wicker mats. This colorful mini-museum specializes in demonstrations of traditions, rites and crafts of various areas of Solomon Islands. Around the capital To the east of Honiara is a complex of church school BeticaWidely well-known handicrafts (clay dishes, metal and wood work, most of them can be bought right in place) and a small museum of relics of the Second World War. Nearby is a village Tenar., near which the sixtyth meters of the eponymous waterfall is noisy. 7 km east of the capital stretched the village Mavasser, considered the center of Moro's movement. It deserves attention to a small museum, designed to preserve the historical and spiritual values \u200b\u200bof the traditional local life. Even east, between Guadalkanal and the tiny island of Tavanipupua, water spread Marau Sound With their huge coral reefs, which are replete with various maritime animals. 10 km from the capital lie beautiful "double-sided" Waterfalls Matanico. The waters of the river of the same name are drunk here with a high cliff right in the cave filled with elegant stalactites and stalagmites, and then disappear somewhere in the depths of the island. There are many large enough around and, which is important, clean water bodies suitable for swimming, and in the cave itself there is an extensive population of swallows and bats. During the Second World War, this cave served as shelter for the last soldiers of the Japanese garrison of Guadalcanal, and its neighborhood became the arena of fierce fights (according to different estimates from 400 to 600, the soldiers of the imperial army found their death in the cave itself, resisting literally to the last cartridge). The fields of combat times of the Second World War are generally among the main attractions of Guadalkanal as a whole and the surroundings of Honiara in particular. It was in these places that the most fierce contractions were boiled between the Japanese garrison of the island and surpassed them in numbers of several dozen times the US marines. Genderson Field International Airport itself (Henderson-Field, named after Major's Marine Corps of the United States who died during the Battle of Midoue) leads its origin from the runway, which the Japanese began to build, and the Americans have completed. It was for this block of sushi that stubborn battles unfolded, during which both parties suffered the most tangible losses (according to different estimates from 24 to 38 thousand people only on land). Therefore, it is not surprising that traces of that war are still in abundance around the capital and airport, and the nearby waters are literally beaten by fragments of various military equipment. I wonder that one of the straits leading to Guadalcanal, still wears the official name of Iron Bott ("Iron bottom"), and for its cleaning of ships and aircraft, the government of Solomon Islands was even going to present an account of the United States and Japan until It rates that profits that tourists can be learned from visiting these places, as well as fans of military history and divers from these countries. On the Skyline Ridge Ridge and Mount Mount Austin rises a US Memorial Park with a detailed description of the battle for the island, as well as the Japanese world memorial with its four white monoliths. There are organized tours to places, whose names themselves speak for themselves for themselves - to the shore of Iron-Bottom-Sound, for the Bludi-Ridge Ridge, Alligator Creek and Red Beach, to the Japanese Memorial in the Poha River and his village museum of Vila (also dedicated to the history of fights for Guadalkanal), Cape Lunga Point and to the Bay Teter. The southern coast (Weser-Coast) is quite deserted and nonexime. Of all its attractions, only the town of Tulagi can be noted (not to be confused with the old capital of the archipelago on the island of Florida) with its crafts and good conditions for marine fishing, as well as the village of Kuwuulu, another Moro Motion Center with colorful local architecture and a tiny museum. And deep in the heart of the tropical forest of Guadalcanal, on the slopes of the Mountain chain of Lhamas (Lamas), the luxurious waterfalls of the whip (the vision) are noisy, affordable, unfortunately, only helicopter. Central Region. The area occupies about 1000 square meters. The center of the central region lies around Guadalkanla and includes Savo Islands, Russeks, Nghel and Florida Group. Once served as the archipelago center (on the island of Florida is the old capital of Solomon Islands - the town of Tulagi), after the second world, she practically lost its importance, since many infrastructure facilities were destroyed during battles, and those that were built by flashing armies were explicitly wore a temporary character and Quickly came into disrepair. Therefore, most modern attractions of the region are associated either with traces of those fights, or with sea and good local shores. Permanent clouds volcanic island Savo.Lying in the Iron Bottom Sound Strait is a paradise for divers and fans of other types of outdoor activities. Almost complete absence of infrastructure is compensated by the abundance of sunken vessels (it was here that the famous battle of Savo island), constantly smoking a volcanic crater and many practically boiling mineral springs, several ancient cultite segmentation sites, as well as a living bird community and magnificent crystal waters. On the island of Florida, you can explore the old headquarters of the British colonial administration with its hospital and headquarters, as well as the Old Port Parvis, which served first by the British Navy base, and then the Japanese imperial fleet. And Anuha island is widely known for its white sandy shores. Region Malaita The Eastern Province, which is called by the name of the largest island of the group, is the second largest and most densely populated from Solomon Islands, although many of its residents do not live in large cities, like Honiara or Gizo, but in the villages lost in the jungle and towns. The major islands of Malaita are inhabited by Melazaneians (about 96 thousand people), and the Polynesian tribes (about 2 thousand people) live on the Atollah of Onongg-Jawa (Lord Hau). It was these islands that made the maximum contribution to the reputation of Solomon as non-microgenic islands, and by virtue of the same reason, the ancient folk traditions and rituals were preserved as much as possible. The distinctive feature of the island of Malait is a huge number of artificial islands, which since ancient times was built by local residents directly on the atolls or rocky islands of Lagun. The lack of land suitable for processing is simply for housing, forced Malayants from the century to the century to pour artificial shores from crushed coral or rubble between the piles driven into the bottom, which the sea turned very quickly into a rather durable monolith. Nowadays, about 12 thousand islanders out of 15 tribal groups are concentrated on these man-made islands, especially common in Langu-Langa Langa lagoon, and Malaita lives one of the last relict tribes of the planet - the Quavio group (QUAIO). It was in these places that the ancient cult of worship of sharks was preserved, in which, according to local beliefs, the souls of the ancestors are filmed. For sharks, local residents are reversible and many of these oldest cartilage fish serve to the Tenic signs of tribes and childbirth. The sharks worship in many areas of Solomon Islands, but there is no longer more rituals and festivities dedicated to this sea predator than on the Islands of Laulaci and Bow in Langa Langa Lagun, which lie 16 km from the capital of Malait Island. From Auki can be reached by the boat to the artificial islands of the Lagoon and here to witness an ancient rite of the practice of the "call challenge" or a rather dangerous way to catch it when the diver, armed with only a rag and a spear (or a knife), enters the confrontation one to one with this formidable Sea predator. Although more often, tourists show no less shocking spectacle to communicate with shark. Many locals tame a shark from the smallest sharks and ending with the largest and most terrible of them. The practice of "Call Aclaus" is an ancient art of lining a predator, and somehow local sorcerers manage to put the shark right in the water and then raise them by hand to the surface! ! A knock on the stones in certain places under water lures sharks to a depth of 30 cm, where a little boy (necessarily !!) gives a predator capable of snacking him in half, a piece of pork, thanks to her for a visit. Shark continues to swim around the lagoon, as if taking the gift. This ritual, as extremely dangerous, was banned in the 1970s, but some parts of this amazing custom are still practiced in many places. Since the meat of black pigs is used, then black and red (blood color) color - taboo on Laulaci and Bow (and on many other area islands too), and visitors should take it into account when choosing clothes and jewelry for the trip. Small town Ayuki. (The population of about 4 thousand people) since 1920 is the capital of Malait region. Until the 20s of the 20th century, the city had an impressive defensive wall throughout the perimeter, capable of holding the attacks of hostile locals or even well-armed Europeans for quite a long time, which predetermined his choice as the capital. Today's Auki is perhaps the most photographic city of the country and can boast enough decent for these places the choice of shops, hotels and restaurants, plus good, even by local standards, kitchen. From here you can get to the village of Lilisan to Langa Langa Lagun (it is believed that the inhabitants of this settlement invented the technology of manufacturing pile buildings and artificial islands), to the beautiful beaches of the lagoon itself, in the picturesque cultural villages of Alita, Anoano, Aumena, Maeäen, Manafe and Ugra (a preliminary arrangement is required), as well as in the already mentioned cultural village Bouus, which, in addition to rituals with sharks, is able to offer a lot of other interesting rites. Western Oblast The Western province is considered a recognized country leader on the beauty of its shores and the wealth of the underwater world. The largest among the provinces of the archipelago, it takes 8573 square kilometers (Vella-Lovely Islands, New Georgia and about fifty small islets and reefs), and only 19% of the population live here. Often called in conversations just West ("West"), it attracts many lovers of extreme and aquatic recreation, and this is probably the most developed area of \u200b\u200bthe country's field of recreation - about 16 quite modern resorts are built here. Diving, including one of the best Uepi Island Resort in the famous Marso Lagoon. The largest salted lagoon in the world (its size is about 150 by 96 km), Marso Located on the island of New Georgia to the north of Wangun Island (in fact, it is a shed between the two of these islands, transformed by the growth of coral reefs in the intermittent Sushi Ring surrounding the central lagoon). This is a huge water space with a narrow strip of coral beaches around the perimeter and amazingly blue water is a candidate for entering the UNESCO World Heritage List. Literally thousands of islands frame the lagoon Marovo, from tiny coral reefs to massive volcanic rocks up to 1600 meters high, and many of them still show signs of active volcanic activity, but are quite accessible to visiting. Laguna Marovo is the best place to relax by the sea, is a unique combination of the scenic beauty of wildlife and the rich traditions of local residents (the shores of the lagoon inhabit two separate tribes - Marovo and Roviana). The resorts of Matikuri Resort, Rogosakena Eco Resort and Uepi Island Resort are deserved, as well as a plot of traditional Warld Heritj's village, which is considered the best tourist village in the country. It is limited to the workpiece of the forest to preserve the unique composition of the flora and fauna inherent in this area, excellent conditions for marine fishing have been created (Laguna is associated with an open sea of \u200b\u200balmost hundreds of passages in reefs, therefore the species composition of its inhabitants is more than impressive), and traditional crafts of local residents From wood and shells are widely known far beyond the country. The second in size of the city of Archipelago - Gizo is located on the island of the same name (approximately 370 km from Honiara), on the shore of the Western Won Lagoon, and is considered the capital of the Western region and one of the most popular resort areas of the country. Its snow-white isolated shores and beaches, numerous coral islands and the atolls, literally growing from the depths of the ocean, traditional villages and excellent conditions for marine fishing, snorkeling and diving created him a lot of fame among fans of an active holiday. At the same time, the island itself is not much different in terms of its development from the fact that they saw the fighting parties during the time of the battle for Guadalkanal. In Gizo, you can rent a private boat and explore the magnificent coral reefs of the lagoon of Won-Won or New Georgia, to make a dive to numerous ships and aircraft who died in these waters during the last war, rise to Kolombangang Volcano (1770 m), as well as see megagen "The ancient shrine of local tribes, a crocodile farm, a pile village of Nusambaruka or to visit the holiday of dance in Mbangopigo. Favorite, although a sufficiently undisguised point of attraction for most tourists is the island of Plam Pudding, or Kennedy Island, who received his fame after the sorting of the PT-109 torpedo boat in August 1943, who commanded the future US President John F. Kennedy, and His team flew exactly on this tiny slush bar (now in his honor there are annual swimmers competitions on the JFK prize). You can also make an excursion to the small fishing village of Malaita, the population from other regions of Oceania is an excellent opportunity to observe various cultures, peacefully coexistent for many centuries for many centuries just a minute walk from each other. However, you can get to most local villages here only by boat or by narrow, often almost impassable roads under the crowns of thick forest. Schuazel region Shuazelyl Island, or Laura, only recently (1995) stood out from the Western province to a separate administrative region. His population is also inhomogeneously, as in other places of the country, - about 16 thousand Melanesians live in the western half of the main island, and in the east and north they live with Gilbert Islands (about 2 thousand people). Most of the coast of Shoazyloil is an extremely narrow strip, limited to the sushi by mountain ridges and jungle, and from the sea - large shallow swamps and literally wall of the moisture of moisture vegetation. Therefore, it is quite difficult to explore it, and all excursions are conducted either in the shoisel bay, the river Sui with its waterfalls and the tiny capital of Kumbakal, near the coast more favorable for movement, or by sea - in the form of a weekly cruise along the shores of the island with visits to local villages and diving Under water (however, in addition to good reefs, there is nothing remarkable - the fighting Second World War was significantly southeast of this region). Isabel region The Spanish researcher Alvaro de Mendana da Neira opened Santa Isabel Isaabel Island in February 1568 and stepped ashore in the Bay, wearing the name of Estrela Bay in our days. Almost 75% of the local population, for the most part - Melanesians belonging to six tribal groups live the southeastern part of the island. The longest island of the archipelago, Santa Isabel is still quite low-prospecting, which is a lot of almost complete lack of roads (the only site that deserves the name of the road stretches from the capital of Bouala Island to the village of Kaevang on the southern coast), so all the movements between settlements of the island We are underway. Here is the center of sightseeing activities, the most popular object of which is the island Arnavon (Amavon), also known as the "Telep Island", since it is here that the natural zone of breeding bissors is located here - the rarest sea turtles. None of almost one hundred islands and reef groups ArnavonStretching between Santa Isabel and Rob-Roy Island is not constantly inhabited, many only for a couple of dozen centimeters rise above sea level, so this area can be proud of also unsurpassed fishing. In 1991, the Marine Natural Reserve Arnavon was created here, whose zone stretches from the coast of Santa Isabel to Shoazelyl. When visiting the territory of the park, visitors accompanies the whole staff of specially trained guides from among the residents of local villages (2 people from each community), following the behavior of tourists and controlling the life of the turtles, - the local population is so raseny and has not yet fully recovered after many years of extermination of these Unique animals that such personnel behavior is simply necessary. The pile village of Kia in the north of the island is also noteworthy, all the movement on which is conducted on canoe, and South-West Island San Jug (San Horg, is known in local mythology as the habitat of the spirits of the dead - here they really have different strange phenomena). Most local villages have good mini-hotels with excellent local standards and service level, and the main souvenir of these places is a tapping cortex fabric (paper mulberry), painted in a blue color of local orchides. Makira region Southeast region Solomon includes Makira Islands (San Cristobal), Ulava, Uki-Ni-Masi, Ovaraha (Santa Ana), Karovka (Santa Catalina) and still with a dozen small blocks of the Earth, stretched toward Vanuatu . The compact island group (all of the islands are located about 35-38 km away from each other, with the exception of the Ulava, which is 75 km south of San Cristobal) covers an area of \u200b\u200babout 3188 square meters. km and populated 30 thousand people (two thirds of them live on the northern coast of San Cristobal). Highlands (up to 1040 m on San Cristobal) and strongly wetlands literally dissected by rivers and streams (almost every 2-5 km in the sea, any watercourse is poured), belonging to the "raw" in the country. Since the islands for a long time were isolated from the world around, there are many relic forms of plants and animals, the same applies to people - the Bauro tribal group is considered scientists with one of the most isolated and conservative ethnic groups in the region. The main fame of the islands brought local masters of folk dances - in almost every village there are own troupes, well-known far beyond the limits of Solomon Islands. The most colorful dance performances with almost complete preservation of ancient traditions can be seen in Star Harbor, in the village Natahanger, on the Islands of Ovaraha (Santa Ana), Karovka (Santa Catalina), three-sister and ulava. Here you can also purchase products of national applied classes. And in the abundant caves and extremely hard-to-reach mountainous regions of San Cristobal, as local residents consider, the "Pacific Ocean gnomes" are still inhabited by "Kakameor" races, which is attributed to any mythical properties. Temperature area Formerly called the eastern external islands, the area of \u200b\u200bthe temperature covers an area of \u200b\u200b926 square meters. km (islands) and 150 thousand square meters. KM Ocean in the most eastern part of Solomon Islands. This extensive archipelago from wide scattered islands is separated from the main group of the country Torreswith depths up to 600 m. Three groups of volcanic islands (Santa Cruz, Tinakula and Whitapua) are surrounded by low coral atollams of nearby Reef Island Islands and located on the eastern east isolated duffy and ana island volcanoes. This area is actually intact with modern civilization, and the inhabitants of its islanders differ in their origin from the residents of the remaining Solomon Islands. The only sights here are the active volcanoes of the island. Tinacula, colorful rites of local tribes (it is characteristic that the bunches of red feathers of tropical birds are still used as a monetary unit - one of the most unusual currencies on the planet), the village of Bola on Santa Cruz with its unusual population, in whose veins the Spanish blood flows Sailors with ships Alvaro de Mendanya (it was here that the navigator himself and 47 members of his crew), as well as the beautiful Gulf of Grassios. Region Rennel and Bellona (Renbell) The most southern island group, dedicated to an independent area in 1995, Rennell and Bellona lies south of Guadalcanal and south-west of Makira. These remote atolls were discovered by the captain of the merchant Matthew Boyd in 1793. Now this area occupies area 671 square meters. CM and inhabited only 2.5 thousand people, is one of the natural nature reserves of nature and Polynesian traditions. The capital of the region is Tigoa's town lies on Rennell Island, or Mou-Nghava, as it is called Islanders themselves, and Bellona, \u200b\u200bor Mu-Ngiki, is widely known as the land of beautiful carpenters and wood cutters. Island Rennell It is considered the largest sublime atoll on the planet (86x15 km), but the main line of its uniqueness is almost the entire southern part of the elongated lake Tengano. - The largest freshwater lake in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean (now its area is about 15.5 thousand hectares), where there was a place for 200 islands, and for large bird colonies, and for many rare flora species, primarily orchids. It is not difficult to guess that in the era of the formation of the island of the lake was an extensive lagoon, which, as it raises the surrounding sushi over the water, gradually crushed, although the water still remains slightly straly. Therefore, now here you can find completely unique views of the once sea fish, the very nature of the transformed into freshwater (the only analogue is a lake Titicaca in South American Andes). Because of its unique natural conditions and specific ecology, the eastern part of the island, together with the Lake Todgano, was declared a national park of wildlife (an area of \u200b\u200b37 thousand hectares), subsequently on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Noticeably smaller and quiet Bellona (Mu-Ngiki) lies northwest Rennella and has rich phosphate deposits, as well as many residential caves of the earliest inhabitants of the region - the legendary people of Chiti. Here you can see the specific people's kind of struggle - Hetakai, which exists on the islands at least in the last 600 years.
ATTRACTIONS Like the next Vanuatu, this land is still almost isolated from the surrounding world, is an example of amazing natural contrasts and endless opportunities for various adventures, where almost impassable jungle, high mountain peaks, mighty volcanoes, countless atolls, pure mountain rivers with waterfalls and blue lagoon. It is believed that no other Pacific archipelago has a more diverse nature with such a complex combination of geology and climatic conditions. The archipelago will practically not affect tourism, because on Earth a little wishes to visit this poor and isolated country. But many entails the genuine naturalness of all that will bring to see or visit. There is no practically nothing artificial or specially created by tourists, and the nature of the islands, without exaggeration called the extraordinary, creates a reputation, possibly one of the last plates of the planet, as if specifically designed for extreme types of recreation. Here are truly unique conditions for diving, snorkeling, studying the history of the Second World War, ethnography, sailing and sports fishing. Guadalkanal Guadalkanal Island, or Guadalcanal, is the largest land plot in the Solomon Islands group (area of \u200b\u200b5302 square meters. Km). Higher from the depths of the ocean, like some kind of prehistoric lamb, mountainous and inhumatical island, almost all are busy with the slopes and peaks of ancient volcanoes (Mount Gallego, or Mount Galje, Popomanaso, Makarakurubura, Tattus, Caiui - all of them have a height of 2 km or more) and covered with dense cover of tropical vegetation. Its mountainous relief does not leave people for the housing of other places, except for a very narrow coastal strip surrounding the entire island, only in the north, in the Gendar Field area (Henderson) and Honiara moving into a small plain. South Coast Rocky and wears the semi-official name of the Weser-Coast ("Weather Coast"), since the life of people here is entirely dependent on the state of the weather. The swampy shores and the hot and wet climate make it difficult to life on Guadalcanal, however, about 40% of the country's population lives here, the capital of the archipelago and its main administrative institutions are located. Honiara The capital of the islands is located on the northern coast of Guadalkanal, in the extensive bay between the peninsula Cape Esperance and Lunga Point, in the very place that De Mendan has called Puento Cruz. The small and enough picturesque seaport of Honiara leads its origin from the tiny fishing village, whose name is Nho-Ni-Ara can be translated as "a place where East and South-Eastern Wind faces" (for local defects are very characterized by similar "flowery" names) . The city is very young - most of his modern buildings were built immediately after the end of World War II, when it took place to find a place for the new capital of the archipelago (Tuulaagi suffered a lot during the fighting, and not the most successful place for him was chosen). In 1952, Honiara officially became the capital of Solomon Islands. Honiara is perhaps the only more or less large settlement of the archipelago - except for fifty thousand local people, focused on the square hardly 1.5 square meters. km, here are constantly going on for shopping, work and recreation Residents of other islands. Almost all his life boils along the Cucumber Highway Highway connecting the region of Gende Field in the East to White River in the West. Along this highway and the main street of the city - Mendan-Avenue continuing (Mendan - so the islands, the name of their islands is pronounced) with almost all the main objects of the capital infrastructure - the National Hospital, a complex of portal structures, the market and recently affected by the chinese quarter riots. The building of the National Parliament, open in 1993, is sharply allocated among the buildings around him with his conical form, and it is he who is considered to be the center of Honiara. Restored Old Government House These days are given under the Complex of the National Museum with an extensive collection on the history and culture of the country, and its park serves as a popular seating destinations. Opposite the original building of the Hotel Mendan (Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel) is towers, and there is a tourist office of the country between him and the yacht club. Nearby are the National Archives and the Public Library for the Office of the Public Works Department. The large modern building of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands has an original historical exposition telling how it is not difficult to guess, about the features of the local monetary system, the money traditional for the countries of the region is exhibited in the form of beams of red feathers or shells of Kauri, as well as a small exposition of the works of local wood cutters . Bully below Mendan-Avenue, between the office of the Solomon Islands broadcasting corporation (SIBC) and the Rove prison, the Honiara Bedanic Gardens begin, famous for their collection of local plants (the gardens area is quite small, and the collection looks like a modest one, however, to assess its importance. , It is enough to imagine what time it would be worth seeing all these orchids and lianas in natural local conditions). Here, on Mendan Avenue, in a small park, located almost opposite the building of the Central Bank, there is a melanezia cultural village with its typical local buildings from palm leaves and wicker mats. This colorful mini-museum specializes in demonstrations of traditions, rites and crafts of various areas of Solomon Islands. Around the capital To the east of Honiara is a complex of church school BeticaWidely well-known handicrafts (clay dishes, metal and wood work, most of them can be bought right in place) and a small museum of relics of the Second World War. Nearby is a village Tenar., near which the sixtyth meters of the eponymous waterfall is noisy. 7 km east of the capital stretched the village Mavasser, considered the center of Moro's movement. It deserves attention to a small museum, designed to preserve the historical and spiritual values \u200b\u200bof the traditional local life. Even east, between Guadalkanal and the tiny island of Tavanipupua, water spread Marau Sound With their huge coral reefs, which are replete with various maritime animals. 10 km from the capital lie beautiful "double-sided" Waterfalls Matanico. The waters of the river of the same name are drunk here with a high cliff right in the cave filled with elegant stalactites and stalagmites, and then disappear somewhere in the depths of the island. There are many large enough around and, which is important, clean water bodies suitable for swimming, and in the cave itself there is an extensive population of swallows and bats. During the Second World War, this cave served as shelter for the last soldiers of the Japanese garrison of Guadalcanal, and its neighborhood became the arena of fierce fights (according to different estimates from 400 to 600, the soldiers of the imperial army found their death in the cave itself, resisting literally to the last cartridge). The fields of combat times of the Second World War are generally among the main attractions of Guadalkanal as a whole and the surroundings of Honiara in particular. It was in these places that the most fierce contractions were boiled between the Japanese garrison of the island and surpassed them in numbers of several dozen times the US marines. Genderson Field International Airport itself (Henderson-Field, named after Major's Marine Corps of the United States who died during the Battle of Midoue) leads its origin from the runway, which the Japanese began to build, and the Americans have completed. It was for this block of sushi that stubborn battles unfolded, during which both parties suffered the most tangible losses (according to different estimates from 24 to 38 thousand people only on land). Therefore, it is not surprising that traces of that war are still in abundance around the capital and airport, and the nearby waters are literally beaten by fragments of various military equipment. I wonder that one of the straits leading to Guadalcanal, still wears the official name of Iron Bott ("Iron bottom"), and for its cleaning of ships and aircraft, the government of Solomon Islands was even going to present an account of the United States and Japan until It rates that profits that tourists can be learned from visiting these places, as well as fans of military history and divers from these countries. On the Skyline Ridge Ridge and Mount Mount Austin rises a US Memorial Park with a detailed description of the battle for the island, as well as the Japanese world memorial with its four white monoliths. There are organized tours to places, whose names themselves speak for themselves for themselves - to the shore of Iron-Bottom-Sound, for the Bludi-Ridge Ridge, Alligator Creek and Red Beach, to the Japanese Memorial in the Poha River and his village museum of Vila (also dedicated to the history of fights for Guadalkanal), Cape Lunga Point and to the Bay Teter. The southern coast (Weser-Coast) is quite deserted and nonexime. Of all its attractions, only the town of Tulagi can be noted (not to be confused with the old capital of the archipelago on the island of Florida) with its crafts and good conditions for marine fishing, as well as the village of Kuwuulu, another Moro Motion Center with colorful local architecture and a tiny museum. And deep in the heart of the tropical forest of Guadalcanal, on the slopes of the Mountain chain of Lhamas (Lamas), the luxurious waterfalls of the whip (the vision) are noisy, affordable, unfortunately, only helicopter. Central Region. The area occupies about 1000 square meters. The center of the central region lies around Guadalkanla and includes Savo Islands, Russeks, Nghel and Florida Group. Once served as the archipelago center (on the island of Florida is the old capital of Solomon Islands - the town of Tulagi), after the second world, she practically lost its importance, since many infrastructure facilities were destroyed during battles, and those that were built by flashing armies were explicitly wore a temporary character and Quickly came into disrepair. Therefore, most modern attractions of the region are associated either with traces of those fights, or with sea and good local shores. Permanent clouds volcanic island Savo.Lying in the Iron Bottom Sound Strait is a paradise for divers and fans of other types of outdoor activities. Almost complete absence of infrastructure is compensated by the abundance of sunken vessels (it was here that the famous battle of Savo island), constantly smoking a volcanic crater and many practically boiling mineral springs, several ancient cultite segmentation sites, as well as a living bird community and magnificent crystal waters. On the island of Florida, you can explore the old headquarters of the British colonial administration with its hospital and headquarters, as well as the Old Port Parvis, which served first by the British Navy base, and then the Japanese imperial fleet. And Anuha island is widely known for its white sandy shores. Region Malaita The Eastern Province, which is called by the name of the largest island of the group, is the second largest and most densely populated from Solomon Islands, although many of its residents do not live in large cities, like Honiara or Gizo, but in the villages lost in the jungle and towns. The major islands of Malaita are inhabited by Melazaneians (about 96 thousand people), and the Polynesian tribes (about 2 thousand people) live on the Atollah of Onongg-Jawa (Lord Hau). It was these islands that made the maximum contribution to the reputation of Solomon as non-microgenic islands, and by virtue of the same reason, the ancient folk traditions and rituals were preserved as much as possible. The distinctive feature of the island of Malait is a huge number of artificial islands, which since ancient times was built by local residents directly on the atolls or rocky islands of Lagun. The lack of land suitable for processing is simply for housing, forced Malayants from the century to the century to pour artificial shores from crushed coral or rubble between the piles driven into the bottom, which the sea turned very quickly into a rather durable monolith. Nowadays, about 12 thousand islanders out of 15 tribal groups are concentrated on these man-made islands, especially common in Langu-Langa Langa lagoon, and Malaita lives one of the last relict tribes of the planet - the Quavio group (QUAIO). It was in these places that the ancient cult of worship of sharks was preserved, in which, according to local beliefs, the souls of the ancestors are filmed. For sharks, local residents are reversible and many of these oldest cartilage fish serve to the Tenic signs of tribes and childbirth. The sharks worship in many areas of Solomon Islands, but there is no longer more rituals and festivities dedicated to this sea predator than on the Islands of Laulaci and Bow in Langa Langa Lagun, which lie 16 km from the capital of Malait Island. From Auki can be reached by the boat to the artificial islands of the Lagoon and here to witness an ancient rite of the practice of the "call challenge" or a rather dangerous way to catch it when the diver, armed with only a rag and a spear (or a knife), enters the confrontation one to one with this formidable Sea predator. Although more often, tourists show no less shocking spectacle to communicate with shark. Many locals tame a shark from the smallest sharks and ending with the largest and most terrible of them. The practice of "Call Aclaus" is an ancient art of lining a predator, and somehow local sorcerers manage to put the shark right in the water and then raise them by hand to the surface! ! A knock on the stones in certain places under water lures sharks to a depth of 30 cm, where a little boy (necessarily !!) gives a predator capable of snacking him in half, a piece of pork, thanks to her for a visit. Shark continues to swim around the lagoon, as if taking the gift. This ritual, as extremely dangerous, was banned in the 1970s, but some parts of this amazing custom are still practiced in many places. Since the meat of black pigs is used, then black and red (blood color) color - taboo on Laulaci and Bow (and on many other area islands too), and visitors should take it into account when choosing clothes and jewelry for the trip. Small town Ayuki. (The population of about 4 thousand people) since 1920 is the capital of Malait region. Until the 20s of the 20th century, the city had an impressive defensive wall throughout the perimeter, capable of holding the attacks of hostile locals or even well-armed Europeans for quite a long time, which predetermined his choice as the capital. Today's Auki is perhaps the most photographic city of the country and can boast enough decent for these places the choice of shops, hotels and restaurants, plus good, even by local standards, kitchen. From here you can get to the village of Lilisan to Langa Langa Lagun (it is believed that the inhabitants of this settlement invented the technology of manufacturing pile buildings and artificial islands), to the beautiful beaches of the lagoon itself, in the picturesque cultural villages of Alita, Anoano, Aumena, Maeäen, Manafe and Ugra (a preliminary arrangement is required), as well as in the already mentioned cultural village Bouus, which, in addition to rituals with sharks, is able to offer a lot of other interesting rites. Western Oblast The Western province is considered a recognized country leader on the beauty of its shores and the wealth of the underwater world. The largest among the provinces of the archipelago, it takes 8573 square kilometers (Vella-Lovely Islands, New Georgia and about fifty small islets and reefs), and only 19% of the population live here. Often called in conversations just West ("West"), it attracts many lovers of extreme and aquatic recreation, and this is probably the most developed area of \u200b\u200bthe country's field of recreation - about 16 quite modern resorts are built here. Diving, including one of the best Uepi Island Resort in the famous Marso Lagoon. The largest salted lagoon in the world (its size is about 150 by 96 km), Marso Located on the island of New Georgia to the north of Wangun Island (in fact, it is a shed between the two of these islands, transformed by the growth of coral reefs in the intermittent Sushi Ring surrounding the central lagoon). This is a huge water space with a narrow strip of coral beaches around the perimeter and amazingly blue water is a candidate for entering the UNESCO World Heritage List. Literally thousands of islands frame the lagoon Marovo, from tiny coral reefs to massive volcanic rocks up to 1600 meters high, and many of them still show signs of active volcanic activity, but are quite accessible to visiting. Laguna Marovo is the best place to relax by the sea, is a unique combination of the scenic beauty of wildlife and the rich traditions of local residents (the shores of the lagoon inhabit two separate tribes - Marovo and Roviana). The resorts of Matikuri Resort, Rogosakena Eco Resort and Uepi Island Resort are deserved, as well as a plot of traditional Warld Heritj's village, which is considered the best tourist village in the country. It is limited to the workpiece of the forest to preserve the unique composition of the flora and fauna inherent in this area, excellent conditions for marine fishing have been created (Laguna is associated with an open sea of \u200b\u200balmost hundreds of passages in reefs, therefore the species composition of its inhabitants is more than impressive), and traditional crafts of local residents From wood and shells are widely known far beyond the country. The second in size of the city of Archipelago - Gizo is located on the island of the same name (approximately 370 km from Honiara), on the shore of the Western Won Lagoon, and is considered the capital of the Western region and one of the most popular resort areas of the country. Its snow-white isolated shores and beaches, numerous coral islands and the atolls, literally growing from the depths of the ocean, traditional villages and excellent conditions for marine fishing, snorkeling and diving created him a lot of fame among fans of an active holiday. At the same time, the island itself is not much different in terms of its development from the fact that they saw the fighting parties during the time of the battle for Guadalkanal. In Gizo, you can rent a private boat and explore the magnificent coral reefs of the lagoon of Won-Won or New Georgia, to make a dive to numerous ships and aircraft who died in these waters during the last war, rise to Kolombangang Volcano (1770 m), as well as see megagen "The ancient shrine of local tribes, a crocodile farm, a pile village of Nusambaruka or to visit the holiday of dance in Mbangopigo. Favorite, although a sufficiently undisguised point of attraction for most tourists is the island of Plam Pudding, or Kennedy Island, who received his fame after the sorting of the PT-109 torpedo boat in August 1943, who commanded the future US President John F. Kennedy, and His team flew exactly on this tiny slush bar (now in his honor there are annual swimmers competitions on the JFK prize). You can also make an excursion to the small fishing village of Malaita, the population from other regions of Oceania is an excellent opportunity to observe various cultures, peacefully coexistent for many centuries for many centuries just a minute walk from each other. However, you can get to most local villages here only by boat or by narrow, often almost impassable roads under the crowns of thick forest. Schuazel region Shuazelyl Island, or Laura, only recently (1995) stood out from the Western province to a separate administrative region. His population is also inhomogeneously, as in other places of the country, - about 16 thousand Melanesians live in the western half of the main island, and in the east and north they live with Gilbert Islands (about 2 thousand people). Most of the coast of Shoazyloil is an extremely narrow strip, limited to the sushi by mountain ridges and jungle, and from the sea - large shallow swamps and literally wall of the moisture of moisture vegetation. Therefore, it is quite difficult to explore it, and all excursions are conducted either in the shoisel bay, the river Sui with its waterfalls and the tiny capital of Kumbakal, near the coast more favorable for movement, or by sea - in the form of a weekly cruise along the shores of the island with visits to local villages and diving Under water (however, in addition to good reefs, there is nothing remarkable - the fighting Second World War was significantly southeast of this region). Isabel region The Spanish researcher Alvaro de Mendana da Neira opened Santa Isabel Isaabel Island in February 1568 and stepped ashore in the Bay, wearing the name of Estrela Bay in our days. Almost 75% of the local population, for the most part - Melanesians belonging to six tribal groups live the southeastern part of the island. The longest island of the archipelago, Santa Isabel is still quite low-prospecting, which is a lot of almost complete lack of roads (the only site that deserves the name of the road stretches from the capital of Bouala Island to the village of Kaevang on the southern coast), so all the movements between settlements of the island We are underway. Here is the center of sightseeing activities, the most popular object of which is the island Arnavon (Amavon), also known as the "Telep Island", since it is here that the natural zone of breeding bissors is located here - the rarest sea turtles. None of almost one hundred islands and reef groups ArnavonStretching between Santa Isabel and Rob-Roy Island is not constantly inhabited, many only for a couple of dozen centimeters rise above sea level, so this area can be proud of also unsurpassed fishing. In 1991, the Marine Natural Reserve Arnavon was created here, whose zone stretches from the coast of Santa Isabel to Shoazelyl. When visiting the territory of the park, visitors accompanies the whole staff of specially trained guides from among the residents of local villages (2 people from each community), following the behavior of tourists and controlling the life of the turtles, - the local population is so raseny and has not yet fully recovered after many years of extermination of these Unique animals that such personnel behavior is simply necessary. The pile village of Kia in the north of the island is also noteworthy, all the movement on which is conducted on canoe, and South-West Island San Jug (San Horg, is known in local mythology as the habitat of the spirits of the dead - here they really have different strange phenomena). Most local villages have good mini-hotels with excellent local standards and service level, and the main souvenir of these places is a tapping cortex fabric (paper mulberry), painted in a blue color of local orchides. Makira region Southeast region Solomon includes Makira Islands (San Cristobal), Ulava, Uki-Ni-Masi, Ovaraha (Santa Ana), Karovka (Santa Catalina) and still with a dozen small blocks of the Earth, stretched toward Vanuatu . The compact island group (all of the islands are located about 35-38 km away from each other, with the exception of the Ulava, which is 75 km south of San Cristobal) covers an area of \u200b\u200babout 3188 square meters. km and populated 30 thousand people (two thirds of them live on the northern coast of San Cristobal). Highlands (up to 1040 m on San Cristobal) and strongly wetlands literally dissected by rivers and streams (almost every 2-5 km in the sea, any watercourse is poured), belonging to the "raw" in the country. Since the islands for a long time were isolated from the world around, there are many relic forms of plants and animals, the same applies to people - the Bauro tribal group is considered scientists with one of the most isolated and conservative ethnic groups in the region. The main fame of the islands brought local masters of folk dances - in almost every village there are own troupes, well-known far beyond the limits of Solomon Islands. The most colorful dance performances with almost complete preservation of ancient traditions can be seen in Star Harbor, in the village Natahanger, on the Islands of Ovaraha (Santa Ana), Karovka (Santa Catalina), three-sister and ulava. Here you can also purchase products of national applied classes. And in the abundant caves and extremely hard-to-reach mountainous regions of San Cristobal, as local residents consider, the "Pacific Ocean gnomes" are still inhabited by "Kakameor" races, which is attributed to any mythical properties. Temperature area Formerly called the eastern external islands, the area of \u200b\u200bthe temperature covers an area of \u200b\u200b926 square meters. km (islands) and 150 thousand square meters. KM Ocean in the most eastern part of Solomon Islands. This extensive archipelago from wide scattered islands is separated from the main group of the country Torreswith depths up to 600 m. Three groups of volcanic islands (Santa Cruz, Tinakula and Whitapua) are surrounded by low coral atollams of nearby Reef Island Islands and located on the eastern east isolated duffy and ana island volcanoes. This area is actually intact with modern civilization, and the inhabitants of its islanders differ in their origin from the residents of the remaining Solomon Islands. The only sights here are the active volcanoes of the island. Tinacula, colorful rites of local tribes (it is characteristic that the bunches of red feathers of tropical birds are still used as a monetary unit - one of the most unusual currencies on the planet), the village of Bola on Santa Cruz with its unusual population, in whose veins the Spanish blood flows Sailors with ships Alvaro de Mendanya (it was here that the navigator himself and 47 members of his crew), as well as the beautiful Gulf of Grassios. Region Rennel and Bellona (Renbell) The most southern island group, dedicated to an independent area in 1995, Rennell and Bellona lies south of Guadalcanal and south-west of Makira. These remote atolls were discovered by the captain of the merchant Matthew Boyd in 1793. Now this area occupies area 671 square meters. CM and inhabited only 2.5 thousand people, is one of the natural nature reserves of nature and Polynesian traditions. The capital of the region is Tigoa's town lies on Rennell Island, or Mou-Nghava, as it is called Islanders themselves, and Bellona, \u200b\u200bor Mu-Ngiki, is widely known as the land of beautiful carpenters and wood cutters. Island Rennell It is considered the largest sublime atoll on the planet (86x15 km), but the main line of its uniqueness is almost the entire southern part of the elongated lake Tengano. - The largest freshwater lake in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean (now its area is about 15.5 thousand hectares), where there was a place for 200 islands, and for large bird colonies, and for many rare flora species, primarily orchids. It is not difficult to guess that in the era of the formation of the island of the lake was an extensive lagoon, which, as it raises the surrounding sushi over the water, gradually crushed, although the water still remains slightly straly. Therefore, now here you can find completely unique views of the once sea fish, the very nature of the transformed into freshwater (the only analogue is a lake Titicaca in South American Andes). Because of its unique natural conditions and specific ecology, the eastern part of the island, together with the Lake Todgano, was declared a national park of wildlife (an area of \u200b\u200b37 thousand hectares), subsequently on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Noticeably smaller and quiet Bellona (Mu-Ngiki) lies northwest Rennella and has rich phosphate deposits, as well as many residential caves of the earliest inhabitants of the region - the legendary people of Chiti. Here you can see the specific people's kind of struggle - Hetakai, which exists on the islands at least in the last 600 years.
