Solomon Islands

The endangered Rennell flying fox is found only on Rennell Island in Solomon Islands and nowhere else in the world.

Solomon Islands is one of the world’s most linguistically diverse countries, with around 70 living indigenous languages, while Pijin serves as the common language.

Kavachi, off the coast of Solomon Islands, is one of the most active underwater volcanoes in the Pacific, where sharks were found living inside its crater, earning it the nickname “Sharkcano.”

Traditional shell money, handcrafted from strings of tiny shell beads in Langa Langa Lagoon, is still used in Solomon Islands for bride price and ceremonial exchanges.

East Rennell, the world’s largest raised coral atoll, was the first natural World Heritage Site inscribed under customary land ownership and management.

Lying within the Coral Triangle, Solomon Islands has one of the highest diversities of reef-building corals in the world, with nearly 500 species recorded.

Solomon Islands is made up of nearly 1,000 islands, of which only a few hundred are inhabited.

Marovo Lagoon, enclosed by a rare double barrier reef, is one of the largest saltwater lagoons in the world.

Solomon Islands has one of the highest levels of bird endemism in the world, with dozens of species found nowhere else on Earth.

The Wogasia festival, a traditional celebration marking the harvest and spiritual renewal, is held only on the island of Santa Catalina (Owaraha).

Tetepare is one of the largest uninhabited islands in the South Pacific, protected by its customary landowners as a conservation area.

In Lau Lagoon, communities have built dozens of artificial islands by hand, stacking coral rocks on reef flats, and many are still inhabited today.