A complete re-write of some old questions about a country I suspect I’ll never get around to visiting.
Questions
Although the Solomons Islands is a predominantly Melanesian country, which province made up of two inhabited atolls that lies to the south of the country’s main chain of islands is actually Polynesian?
RENNELL and BELLONA
Celebrated as a public holiday on the 7 July, in which year did the Solomon Islands become independent?
1978
Surviving a no-confidence vote in 2021 after switching his country’s allegiance from Taiwan to China, which Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands began his fourth spell in the role in 2019? His first was back in 2000.
MANASSEH SOGAVARE
Offered human flesh by natives while trying to source much needed supplies, an expedition under which Spanish navigator was the first to visit the Solomon Islands? His voyages also led to the discovery of the Marquesas and the Cook Islands.
ÁLVARO DE MENDAÑA
Situated on Buka Island a short distance from Bougainville, in which cave has the earliest evidence of human occupation in the Solomon Islands chain been found? Findings here suggest that paleolithic inhabitants travelled over the open ocean to trade with Nissan Island in Papua New Guinea.
KILU
Much closer to Vanuatu than the country’s main chain of islands, which archipelago in the Solomon Islands that is part of Temutu province gives its name to a 1942 battle that saw the sinking of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet? It is considered to be part of the Vanuatu rain forests ecoregion.
SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS
Named for a culture that practised headhunting, the Roviana Lagoon can be found off the south of which largest island in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands?
NEW GEORGIA
Although not the largest island in the Solomon Islands, which is the most populous? It lies to the north-east of Guadalcanal.
MALAITA
Commemorated in the name of the strait between Hokkaido and Sakhalin, which French explorer is believed to have died after his ship was wrecked on the reefs of Vanikoro?
COMTE DE LAPÉROUSE
A failed attempt to capture Port Moresby during World War II, which operation with a very short name saw the Japanese occupy Tulagi in the Solomon Islands?
MO
The largest settlement on Malaika, which place became the temporary capital of the Solomon Islands in World War II after the Japanese captured Tulagi?
AUKI
They were located on remote Pacific islands during World War II and played an important role in the Guadalcanal campaign. What is the common name given to these Allied operatives who provided intelligence on enemy movements in the area?
COASTWATCHERS
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