Rhonda Goes to the Solomon Islands Online Trivia | Geography

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The first thing Rhonda needed to do was book her flight. Armed with a few facts she read online, Rhonda called the airline. "Thanks for calling Global Airways, what can I do for you?" said the voice on the other side of the telephone. "I am going on a trip!" Rhonda announced excitedly, "and I need to fly there." "Okay, where is your destination, ma'am?" asked the ticket agent. "I am headed to explore a beautiful collection of islands in the Pacific Ocean! I want to fly to the capital of these islands, where there is a National Art Gallery, and a National Museum, and..." Rhonda began. The ticket agent interrupted. "Look lady, I've got a lot of calls on hold. Where do you want to fly to?" If Rhonda wants to fly into the capital of the Solomon Islands, what airport does she need?

Answer: Honiara International Airport

Honiara became the capital of Solomon Islands in 1952. The former capital was Tulagi, but it was changed after Tulagi was hit hard in the Pacific War during World War II. Honiara was originally called Nagoniara (which means "in front of the wind" in native languages), but was changed by English colonists.

On the subject of place names, the country's actual name is 'Solomon Islands', no 'the'. However, many English-speaking countries around the world do refer to it as 'the Solomon Islands', and both forms are considered proper.

2. Planning her new trip made the memories of her trip to Rwanda fresh in Rhonda's mind. As she was looking through pictures from her previous trip, she noticed she was soaking wet and/or holding an umbrella in nearly all the pictures! "I had so much fun in Rwanda, but I can't believe I went during the rainy season!" Rhonda remarked to herself. Suddenly she stopped flipping through the photo album. "Uh oh," she thought, "does Solomon Islands have a rainy season?" Rhonda is about to discover that there is indeed a rainy season in the Solomon Islands. If Rhonda visits the country in late March, is she guaranteed to avoid the wet season?

Answer: No

The rainy season in the Solomon Islands is from November to late March/early April. During this time, the Northwest monsoon happens. The climate is semi-tropical year-round, but temperatures are not generally very high (around 25-30 degrees Celsius), because of breezes from the surrounding water.

There is not a great variation in temperature from season to season, but it does get slightly warmer and more humid during the wet season.

3. While Rhonda looked through websites and brochures in search of interesting things to see and do while in Solomon Islands' capital city, she learned that the city is located in the Guadalcanal province. "The name of the province sounds familiar to me," Rhonda thought to herself, "I think it came up in that history class I took..." If the Guadalcanal province was a topic of conversation in Rhonda's history class, what might the topic of the class have been?

Answer: The War in the Pacific during WWII

Guadalcanal, the province in which the capital city Honiara is located, is the largest island of the Solomon Islands and was the scene of a lot of fighting between American and Japanese troops during the Second World War. The area was invaded by Japanese in late 1941/early 1942, and Allied forces halted the Japanese and pushed them out of the Solomon Islands (and other nearby regions such as Papua New Guinea) in 1943.

4. In an effort to learn even more about the Solomon Islands, Rhonda went back on her computer, using good old Google, to read about current and recent events. When she came across coverage of the 2007 natural disaster that the Solomon Islands suffered, what was she reading about?

Answer: A tsunami

On April 2, 2007, an earthquake measuring 8.1 on the moment magnitude scale occurred near the island of Gizo, in the Solomon Islands. A tsunami followed the earthquake and wiped out many towns and villages, killing at least 52 people, with many, many more left injured and homeless.

At least 44 aftershocks also occurred, some of them of more 6.0 magnitude. The New Georgia Islands in Western Province was one of the regions most affected by the earthquake and tsunami; Ranonnoga, one of the New Georgia Islands, was lifted three metres by the earthquake, causing beaches to shift outwards and coral reefs to become exposed above sea level.

5. The day of Rhonda's trip finally arrived, so she loaded up all her luggage and headed to the airport. Bags checked and seated comfortably, Rhonda began to go over all her travel brochures for the hundredth time, trying to figure out how to fit everything she wanted to do into a week-long trip. As Rhonda loves the ocean, and water activities, she knew that she definitely wanted to take a day trip to the region of New Georgia Island where there are beautiful coral reefs to explore. Which of these regions might that be?

Answer: Munda

The Munda Region, made up of several small villages, is located on New Georgia Island, at the southwest end, in the Western Province. It is located about an hour's flight away from the capital of Honiara and was originally a large coconut plantation. Coral reefs are abundant nearby the region; some of the more popular locations for reef diving and snorkeling for tourists are Rainbow Passage, Haepe Pinnacle and Langarana Island, all considered to be within the Munda area. Munda also offers other water enjoyments, including the beautiful Roviana Lagoon and wreck diving at Casi Maru.

The rest of the country's islands also offer a great of attraction to those who love water activities. There are plenty more dive sites to be found, underwater wrecks to explore and tranquil lagoons to enjoy, as well as a variety of marine animals to see.

6. Rhonda's flight to the Solomon Islands went very smoothly. After collecting her baggage, she caught a taxi outside the airport and asked the driver to take her to the hotel. During the drive, Rhonda had her head stuck out the taxi window to take in the sights and sounds of her new surroundings and the local people. After passing by a few groups of people talking, Rhonda realized something. "I don't understand them!" she exclaimed, "but... I thought they spoke English here!" Is English the official language of the Solomon Islands?

Answer: Yes

English is the official language of the Solomon Islands, because it used to be a colony of the British Empire; however a very small percentage of the population actually speaks English. Around 94% of the population of the Solomon Islands are of Melanesian descent, and speak Melanesian languages.

Other ethnicities represented in the nation are Polynesian, Micronesian, and Chinese. The most common working language among Solomon Islanders who do not share the same mother tongue is Solomon Pijin.

7. Upon arrival at the hotel, Rhonda went to the front desk to check in, and started chatting with the clerk about everything she wanted to do and see during her vacation. "... and I want to go to the beach, and... oh! I want to see a palace! Where does King Solomon live?" Rhonda heard several people around her laugh derisively, and the clerk she was speaking with struggled not to chuckle as well. "Umm, ma'am," the clerk said slowly, "there is no such person as King Solomon... there is no King that lives here." Where would Rhonda have to go if she wanted to visit the home of the monarch associated with the Solomon Islands?

Answer: London, England

Since 1978, when the Solomon Islands was granted independence, the country has been a constitutional monarchy with the monarch of the United Kingdom as the head of state. Like other Commonwealth nations, the British monarch's role is mostly symbolic and ceremonial. The country's government is run by a prime minister, and a governor general represents the Queen.

8. After checking in and bringing her luggage up to her room, Rhonda started to unpack. She opened the room safe to put her valuables in, and pondered for a minute if she should put her passport in the safe, or keep it in her handbag. She decided to put it in the safe. "I won't need it until I leave the country in a week anyway!" she rationalized. Rhonda might need her passport during the week depending on which islands she wants to visit. An island located within the Solomon Islands actually belongs to another nation. Which island is not politically part of the Solomon Islands?

Answer: Bougainville

Bougainville, while located geographically with the Solomon Islands, is actually part of Papua New Guinea. It's the largest and main island of the Bougainville province.

Santa Isabel Island is located in the Isabel province of the Solomon Islands, and the longest island in the whole country. It is just North of Guadalcanal. Sikopo Island is a smaller island also located in the Isabel province.

Bellona Island is a small island in the province of Rennell and Bellona. Both Bellona and Rennell Islands are inhabited by mostly Polynesian residents, while the majority of the country's citizens are Melanesian.

9. Heading out on one of her sightseeing days, Rhonda stopped at the hotel's information desk to ask a question. "Excuse me," she said "I really like mountains. Do you have any mountains here?" "Yes, ma'am, of course! A big one, right here on this island," the clerk replied. "A big one? A reeeeally big one?" Rhonda asked hopefully. True or false: The highest peak in the Solomon Islands is classified as an Ultra peak (i.e. 1500 metres or higher).

Answer: True

The Solomon Island's highest point is Mount Popomanaseu, located on the Guadalcanal province, not too far from the capital city of Honiara. It is more than 2300 metres high, or more than 7600 feet high, making it an Ultra peak. Ultra is short for ultra-prominent, the highest classification of mountain height.

10. On her last day in the Solomon Islands, Rhonda decided she wanted to relax and take in a sporting event. She really likes basketball, but wasn't hopeful she'd find a basketball game to watch in the Solomon Islands. Which of these other sports is Rhonda also not likely to be able to see played in the Solomon Islands?

Answer: Ice hockey

Ice hockey really isn't very popular in the Pacific islands! Like many nations worldwide, Association Football (soccer, in North America) is popular in the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands national football team competed in the 2006 World Cup, but was defeated before qualifying for a play-off spot.

The country also has a beach soccer team that is considered to be a very good team that has played several times in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. In addition, the nation's rugby union team has competed in international tournaments since 1969. They also have a futsal team which first qualified for the FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2008.

Source: Author guitargoddess

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Pagiedamon before going online.
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Rhonda Goes to the Solomon Islands Quiz

Our eager, but not-so-smart traveller, is back! Rhonda enjoyed her trip to Rwanda so much, she wanted to go somewhere else! She picked Solomon Islands, but of course she doesn't know much about the country. Come along with Rhonda to learn something new!

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