| 190th | Top diplomatic missions of Japan |
| 90th | Top diplomatic missions of Australia |
| Honiara | |
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Honiara
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| Coordinates: 9°26′S 159°57′E / 9.433°S 159.95°E | |
| Country |  Solomon
Islands |
| Province | Honiara Town |
| Island | Guadalcanal |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Andrew Mua |
| Population (2003) | |
| - Total | 54,600 |
| Time zone | UTC (UTC+11) |
Honiara, population 49,107 (1999), 54,600 (2003 est.), is the capital of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province, although it is a separately administered town. The name "Honiara" is actually a misnomer: the English colonialists found it hard to pronounce the original name of the area in the northern Guadalcanal languages: Nagoniara. Nagoniara means "in front of the wind."
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Honiara is located on the northern coast of the island of Guadalcanal and includes a sea port at Point Cruz. The town revolves around the Kukum Highway, which connects Henderson Field in the east of Honiara with the settlement of White River in the west, and passes the National Referral Hospital and the recently burnt down Chinatown. Honiara is located at 9°28' South, 159°49' East (-9.46667, 159.81667). [1]
The climate is tropical, the average daytime temperature is about 28 degrees Celsius, the water temperatures between 26 and 29 degrees. Damper periods are predominantly between November and April. The average amount of precipitation per year is about 2,000 mm and thus somewhat lower than the average on the entire Solomon Islands (3,000 mm).
Honiara is served by the Honiara International Airport, located about 10 kilometers outside the city. The industry is in form of several beverage factories and a cookie factory. Major exports are timber, coconuts, copra and fish. The most important trade partners are Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
Honiara is the Solomon Islands' springboard for tourism activities. The country's tourist office, the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau [1], is located on Honiara's main thoroughfare, Mendana Avenue. Situated between the shady Yacht Club and the popular Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel, its officers provide tourist information and can radio ahead to announce visitors' arrivals to guest houses in the remoter areas. Honiara has a harbour from which ferries depart to the various provinces. The gardens of the National Art Gallery are popular for afternoon strolls, while the reconstructed Government House and the National Museum exist. A botanical garden admits lots of orchids and shrubs. The spectacular Tenaru falls can be found a one hour's drive and a three-hour hike from Henderson International Airport.
Honiara is predominantly Christian and is served by the headquarters of the Church of the Province of Melanesia (Anglican), the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Honiara, the South Seas Evangelical Church, the United Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church and other Christian churches. There are many congregations of American and Australian style charismatic and/or evangelical movements. There are also members of the Bahá'í Faith, Buddhist, Jehovah's Witness, Mormon and Muslim religions.
What is now Honiara was close to the site of Guadalcanal Campaign in World War II. It was built to replace the former capital of Tulagi at the end of that war. Honiara officially became the capital of the Solomon Islands in 1952. After violent rebellions in the year 2000, the protection of the population was promised by Australian units, since the Solomon Islands have no military. In 2006, riots broke out following the election of Snyder Rini as Prime Minister, destroying part of Chinatown and displacing more than 1000 Chinese residents. [2] Three National Parliament members, Charles Dausabea, Nelson Ne'e, and Patrick Vahoe, [3] were arrested during or as a result of the riots.
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Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands. It is on Guadalcanal.
The only international airport in the Solomon Islands is Henderson Field.
Taxis are relatively plentiful and cheap in Honiara. They can be either ordered of flagged down. There are also frequent minibuses that operate along the coastal strip from Henderson to White River stopping making numerous stops along the way.
Honiara contains a wealth of World War 2 sites - most of the hills in the Honiara area were the sites of fierce battles during World War 2.
The Central Market is a site to behold, in particular on Saturday mornings where you can pick up hand made jewelery and crafts.
Dive, explore, make plans or seeing the rest of the country
There are many craft/souvenir shops located along the coastal strip. Additionally the central market is a great place to by local handicrafts.
There is surprising variety in Honiara with many restaurants catering to expats.
The Lime Lounge Is a coffee shop located near the Central Market where coffee, cakes, burgers and sandwhiches can be gotten. It is relatively expensive however.
The Taj Mahal Located near the airport has excellent Indian and Sri Lankan food and is excellent value.
Korean BBQ Located on what looks like wasteground near the Central Market. They serve excellent dishes even though the decor is quite rustic.
Honiara Hotel Located overlooking Chinatown has several restaurants; an excellent French restaurant, a Chinese restaurant (planned) and a general restaurant serving sandwhiches and burgers
Iron Bottom Sound There is an excellent Japanese restaurant here with a terrace where drinks can be served. An excellent place to watch the sunset.
The Yacht Club The favoured hangout of expats in Honiara, the yacht club has a variety of simple and inexpensive meals available nightly.
Rain Tree Cafe A beautiful sea front location on the west end of Honiara amid quiet gardens and under a thatch leaf house. Great coffee, smoothies, lassies, and fresh organic food, wood fired pizzas. This is a great place for sunset meals, breakfasts and hanging out on weekends. Locally owned and operated by local women. BYO Rain Tree Cafe Website
See above
There are many hotels in Honiara, mainly catering to expats. The Honiara Hotel, the King Solomon, Iron Bottom Sound, The Airport Motel and the Casino are a few
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Honiara
Honiara, population 49,107 (1999), is the capital city of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province.
The town is located on the island of Guadalcanal, and was built to replace the former capital of Tulagi at the end of World War II. Honiara became the capital of the Solomon Islands in 1952. The town revolves around the Kukum Highway, which connects Henderson field in the east of Honiara with the White River in the west, and passes the hospital Nambanaen and the recently burned down Chinatown. Honiara has a dock from which ships depart to other provinces. The gardens of the National Art Gallery are popular for afternoon strolls.
   | Third Solomons MP arrested over riot - Third Solomons MP arrested over riot - World - smh.com.au |
| | Riots highlight Chinese tensions - BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Riots highlight Chinese tensions |
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