The Solomon Islands is a sovereign nation located in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea. It consists of six major islands, with the capital and largest city being Honiara on the island of Guadalcanal. The Solomon Islands have a population of around 690,000 people, many of whom are Melanesian or Polynesian. The official language is English but other languages spoken include Pijin and Melanesian pidgin. The abbreviation for Solomon Islands is SB which comes from its colonial name ‘British Solomon Islands Protectorate’. This was changed to ‘Solomon Islands’ after independence in 1978. The Solomon Islands has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. Its terrain consists mostly of mountains with some coral atolls and lowlands. The country has an abundance of natural resources including timber, fish, minerals and oil; however it remains one of the least developed nations in the world due to a lack of infrastructure development and limited access to markets. Despite this, tourism is becoming an increasingly important source of income for the Solomon Islands due to its stunning beaches, unspoiled rainforests and unique wildlife such as marine turtles, dugongs and whales. Moreover there are numerous cultural attractions such as ancient fortifications like those at Malaita Island or traditional villages like those on Rennell Island where visitors can experience authentic local culture first-hand. In terms of international relations, the Solomon Islands maintains close ties with its Pacific neighbors such as Australia and New Zealand; it is also a member of many regional organizations including the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). See best-medical-schools for Solomon Islands Overview. The Solomon Islands is home to several major newspapers that provide coverage of news both locally and internationally. The most widely circulated newspaper in the Solomon Islands is the Solomon Star which was established in 1975 and covers a variety of topics such as politics, culture, economy, education, health care and sports. Additionally it also features opinion pieces by prominent writers from across the region discussing various topics related to Solomon Islander culture and society. Another major newspaper is the Island Sun which is published by Island Sun Newspaper Ltd. and focuses on business news with an emphasis on economic developments in the Solomon Islands. The newspaper also covers political developments from both local and international perspectives. Additionally it also provides a comprehensive overview of economic updates from around the world. The SIBC News is another popular paper which focuses on lifestyle topics such as fashion, travel, food, health and entertainment. Other notable newspapers include the Temotu Times which covers current events; Business News Solomon Islands which publishes articles related to business; Sports Talk which specializes in sports news; Island Life magazine which covers culture; Family Times magazine which is a family-focused publication; and Culture Plus magazine which specializes in cultural topics. All these publications provide readers with an insight into life in the Solomon Islands as well as helping them stay informed about current events happening around the world.