Asia Capitals Quiz
Test your knowledge of Asian countries and their capital cities.
🇸🇧 Solomon Islands
Capital: Honiara
Honiara – The capital and largest city of the Solomon Islands.
Honiara is the capital and largest city of the Solomon Islands, located on the northwestern coast of Guadalcanal. The modern city developed after World War II, when the British colonial administration decided to move the capital from Tulagi to an area where wartime infrastructure was already available. Honiara became the capital of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate in 1952 and remained the national capital when the Solomon Islands gained independence in 1978. Today it is the country’s main center of government, commerce, transport, education, and national institutions.
đź“ś Timeline of Honiara
1942: The Guadalcanal Campaign brings extensive Japanese and Allied military activity to the area around present-day Honiara and Henderson Field.
1945: After World War II, the British colonial administration decides to move the capital from Tulagi to Honiara, and planning begins for the new administrative center.
1952: Honiara formally becomes the capital of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate.
1978: The Solomon Islands gains independence from Britain, with Honiara continuing as the national capital.
1998–2003: Ethnic conflict known locally as “the Tensions” affects Guadalcanal and Honiara, including serious unrest in the capital.
Today: Honiara remains the country’s political and commercial center and its main international transport gateway.
đź“Š City Stats
Capital Since
1952
Language
English (official); Solomon Islands Pijin widely used
Currency
Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD)
Geography
Northwestern coast of Guadalcanal, facing Ironbottom Sound
Time Zone
Solomon Islands Time (SBT), UTC+11
Calling Code
+677
Driving Side
Left-hand traffic
🏛️ Iconic Landmarks
Solomon Islands National Museum
The national museum in central Honiara preserves cultural objects, historical material, art, and collections related to communities across the Solomon Islands.
St. Barnabas Anglican Cathedral
A major Anglican cathedral in Honiara and an important place of worship for the Church of Melanesia.
Honiara Central Market
A busy waterfront market where vendors sell fresh produce, fish, food, clothing, handicrafts, and other local goods.
Honiara combines national government offices, commercial districts, markets, schools, cultural institutions, a seaport, and the country’s main international airport. Its postwar development and location on Guadalcanal have also left the city closely connected with the history of the Pacific campaign during World War II.
