Definition of: Solomon Islands

An archipelago in the SW Pacific east of New Guinea; about 16,500 square miles; the SE islands, including Guadalcanal, Santa Isabel, San Cristobal, Choiseul, New Georgia, and Malaita, comprise a British protectorate; total, 11,500 square miles; capital, Honiara, on Guadalcanal; the NW islands, including Bougainville, Buka and adjacent islands (total 4,320 square miles) are part of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, administered by Australia.