Solomon Islands · Gateway to WWII History
호니아라
솔로몬 제도 (Solomon Islands)
116,581
Capital & Largest City
SBT (UTC+11)
Honiara is the capital and largest city of the Solomon Islands, with a population of 116,581 residents. Located on the northwestern coast of Guadalcanal Island, Honiara serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of this Melanesian archipelago nation. The city's name derives from "nagho ni ara," meaning "place of the east wind" in the local language, reflecting its position on the windward side of the island.
The city is forever linked to World War II history, particularly the Guadalcanal Campaign (1942-1943), one of the Pacific War's most significant battles. Honiara itself was built after the war near the former American military base at Henderson Field. Today, the city is dotted with war memorials, battlefields, and museums that preserve this important heritage. Visitors can explore Red Beach, Bloody Ridge, and the Guadalcanal American Memorial, which commemorates the sacrifices made during the campaign.
Modern Honiara is a developing tropical city combining traditional Melanesian culture with contemporary Pacific Island life. The city features bustling markets, government buildings, educational institutions, and serves as the gateway to the Solomon Islands' stunning natural beauty. Despite challenges common to developing nations, Honiara maintains steady growth with real GDP projected at 2.5% for 2025, driven by services, agriculture, and mining sectors. Timber exports, particularly wood and paper products, remain the top export commodity.
A WWII monument overlooking Honiara and the Mataniko River on Skyline Drive, dedicated on August 7, 1992. The memorial honors Americans and their allies who died during the Guadalcanal Campaign. The 83rd Anniversary Commemoration on August 7, 2025 featured a sunrise ceremony, wreath laying, and moment of silence for the fallen.
The primary WWII landing zone from November 20-23, 1943, now littered with wartime debris. At low tide, visitors can see landing craft and wreckage visible in the shallow waters, serving as haunting reminders of the fierce battles fought on these shores. This historic site offers a sobering connection to the Pacific War.
A crucial WWII battle site where intense fighting occurred during the Guadalcanal Campaign. The ridge witnessed some of the campaign's fiercest combat as U.S. Marines defended Henderson Field against Japanese forces. Annual ceremonies in 2025 commemorate the courage and sacrifice of soldiers who fought on this strategic position.
An open-air museum showcasing WWII relics, including aircraft wreckage, artillery pieces, and military equipment from both American and Japanese forces. The museum offers free admission and provides fascinating insights into the Guadalcanal Campaign through preserved artifacts scattered across the grounds in their original jungle setting.
The waters between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Islands earned this name due to numerous shipwrecks from WWII naval battles. Over 50 ships and aircraft rest on the ocean floor, creating one of the world's most significant underwater war graveyards. The site is popular with experienced divers exploring these historic wrecks.
A memorial dedicated to Japanese soldiers who died during the Guadalcanal Campaign, located on Mount Austen. The memorial represents reconciliation and peace, honoring those who fell in battle. The site offers panoramic views of Honiara and Iron Bottom Sound while providing a place for reflection on the war's human cost.
Honiara's economy is driven by services, agriculture, and mining sectors, with the national GDP standing at $1.76 billion and GDP per capita at $2,149. Real GDP growth is projected at 2.5% for 2025, reflecting steady but modest economic expansion. Timber exports, particularly wood and paper products, constitute the top export commodity for the Solomon Islands, providing crucial foreign exchange earnings and employment.
The city serves as the commercial and administrative hub for the Solomon Islands, hosting government offices, financial institutions, educational facilities, and the main port. The Central Market in Honiara is a vibrant center of economic activity where vendors sell fresh produce, seafood, handicrafts, and traditional items. Tourism, particularly war history tourism, contributes to the economy as visitors come to explore WWII sites and dive the wrecks of Iron Bottom Sound.
Culturally, Honiara reflects Melanesian traditions with over 70 different languages spoken across the Solomon Islands, though Solomon Islands Pijin serves as the lingua franca. Traditional customs, shell money (tafuliae), and wood carving remain important cultural practices. The city hosts cultural festivals showcasing traditional dances, music, and crafts. Despite modernization, many residents maintain strong connections to their village communities and traditional ways of life, creating a unique blend of urban and traditional Pacific Island culture.
Honiara's history is inextricably linked to World War II. Before the war, the area was relatively undeveloped, with the colonial capital located at Tulagi. The Guadalcanal Campaign (August 1942 - February 1943) transformed the region when Allied forces, primarily U.S. Marines, launched the first major offensive against Japanese forces in the Pacific. The campaign centered on capturing and defending Henderson Field (now Honiara International Airport), resulting in intense fighting on land, sea, and air.
Following the Allied victory, the capital was relocated from war-damaged Tulagi to the site near Henderson Field, where American forces had built substantial infrastructure. The new town was named Honiara, and construction began in 1945. The city developed rapidly, incorporating American military roads, facilities, and airfields. The Solomon Islands gained independence from Britain on July 7, 1978, with Honiara as the national capital. The 83rd anniversary of the Guadalcanal landings in 2025 continues to be commemorated annually, honoring the 6,400 Japanese, Korean, and American deaths during one of the Pacific's bloodiest battles. Today, Honiara balances its role as a modern capital while preserving its significant WWII heritage through memorials, museums, and preserved battle sites.
Bureau Chief 지원자는 물론, Honiara를 방문하시는 모든 분들을 위해
편리한 여행 서비스를 안내해드립니다
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