HONIARA

town, capital of the Solomon Islands, southwestern Pacific Ocean. The town is situated at the mouth of the Mataniko River on the north coast of Guadalcanal. A port and communications centre, it trades chiefly in coconuts, timber, fish, and some gold (from Gold Ridge in the centre of the island). Henderson Airfield, the Solomons' international airport, is 10 miles (16 km) east. Prior to World War II the town did not exist; it developed around the site of the U.S. military headquarters. In 1952 it officially replaced Tulagi as the capital of the Solomons. Government buildings are on a narrow coastal strip behind Point Cruz. Pop. (1990 est.) 35,288.