| General info about Solomon-Islands |
First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions.
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| Languages spoken |
| French (official) |
| Ethnic division |
| Basques and Bretons (French fishermen) |
| HIV/AIDS prevalence rate |
| NA |
| Climate |
| cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy |
| Resources |
| fish, deepwater ports |
| Economy |
| The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because of disputes with Canada over fishing quotas and a steady decline in the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre. In 1992, an arbitration panel awarded the islands an exclusive economic zone of 12,348 sq km to settle a longstanding territorial dispute with Canada, although it represents only 25% of what France had sought. France heavily subsidizes the islands to the great betterment of living standards. The government hopes an expansion of tourism will boost economic prospects. Fish farming, crab fishing, and agriculture are being developed to diversify the local economy. Recent test drilling for oil may pave the way for development of the energy sector. |
| Environment |
| recent test drilling for oil in waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon may bring future development that would impact the environment |
