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According to the book by Colin Jack Hilton: 'The Search for the Solomon Islands 1567-1838' (Clarendon press 1969), The title Solomon Islands became popular after the first Imperial Spanish mission which 'discovered' a number of the islands in 1568. On setting out, the ships captain, Alvaro De Mendana, believed that this area of the South pacific 'contained a vast Austral Continent, the Ophir of King Solomon' as reported by Marco Polo; the islands were also thought to have been known to the Inca's (pg. xv introduction). Scholars had long pondered the whereabouts of the Ophir of Solomon- the place from which the Biblical King is said to have imported the gold to build his temple in Jerusalem. The only clue to its whereabouts was a passage from the Third Book of Kings, quoted- in full- on page 13 of Hilton's text: 'And King Solomon made a Navy of ships....on the shore of the red sea ...and Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon. And they came to Ophir, and fetched thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to King Solomon.' Hilton goes on: ' It was perhaps almost inevitable that Ophir, an unknown and uncertain place, should have become identifed in men's minds with Kyryse, Argyre and the Golden Khersonese of Ptolemy, the lands described by Marco Polo and the antipodean continent, for so extreme does their concept of the wealth of Ophir seem to have been, that, as geographical knowledge extended eastwards and westwards without Ophir being recognized, its supposed position moved with that knowledge, always a little ahead of the latest discovery.' (13) It goes without saying that the Spaniards did search for gold during their exploration of islands upon this first mission but somewhat fruitlessly! It is worth noting that the Solomon Islands then remained 'undiscovered' and somewhat mythical, for another two hundred years before traders and colonialists returned.
What else can I help you with?
Why is the Solomon Sea called by this name?
So named because of the Solomon Islands. These islands were discovered by the Spanish in 1568 who found signs of gold on Guadalcanal. The Spanish thought they had found 'King Solomon's Mines' and named the Islands accordingly
Which country is name named after a person?
Jordan, Georgia, Solomon Islands.
What unique species of trees can be found in the Solomon Islands?
The Solomon Islands are home to unique tree species such as the Solomon mahogany, Solomon ironwood, and the Solomon Islands pine.
What is the nickname for Solomon islands?
what is the zip code for Solomon Islands
What is the national flower of Solomon Islands?
The Hibiscus is the national flower of the Solomon Islands.
What island group is named after a type of crocodile?
The island group named after a type of crocodile is the Andaman Islands. The name "Andaman" is believed to have originated from the Malay word for the Malay Peninsula, "Handuman," which means "Land of the Handuman," referring to the Hanuman langurs found on the islands. The islands are located in the Bay of Bengal and are known for their unique biodiversity and indigenous tribes.
Who is the Prime Minister for the Solomon Islands?
The Solomon Islands has no president, it is a constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is the monarch of the Solomon Islands.
In what ocean ocean are the Solomon islands?
The Solomon Islands are in the South Pacific.
What is the currency used in the Solomon islands?
Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
What is the capital of the 'Solomon Islands' in the Western Pacific?
Honiara is the capital city of The Solomon Islands.
Is Solomon a high or low island?
if you meant solomon islands, they are high islands:)
When was Solomon Islands dollar created?
Solomon Islands dollar was created in 1977.
