The Fiji islands

Fiji is a republic in the southern Pacific Ocean. Fiji comprises 332 islands
and islets, but only 110 of them are inhabited.

Geography

Location: Southern Pacific Ocean, Melanesia, 2,500 km north of New Zealand
in the south Pacific Ocean.
 
Area: 18,274 km2

Climate: tropical marine, only slight seasonal temperature variation.
Average temperature is 25øC

Terrain: Mostly mountains of volcanic origin

Natural resources: timber, fish , gold , copper, oil, sugar, molasses
                                                       
The largest and most important islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, which
together comprise more than 85% of the total land area. Viti Levu has most
mountains and the highest peak, Mount Tomaniivi (1323 m).

People

Population: 765.000
 
Ethnic divisions: Fijian 49%, Indian 46%, European, other Pacific Islanders,
Chinese, and other 5%

Religions: Christian 52%, Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2%.
(Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim
minority.

Languages: English (official), Fijian, Hindustani

Literacy: 86% of the total population over 15 year can read and write

Economy

Principal crops are coconuts, sugarcane, ginger, rice, cacao, coffee, corn,
bananas, sweet potatoes, kava, taro, beans, pumpkins, pineapples and
tobacco. The livestock of Fiji is 159 000 cattle, 60 000 goats and 29 000
pigs. The industrial include sawmills, sugar, coconut oil, tuna, rice, copra
dryers, pineapple factories, dairies, slaughterhouses and biscuit and tea
factories. The Fiji has also a well-developed handicraft industry. They are
making mats, baskets, fishing nets, and pottery. They are also skilled
carpenters, boatbuilders, farmers, and fishers. Tourism's is a big source of
income.
Currency: 1 Fiji dollar (F$) = 100 cents

 
History

1643 The Fiji islands were sighted by the Dutch navigator Abel Janszoon Tasman.

1774 The turtle islands was discovery by the British navigator Captain James
Cook.

1840 USA did the first complete survey of the islands.

1874 The Fiji islands were unconditionally ceded to Great Britain by the
Fijian king Thakombau.

1881 The Routoma become a colony.

1939-45 During the World War II Fiji became an important Allied supply
station and lot of air and naval installations were constructed here.

1970 Fiji became an independent state and a member of United Nations

1987 Lieutenant Colonel  Rabuka become president after a military coup.

1992 Rabuka was elected prime minister, and was reelected 1994.


Suva

Suva is the capital of Fiji. Suva is placed on Fijiïs biggest island Viti
Levu. Fijiïs chief seaport is in Suva.