A Glimpse At Fiji Facts

Fiji Facts on Geography

The archipelago of Fiji lies in the tropical Southern Hemisphere. It has about 300 islands and 500 islets but only 100 are inhabited. The two main islands are Vanua Levu and Viti Levu, where majority of the population reside and where the capital city of Suva is located. The two big islands are mountainous and dense with tropical forests. The other island groups include Taveuni and Kadavu, the Lomaiviti Group and the Lau Group including the popular tourist destinations, the Mamanuca Group of Islands and the Yasawa Group. Here are some Fiji facts on its history, politics, people and society.

Fiji Facts on History

Settlers came to Fiji probably around 500 BC. In the first half of the 1600s, a European navigator discovered Fiji. Missionaries and shipwrecked sailors inhabited Fiji during the first part of the 19th century. However, the presence of these people brought tribal conflicts and warfare between the indigenous groups of Fiji. As an effort to end conflict, Paramount Chief Cakobau asked Great Britain to rule over the islands in 1874. It was under the British rule that Fiji established its sugarcane plantations.

Fiji Facts on Government

Fiji gained its independence on October of 1970. However, conflicts between Indians and native Fijian political parties have prompted two coups in May and October of 1987. In 1990, a new constitution created a permanent legislative majority and in 1992, elections for new parliament's lower house were held and Col Sitiveni Rabuka became premier. Rabuka won another term in the 1994 elections. Rabuka created the Constitutional Review Commission, which led to a new constitution in 1997. It was around this time that Fiji became part of the Commonwealth of Nations again. The new millennium saw another set of coups and mutinies, the most recent is a coup d'état in December of 2006.
Fiji has a large army force and since the late 80s, the military has been either ruling the country or influencing government rule heavily.

Other Fiji Facts

Fiji's currency is the Fiji dollar. It has a tropical climate. Fijians have their own language but most locals speak English. Fijians are a mix race of native Fijians of Melanesia descent, Indians, Chinese, Europeans, and other minorities. It is predominantly a Christian country (about 80 to 90 percent) with Indo-Fijians belonging to the Hindu and Muslim religions. Rugby is considered as Fiji's national sport and its national rugby team has participated in the Rugby World Cups four times. Fiji has a highly communal society with strong attachment to family, the village and the land.