Located in the South Pacific Ocean, the island country of Fiji is an archipelago, or group of islands, that surrounds the Koro Sea. It includes some 300 islands and 540 islets scattered over approximately 1,000,000 square miles (3,000,000 square kilometers). Only about 100 of the islands are inhabited. The port city of Suva, located on Viti Levu (Great Fiji), is the capital. GeographyFiji lies some 1,100 miles (1,800 kilometers) north of Auckland, New Zealand. The total land area is 7,055 square miles (18,272 square kilometers). The main islands are Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and Kandavu. The larger islands are volcanic in origin and are mountainous. There is an abrupt rise from the coasts to the mountains, which often reach more than 3,000 feet (900 meters) above sea level. The population is concentrated along the coasts, with the central mountainous areas often uninhabited. Many of the islands are surrounded by coral reefs. Fiji has two seasons—a hot, wet period that lasts from November through April, and a relatively cooler, drier period from May through October. Plants and animalsBecause of the pattern of rainfall, the eastern sides of the larger islands are covered with dense tropical forests while the western sides have dry grasslands. Much of the shoreline is composed of reefs and rocks, while mangrove swamps are found on the eastern coasts. Most of the islands' animals, including pigs, dogs, cattle, and a few horses, are domesticated. This means that they are not found in the wild—they are owned or used by people. Often seen are mongooses, which were introduced to Fiji by humans to prey on the islands' snakes and rats, and a few species of bird. People and cultureNative Fijians make up about half of the population. They are predominantly Christians. Most of the rest of the people are descendants of Indian laborers brought to Fiji in the 19th century to work on sugar estates. Most of those are Hindus, though some are Muslims. Other people on the islands are Europeans, Chinese, and Pacific Islanders from outside Fiji. According to the 1998 constitution, the English, Fijian, and Hindustani languages have equal status. Most people speak English and their local language. The population is about evenly divided between those who live in cities and those who live in rural areas. In addition to the capital of Suva, other major cities are Lautoka, Nadi, and Labasa. Economy - Farmers transport a load of sugarcane near Natandola, on the island of Viti Levu, Fiji.
Fiji's economy is largely based on agriculture. Native Fijians practice subsistence farming, which means that they grow just enough to live on. The main crops are coconuts, cassava, rice, sweet potatoes, and bananas. One of the few cash crops, or crops grown to be sold, is sugar. It has long been one of the country's leading exports. Next to sugar, tourism is the most important source of revenue. Fiji also exports clothing and gold, which is mined in northern Viti Levu. A timber industry developed after pine forests were planted beginning in the 1960s. HistoryFiji's first settlers arrived from other Pacific islands at least 3,500 years ago. In 1643 Abel Jansen Tasman, a Dutch navigator, became the first European to sight the islands. English navigators sailed through the islands in the late 18th century, and in 1792 Captain William Bligh explored and mapped the islands. Traders and missionaries arrived in the 19th century, and Fiji was proclaimed a British crown colony in 1874. On October 10, 1970, Fiji became an independent country. Since then politics have been marked by conflict between people of native Fijian heritage and those of Indian background. Each group has demanded a greater role in the government. Because of the dispute, there have been several changes of government, including one in 2001. The conflict continued, however. Population (2001 estimate), 827,000. |