Fiji

Fiji, formally referred to as the Republic of Fiji, is an intriguing island nation situated in Melanesia, inside Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. This scenic country is recognized for its breathtaking scenery, extensive cultural legacy, and dynamic villages. Located around 1,100 nautical miles (2,000 km; 1,300 mi) north-northeast of New Zealand, Fiji is a tropical haven for tourists and an important geopolitical player in the Pacific area.

Fiji is an archipelago consisting of over 330 islands, about 110 of which are permanently inhabited, in addition to more than 500 islets. The overall land area is roughly 18,300 square kilometers (7,100 square miles). The most isolated group among these islands is Ono-i-Lau. The two largest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, accommodate over 87% of the nation’s population, totaling around 924,610 individuals. The majority of Fijians inhabit the coastal regions of Viti Levu, mostly in the vibrant capital city of Suva or in smaller metropolitan locales like Nadi and Lautoka. Nadi serves as a tourism hub, whilst Lautoka is recognized for its sugarcane sector. The interior of Viti Levu is sparsely inhabited owing to its harsh topography.

The islands of Fiji are a result of volcanic activity that started some 150 million years ago. Despite the significant reduction in volcanic activity, certain geothermal phenomena continue, especially on the islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni. The geothermal systems in Viti Levu are non-volcanic, exhibiting low-temperature surface discharges between 35 and 60 degrees Celsius (95 to 140 °F).

Human habitation in Fiji commenced in the second millennium BC, originally by Austronesians, succeeded by Melanesians, with subsequent impacts from Polynesian civilizations. European contact commenced in the 17th century, signifying a new era in Fiji’s history. In 1874, after a short tenure as an independent nation, Fiji was established as a British colony. It remained a Crown colony until 1970, when it attained independence and became the Dominion of Fiji. In 1987, the nation’s political landscape underwent upheaval due to a succession of coups d’état, resulting in the formation of a republic. In 2006, Commodore Frank Bainimarama executed a coup, resulting in a substantial political upheaval. In 2009, the Fijian High Court declared the military leadership illegal, leading President Ratu Josefa Iloilo to annul the 1997 Constitution and reappoint Bainimarama as temporary prime minister. Later that year, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau succeeded Iloilo as the president. A democratic election occurred on 17 September 2014, in which Bainimarama’s FijiFirst party obtained 59.2% of the votes, an election seen as credible by foreign observers.

Fiji is one of the most advanced economies in the Pacific, supported by its abundant natural resources, such as forests, minerals, and fisheries. The Fijian dollar functions as the official currency. Primary sources of foreign money are the flourishing tourism sector, remittances from Fijians employed elsewhere, exports of bottled water, and sugarcane cultivation. The Ministry of Local Government and metropolitan Development supervises Fiji’s local government, which functions via city and town councils, assuring efficient management of metropolitan regions.

The cultural fabric of Fiji is composed of its several ethnic groups, chiefly Fijians of Melanesian and Polynesian heritage, alongside Indo-Fijians, who are the descendants of Indian laborers brought to Fiji during the colonial era. The amalgamation of cultures in Fiji is evident in its languages, food, and traditions, resulting in a distinctive and cohesive civilization. The Fijian language, alongside English and Fiji Hindi, is extensively spoken, promoting communication and cultural interchange.