Fiji Information

South Pacific, Melanesia.

GMT + 12.

18,376 sq km (7,056 sq miles).

931,741 (2008).

51 per sq km.

Suva. Population: 86,702 (2007).

Fiji is located in the South Pacific, 3,000km (1,875 miles) east of Australia and approximately 1,930km (1,200 miles) south of the equator. It comprises 322 islands, 105 of which are inhabited (some are little more than rugged limestone islets or tiny coral cays). The three largest are Viti Levu (Great Fiji), Vanua Levu (Great Land of the People), both of which are extinct volcanoes rising abruptly from the sea, and Taveuni. There are thousands of streams and small rivers in Fiji, the largest being the Rewa River on Viti Levu, which is navigable for 128km (80 miles). Mount Victoria, also on Viti Levu, is the country's highest peak, at 1,322m (4,430ft).

Republic since 1987.

President Ratu Josefa Iloilo since 2000.

Frank Bainimarama since 2007 (interim prime minister).

Two coups by the Royal Fiji Military Forces in 1987, followed by a civil coup by indigenous Fijians in 2000, caused immense harm to the tourism industry and to Fiji's international reputation. Then, in December 2006, military chief Frank Bainimarama announced he had taken over the country and installed himself as interim prime minister from the start of 2007. Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, who Bainimarama accused of mis-managing the country's affairs, was sent back to his home island. At last report, the country was still awaiting promised fresh elections.

The principal languages are Fijian and Hindustani. English is widely spoken and is also taught in schools.

Methodist and Hindu with Roman Catholic and Muslim minorities. The 1997 Constitution of Fiji guarantees freedom of religion.

240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs used are Australian-style with two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade.

Fijians are a very welcoming people and visitors often experience local hospitality. Informal casual wear is generally acceptable.

Tips for visiting villages: Before visiting on your own, it is customary to purchase a bundle of unpounded yaqona (kava) - the traditional sevusevu (gift). When approaching the village, visitors should not enter immediately but wait until greeted. They will then be taken to the chief or turaga ni koro (headman), to whom the kava should be offered. Visitors who are accepted by the chief will be assigned a guide and host.

Once inside the village, please also note the following: visitors should dress modestly and not wear shorts or hats, and women should not have their shoulders bare; shoes should always be taken off when entering someone's house or any other village building; visitors should speak softly and not raise their voices too much as this may be interpreted as expressing anger; visitors should show respect but be cautious about praise as Fijians will feel obliged to make a gift of an object if visitors show too much liking for it; Fijians will always, out of custom, ask visitors to stay or eat with them; visitors who spend a night in the village should reward their host with a useful gift of similar value for each member of the party; money is acceptable if it's offered as a goodbye sevusevu and not direct payment.