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Location
South Pacific, Melanesia.
Time
GMT + 12.
Area
18,376 sq km (7,056 sq miles).
Population
905,949 (CIA estimate 2006).
Population Density
49 per sq km.
Capital
Suva. Population: 210,000 (metropolitan 2004).
Geography
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 uninhabited (some are little more than rugged limestone islets or tiny coral atolls). 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).
Government
Republic since 1987.
Head of State
President Ratu Josefa Iloilo since 2000.
Head of Government
Frank Bainimarama since 2007 (temporary leader).
Recent History
On 4-5 December 2006, Commander Bainimarama staged a military coup to dismiss Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. The coup was partly a reaction to Qarase's intentions of amnesty to those involved in a previous coup of May 2000. Bainimarama has temporarily assumed the premiership and has appointed a number of interim ministers. He has promised the interim adminstration will work towards a return to democracy.
George Speight organised the 2000 coup, holding ministers as hostages while he issued a series of demands. The stand-off lasted two months. After initially conceding to most of the rebel demands (including the dismissal of the then prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry), the military took control at the beginning of July. A few weeks later, the military moved against Speight and his followers, who were arrested. Bainimarama was heavily involved in this. An interim government under the veteran Taukei politician, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, was installed with Laisenia Qarase as premier. Following the elections in August 2001, a coalition government was formed between the the Fiji United Party and the smaller Conservative Alliance Party (Matanitu Vanua) and, despite the fact that most votes were won by the Labour Party, Laisenia Qarase remained as prime minister. The islands have since enjoyed reasonable stability, although nothing has been done to address the underlying causes of Fiji’s political problems. Qarase narrowly defeated Chaudhry's Labour Party in the 2006 elections.
George Speight organised the 2000 coup, holding ministers as hostages while he issued a series of demands. The stand-off lasted two months. After initially conceding to most of the rebel demands (including the dismissal of the then prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry), the military took control at the beginning of July. A few weeks later, the military moved against Speight and his followers, who were arrested. Bainimarama was heavily involved in this. An interim government under the veteran Taukei politician, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, was installed with Laisenia Qarase as premier. Following the elections in August 2001, a coalition government was formed between the the Fiji United Party and the smaller Conservative Alliance Party (Matanitu Vanua) and, despite the fact that most votes were won by the Labour Party, Laisenia Qarase remained as prime minister. The islands have since enjoyed reasonable stability, although nothing has been done to address the underlying causes of Fiji’s political problems. Qarase narrowly defeated Chaudhry's Labour Party in the 2006 elections.
Language
The principal languages are Fijian and Hindustani; English is widely spoken and is also taught in schools.
Religion
Methodist and Hindu with Roman Catholic and Muslim minorities. A strictly fundamentalist Methodist version of Christianity is enshrined in, and informs, the Fijian Constitution.
Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs used are Australian-style with two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade.
Social Conventions
Fijians are a very welcoming people and visitors should not be afraid to accept hospitality. Informal casual wear is generally acceptable.
Tips for visiting villages: Before visiting, 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; it is not recommended to give money.
Tips for visiting villages: Before visiting, 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; it is not recommended to give money.