Fiji - Tourism and Travel

The Republic of Fiji is a country in Melanesia, in Oceania, that is made up of more than three hundred volcanic islands. There are large two islands: Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Viti Levu is the larger of the two. The other islands are much smaller.

Fiji has a total area of 7,077 square miles (18,330 square kilometers).

The two main islands are mountainous.

Mount Victoria on Viti Levu is the largest island on Fiji. It is 4,339 feet (1,323 meters) high.

Fiji has a tropical climate.

The capital of Fiji is Suva, on Viti Levu.

849,000 people live in Fiji.

55% are Melanesian and 44% are Indian.

Fijian and English are official languages. Other languages spoken include Hindu, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.

38% of the people are Hindu, 37% are Methodist, 9% are Roman Catholic and 8% are Muslim.

The main economic activities in Fiji are tourism, agriculture, forestry, fishing and gold mining. Sugar is Fiji's primary export.

Ecotourism is important.

A popular destination for ecotourists is Abaca Ecotourist Park on Viti Levu, near the city of Laotoka.

The government of Fiji believes that it is important raise awareness of the importance of preserving Fiji's environment. Fiji's coral reefs have already suffered damage. Fiji was downwind to the main nuclear testing sites of some western nations.

The official currency of Fiji is the Fiji dollar, which consists of 100 cents

Fiji was once a British colony. It gained independence in 1970.

Since it's independence, Fiji has experienced a number of military coups, which were related to ethnic divisions.

Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth on Nations in 2009 because of the lack of democratic behavior in its political institutions. The president of Fiji at the time, Josefa Iloilo, suspended the Constitution that year.

In 2012, interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama promised that Fiji would hold democratic elections in 2014.