The Republic of the Fiji Islands in located in the South Pacific Ocean at the east of Vanuatu, west of Tonga and south of Tuvalu. The archipelago comprises 322 islands and 522 islets. Viti Levu and Vanua Levu are the largest islands which are the home of 87% population of the island nation. Other two large islands are Taveuni and Kadavu. The capital Suva is located at 18 08 S, 178 25 E. Rotuma which is located at 500 km north of Fiji island enjoys a special administrative status with in Fiji.
HISTORY:- Fiji was inhabited long before the European settlements. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman visited the region in 1643. The British colonized Fiji in 1874. The major portion of Fijian history was dominated by the conflicts between Indian labours and the indigenous Fijians. The British crown brought over 60000 Indian labourers to work in the large sugarcane plant. The servitude was ended by 1920. On 10 October 1970, Fiji gained independence from Britain. Two military coups in 1987 interrupted the democratic rule. The country was renamed as Republic of Fiji in the same year. In 1990, a new constitution was adopted. Sitiveni Rabuka who led the 1987 coup became the Prime minister in 1992. Again a new constitution came into effect in 1998. In 1999, Fiji's first India originated Mahendra Chaudhry became the prime minister. Racial tensions led to the removal of President Chaudhry and his government was also withdrawn. In 2001 elections, no party could claim majority. The majority seat winner (31 of 71 seats) Laisenia Qarase became the Prime minister but in 2003, the Supreme Court declared his government illegal. In 2006, Qarase was re-elected as the Prime minister.
GEOGRAPHY:- Fiji is located at 18 00 S, 175 00 E in the Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. The main islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The island nation occupies total 18,270 sq km land area with no internal water source. The coastline is 1,129 km long along with the South Pacific Ocean. The lowest point is Pacific Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Tomanivi (1,324 m). The archipelago is mainly mountains of volcanic origin.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Fiji is tropical marine with little seasonal temperature variation.
GOVERNMENT:- Fiji is a republic. The constitution was adopted on 25th July 1997, and came into force on 28th July 1998. The legal system is based on the British system. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime minister (head of government), and cabinet. The Great Council of Chiefs elects the President. The cabinet ministers are appointed by the Prime minister.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral Parliament which consists of the Senate (32 seats) and House of Representatives (71 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court; Magistrates' Courts. The judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President.
Prominent political parties are Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL), Fiji Labor Party (FLP), United People's Party (UPP), National Federation Party (NFP), National Alliance Party (NAP), Nationalist Vanua Tako Lavo Party (NVTLP). Suffrage is universal at the age of 21.
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime minister (head of government), and cabinet. The Great Council of Chiefs elects the President. The cabinet ministers are appointed by the Prime minister.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral Parliament which consists of the Senate (32 seats) and House of Representatives (71 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court; Magistrates' Courts. The judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President.
Prominent political parties are Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL), Fiji Labor Party (FLP), United People's Party (UPP), National Federation Party (NFP), National Alliance Party (NAP), Nationalist Vanua Tako Lavo Party (NVTLP). Suffrage is universal at the age of 21.
President Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda (Josefa Iloilo)
Prime Minister Commodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama
GCC Chairman Ratu Ovini Bokini
Great Chief of Fiji Queen Elizabeth II
Prime Minister Commodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama
GCC Chairman Ratu Ovini Bokini
Great Chief of Fiji Queen Elizabeth II
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Fiji is divided into 4 divisions: Central, Eastern, Northern, Western and 1 dependency: Rotuma.
These divisions are further sub-divided into 14 districts.
These divisions are further sub-divided into 14 districts.
CULTURE:- Fijian culture is a blend of indigenous, Indian, Chinese and European cultures. Rugby union is the national sport of Fiji.
ECONOMY:- Fiji is one of most developed nations among the Pacific islands with huge sources of forest, mineral, and fish resources. Sugar export is the main growing industry of Fiji. Tourism is another major industry.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $3.731 billion; per capita $4,100.
Real growth rate: -3.1%.
Inflation: 3% (2005 est.).
Unemployment: 7.6% (1999).
Arable land: 11%.
Agriculture: sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish.
Labor force: 137,000 (1999); agriculture 70%, industry and services 30% (2001 est.).
Industries: tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries.
Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower.
Budget:
Revenues: $1.363 billion
Expenditures: $1.376 billion (2006)
Revenues: $1.363 billion
Expenditures: $1.376 billion (2006)
Debt - external: $127 million (2004 est.)
Exports: $934 million f.o.b. (2006): sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil.
Exports - partners: US 16.8%, Australia 13.9%, UK 13.5%, Japan 5.3%, Samoa 4.7%, Tonga 4.1% (2006)
Imports: $1.595 billion c.i.f. (2006): manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals.
Imports - partners: Singapore 28.8%, Australia 23.3%, NZ 16.8%, China 4.7% (2006)
Major trading partners: U.S., Australia, UK, Samoa, Japan, China, Tonga, New Zealand (2006).
Monetary unit: Fiji dollar
LANGUAGE:- English and Fijian are the official languages. Hindustani is also widely spoken.
CITIES:- The capital Suva is the largest city. Other major cities are Lautoka, Nadi.
POPULATION:- The estimated population is 918,675 with a growth rate of 1.4%.
Density per sq mi: 130
Literacy rate: 94% (2003 est.)
Density per sq mi: 130
Literacy rate: 94% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
Fijian 54.8% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture)
Indian 37.4%
Other 7.9% (European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese)
(2005)
Fijian 54.8% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture)
Indian 37.4%
Other 7.9% (European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese)
(2005)
RELIGION:-
Christian 53% (Methodist 34.5%, Roman Catholic 7.2%, Assembly of God 3.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.6%, other 4.9%)
Hindu 34% (Sanatan 25%, Arya Samaj 1.2%, other 7.8%)
Muslim 7% (Sunni 4.2%. other 2.8%)
Other or unspecified 5.6%
None 0.3%
(1996 census)
Christian 53% (Methodist 34.5%, Roman Catholic 7.2%, Assembly of God 3.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.6%, other 4.9%)
Hindu 34% (Sanatan 25%, Arya Samaj 1.2%, other 7.8%)
Muslim 7% (Sunni 4.2%. other 2.8%)
Other or unspecified 5.6%
None 0.3%
(1996 census)
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 22.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 11.88 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.44 years
Total fertility rate: 2.68 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 200 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 271
Birth rate: 22.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 11.88 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.44 years
Total fertility rate: 2.68 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 200 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 271
UNICEF:- UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme fights against violence against children. UNICEF and its partners provide psychosocial support to conflict-affected children. UNICEF’s Adolescent Development and Child Health Programme promote awareness on HIV among the youth, trains the youth to enhance their skills. Teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and trafficking of children are the major issues with the country. UNICEF supplies vaccines at a low cost.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 597 km; (2006).
Highways: total: 3,440 km; paved: 1,692 km; unpaved: 1,748 km (1999 est.).
Waterways: 203 km; (2004).
Ports and harbors: Lambasa, Lautoka, Suva.
Airports: 28 (2007).
Railways: total: 597 km; (2006).
Highways: total: 3,440 km; paved: 1,692 km; unpaved: 1,748 km (1999 est.).
Waterways: 203 km; (2004).
Ports and harbors: Lambasa, Lautoka, Suva.
Airports: 28 (2007).
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