Fiji

RELATIVE LOCATION
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Located in the South Pacific
Ocean, northeast of New Zealand,
Fiji is geographically positioned in
both the southern and eastern
hemispheres
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Fiji is completely surrounded by
the Pacific Ocean.
 Fiji became an independent state in 1970, after gaining its
sovereignty from The United Kingdom. The population of Fiji is
890,057 (2012) and the nation has a density of 49 people per square
kilometer.
The currency of Fiji is the Fiji Dollar (FJD). As well, the people of
Fiji are refered to as Fijian.
Fiji does not share land borders with any countries.
The archipelago consists of a group of more than 330 islands, of
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which about one hundred are inhabited.

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The two major islands are Viti
Levu and Vanua Levu
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The island group covers a land
area of 18 274 km², this is about
twice the size of Cyprus or slightly
smaller than the US state of New
Jersey.
What is the capital of Fiji?
Suva is the capital city of Fiji
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Suva is also the political center of Fiji,
which is considered a Republic, and
home to its Ceremonial head of state.

Government buildings in Suva, Fiji

●Highest point is an extinct
volcano known as Mount
Tomanivi (Toamiivi; 1,324 m)
on Viti Levu
●Almost three-quarters of the
population live on the island of
Viti Levu where also the
country's capital Suva is located
 Relief
Fiji has a complex geologic
history. Based on a submerged
platform of ancient formation, the
Fiji islands are largely the product
of volcanic action, sedimentary
deposit, and formations of coral.

Waya Island, Yasawa Group, Fiji.

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Economy

Fiji has a market economy based

primarily on tourism and agriculture.
Tourism is Fiji’s leading economic
activity.Tourism is based on the
attractions of duty-free shopping and
colourful handicraft markets as well as
the usual draws of tropical islands.
Many hotels are located on small offshore islands or secluded beaches and
offer accommodations in houses of local design and materials rather than
in urban-style multistory buildings
 Clima
At Suva the average summer high temperature is in the mid-80s F
(about 29 °C), and the average winter low is in the high 60s F
(about 20 °C); temperatures typically are lower in elevated inland
areas. All districts receive the greatest amount of rainfall in the
season from November through March, during which time tropical
cyclones (hurricanes) are also experienced perhaps once every two
years. While rainfall is reduced in the east of the larger islands from
April to October, giving an annual average of about 120 inches
(3,000 mm) per year, it virtually ceases in the west, to give an
annual rainfall that approaches 70 inches (about 1,800 mm), thus
making for a sharp contrast in both climatic conditions and
agriculture between east and west.
 Plant and animal life
Almost half of Fiji’s total area remains forested, while dry
grasslands are found in western areas of the large islands.
Coconut palms are common in coastal areas, and almost all
tropical fruits and vegetables can be grown. Much of the
shoreline is composed of reefs and rocks, while mangrove
swamps are found on eastern coasts. There are few white-sand
swimming beaches and, because of the encircling reef, little
surf. Most animals, including pigs, dogs, cattle, and a few
horses, are domesticated. Mongooses, introduced to prey on
snakes and rats, are often seen.