Fiji (Fijian: Matanitu ko Viti; Fijian Hindustani: फ़िजी), officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands, is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean east of Vanuatu, west of Tonga and south of Tuvalu. The country occupies an archipelago of about 322 islands, of which 106 are permanently inhabited, and 522 islets. The two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for 87% of the population.Etymology
Fiji’s main island is known as Viti Levu and it is from this that the name "Fiji" is derived, through the pronunciation of their island neighbours in Tonga. Its emergence was best described as follows:
“Fijians first impressed themselves on European consciousness through the writings of the members of the expeditions of Cook who met them in Tonga. They were described as formidable warriors and ferocious cannibals, builders of the finest vessels in the Pacific, but not great sailors. They inspired awe amongst the Tongans, and all their Manufactures, especially bark cloth and clubs, were highly esteemed and much in demand. They called their home Viti, but the Tongans called it Fisi, and it was by this foreign pronunciation, Fiji, first promulgated by Captain James Cook, that these islands are now known.
Fiji’s main island is known as Viti Levu and it is from this that the name "Fiji" is derived, through the pronunciation of their island neighbours in Tonga. Its emergence was best described as follows:
“Fijians first impressed themselves on European consciousness through the writings of the members of the expeditions of Cook who met them in Tonga. They were described as formidable warriors and ferocious cannibals, builders of the finest vessels in the Pacific, but not great sailors. They inspired awe amongst the Tongans, and all their Manufactures, especially bark cloth and clubs, were highly esteemed and much in demand. They called their home Viti, but the Tongans called it Fisi, and it was by this foreign pronunciation, Fiji, first promulgated by Captain James Cook, that these islands are now known.
History
The first inhabitants of Fiji arrived long before contact with European explorers in the seventeenth century. Pottery excavated from Fijian towns shows that Fiji was settled before or around 1000 BC, although the question of Pacific migration still lingers.[2] The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman visited Fiji in 1643 while looking for the Great Southern Continent.[3] It was not until the nineteenth century, however, that Europeans settled the islands permanently.[4] The islands came under British control as a colony in 1874, and the British brought over Indian contract labourers. It was granted independence in 1970. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987 because the government was perceived as dominated by the Indo-Fijian (Indian) community. The second 1987 coup saw the British monarchy and the Governor General replaced by a non-executive President, and the country changed the long form of its name from Dominion of Fiji to Republic of Fiji (and to Republic of the Fiji Islands in 1997). The coups contributed to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties but ensured that Melanesians became the majority.
In 1990, the new Constitution institutionalised the ethnic Fijian domination of the political system. The Group Against Racial Discrimination (GARD) was formed to oppose the unilaterally imposed constitution and restore the 1970 constitution. Sitiveni Rabuka, the Lieutenant Colonel who carried out the 1987 coup became Prime Minister in 1992, following elections held under the new constitution. Three years later, Rabuka established the Constitutional Review Commission, which in 1997 led to a new Constitution, which was supported by most leaders of the indigenous Fijian and Indo-Fijian communities. Fiji is re-admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations.
In 1990, the new Constitution institutionalised the ethnic Fijian domination of the political system. The Group Against Racial Discrimination (GARD) was formed to oppose the unilaterally imposed constitution and restore the 1970 constitution. Sitiveni Rabuka, the Lieutenant Colonel who carried out the 1987 coup became Prime Minister in 1992, following elections held under the new constitution. Three years later, Rabuka established the Constitutional Review Commission, which in 1997 led to a new Constitution, which was supported by most leaders of the indigenous Fijian and Indo-Fijian communities. Fiji is re-admitted to the Commonwealth of Nations.
Geography
Fiji consists of 322 islands (of which 106 are inhabited) and 522 smaller islets. The two most important islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The islands are mountainous, with peaks up to 1,300 metres (4,250 ft), and covered with tropical forests. Viti Levu hosts the capital city of Suva, and is home to nearly three quarters of the population. Other important towns include Nadi (the location of the international airport), and Lautoka (the location of a large sugar mill and a sea-port). The main towns on Vanua Levu are Labasa and Savusavu. Other islands and island groups include Taveuni and Kadavu (the third and fourth largest islands respectively), the Mamanuca Group (just outside Nadi) and Yasawa Group, which are popular tourist destinations, the Lomaiviti Group, outside of Suva, and the remote Lau Group. Rotuma, some 500 kilometres (310 mi) north of the archipelago, has a special administrative status in Fiji. Fiji's nearest neighbour is Tonga.
Nature
Within the 850,000 hectares of natural forests in Fiji (nearly half the total landmass), there are large areas of hardwood trees including Sandalwood and Kauri. Fiji's rainforest covers much of the larger islands, most of which is owned by local village clans. Here there are more than 2000 indigenous plant species, many of which have medicinal use to both locals and multi-national pharmaceutical companies. Mangrove ForestsMangroves are estimated to cover nearly 20,000 hectares of Fiji's coastal regions. These remarkable trees tolerate salty waters and anchor themselves in tidal estuaries or in muddy water that is high in oxygen. The mangrove forests are rich in bird and sea-life and are excellent fishing grounds for the locals.Many parts of the coast along Viti Levu are covered in mangrove forests. A boat journey through the meandering corridors of the mangrove forests has yet to catch on as a tour in itself. However, some resorts offer guests private tours through these environments and it is quite easy to find a small boat around Nausori that is dropping passengers off at their villages along the river banks of the mangrove forests.
mangroves
flowersBotanical GardensThe Garden of the Sleeping Giant sits at the foothills of the Nausori Highlands about 10 minutes drive north of Nadi. The attractive landscaped gardens specialise in Fiji's native plants as well as housing an impressive collection of orchids, some native. A jungle walk takes visitors past a large lily pond and through native forest.Thurston Gardens in Suva is a public botanical park next to the Fiji Museum. Although there are few flowers in the park, the indigenous shrubs and trees are all labelled and give a calming atmosphere in the centre of this busy City.South Sea Orchids, the Burness family home just outside Nadi, also has a collection of orchids and other tropical flowers. The family welcome visitors to their charming home and will happily show you their collection of traditional and colonial artefacts.A unique feature in Fiji is the rare Tagimaucia flower which is found in the high rainforests of Taveuni and Vanua Levu in the Northern Islands. The most prolific flowering is around scenic Lake Tagimaucia between October and December. The trail is quite arduous, especially on a hot and humid day.
tagimaucia flower
sea birdsBird lifeThere are over 100 species of birds in Fiji. The main island of Viti Levu has many species of birds, especially around the rainforests along the coral coast and Pacific Harbour. Kadavu, a large rainforested island in the Southern Islands, has a number of stunning musk parrots as well as unique species of fantails and honeyeaters Taveuni in the Northern Islands has a diverse bird life including parrots and lorikeets. Endangered silktails can be found in the south eastern region of neighbouring Vanua Levu. There are several small islands that have been declared as Nature Reserves for birds, particularly nesting boobies. These include the 45-hectare Namenalala Island off Vanua Levu in the Northern Islands, Mabualau near Toberua Island in Lomaiviti, Bird Island off Vatulele in the Southern Islands and Hatana Island off Rotuma. Qamea, a large volcanic island off Taveuni in the Northern Islands is another good spot for exploring and bird watching.Accommodation for Eco TouristsLand AnimalsFiji has few natural animals - the tiny gecko and large land crabs are all most travellers along with the imported mongoose and giant toad. However, there are several notable species including the unique banded iguana indigenous only on Yaduataba Island off Vanua Levu The iguanas change colour to regulate its internal heat and are closely related to iguanas found in South America. There are also several species of tree frogs found in the rainforests of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Ovalau and Taveuni. The harmless but massive Boa snake is another rare sight in the rainforest.
banded iguana
sea turtle sanctuaryMarine LifeSea turtles nest along many beaches in the Fiji Islands a few resorts have developed conservation programmes to help increase turtle population and dissuade local villagers from killing them for their meat. The warm South Pacific Ocean also provide a home to dolphins, reef sharks, rays. There is an extraordinary variety of soft corals which are rich in marine life including an abundance of exotic fish, anemone and sea snakes. Fiji's premier marine park is within the Great Astrolabe Reef off Kadavu.Wildlife ParksKula Wildlife Park, outside Sigatoka on the Coral Coast has a collection of Fiji's natural wildlife and is a conservation park for Fiji's endangered species.Kula - email: mitman@is.com.fjOrchid Island outside of Suva, Viti Levu has a small collection of Fiji's wildlife including the banded iguana, parrots, snakes and sea turtles.
mangroves
flowersBotanical GardensThe Garden of the Sleeping Giant sits at the foothills of the Nausori Highlands about 10 minutes drive north of Nadi. The attractive landscaped gardens specialise in Fiji's native plants as well as housing an impressive collection of orchids, some native. A jungle walk takes visitors past a large lily pond and through native forest.Thurston Gardens in Suva is a public botanical park next to the Fiji Museum. Although there are few flowers in the park, the indigenous shrubs and trees are all labelled and give a calming atmosphere in the centre of this busy City.South Sea Orchids, the Burness family home just outside Nadi, also has a collection of orchids and other tropical flowers. The family welcome visitors to their charming home and will happily show you their collection of traditional and colonial artefacts.A unique feature in Fiji is the rare Tagimaucia flower which is found in the high rainforests of Taveuni and Vanua Levu in the Northern Islands. The most prolific flowering is around scenic Lake Tagimaucia between October and December. The trail is quite arduous, especially on a hot and humid day.
tagimaucia flower
sea birdsBird lifeThere are over 100 species of birds in Fiji. The main island of Viti Levu has many species of birds, especially around the rainforests along the coral coast and Pacific Harbour. Kadavu, a large rainforested island in the Southern Islands, has a number of stunning musk parrots as well as unique species of fantails and honeyeaters Taveuni in the Northern Islands has a diverse bird life including parrots and lorikeets. Endangered silktails can be found in the south eastern region of neighbouring Vanua Levu. There are several small islands that have been declared as Nature Reserves for birds, particularly nesting boobies. These include the 45-hectare Namenalala Island off Vanua Levu in the Northern Islands, Mabualau near Toberua Island in Lomaiviti, Bird Island off Vatulele in the Southern Islands and Hatana Island off Rotuma. Qamea, a large volcanic island off Taveuni in the Northern Islands is another good spot for exploring and bird watching.Accommodation for Eco TouristsLand AnimalsFiji has few natural animals - the tiny gecko and large land crabs are all most travellers along with the imported mongoose and giant toad. However, there are several notable species including the unique banded iguana indigenous only on Yaduataba Island off Vanua Levu The iguanas change colour to regulate its internal heat and are closely related to iguanas found in South America. There are also several species of tree frogs found in the rainforests of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Ovalau and Taveuni. The harmless but massive Boa snake is another rare sight in the rainforest.
banded iguana
sea turtle sanctuaryMarine LifeSea turtles nest along many beaches in the Fiji Islands a few resorts have developed conservation programmes to help increase turtle population and dissuade local villagers from killing them for their meat. The warm South Pacific Ocean also provide a home to dolphins, reef sharks, rays. There is an extraordinary variety of soft corals which are rich in marine life including an abundance of exotic fish, anemone and sea snakes. Fiji's premier marine park is within the Great Astrolabe Reef off Kadavu.Wildlife ParksKula Wildlife Park, outside Sigatoka on the Coral Coast has a collection of Fiji's natural wildlife and is a conservation park for Fiji's endangered species.Kula - email: mitman@is.com.fjOrchid Island outside of Suva, Viti Levu has a small collection of Fiji's wildlife including the banded iguana, parrots, snakes and sea turtles.
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