Eastern 3. Inter-island ferries provide services between Fiji's principal islands and large vessels operate roll-on-roll-off services, transporting vehicles and large amounts of cargo between the main island of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, and other smaller islands. Fiji's flag was adopted on the 10th of October 1970. There are about 80,000 registered players from a total population of around 900,000. Fiji is definitely in line for the most stunning place on Earth as well. In the past, the country only had few basketball courts, which severely limited Fijians who desired to practice the sport more frequently. The concept of family and community is of great importance to Fijian culture. Members of the team are selected from a domestic Fijian competition, as well as from competitions held in New Zealand and Australia. 4.5% Others (European, part European, other. Viti Levu hosts the capital city of Suva, and is home to nearly three-quarters of the population. Other important towns include Nadi and Lautoka. The Iguana Is Fiji’s National Animal. google_ad_client = "pub-4643150179421087"; Script error: The function "coordinsert" does not exist. In addition, a significant number of former military personnel have served in the lucrative security sector in Iraq following the 2003 US-led invasion. The population density at the time was 45.8 inhabitants per square kilometre. The islands are mountainous, with peaks up to 1,324 metres (4,341 ft), and covered with thick tropical forests. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Dutch and the British explored Fiji. Kinship is determined through a child's lineage to a particular spiritual leader, so that a clan is based on traditional customary ties as opposed to actual biological links. Endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, Fiji is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Lower interest rates have so far not produced greater investment in exports. The Fiji Islands developed many dialects, which may be classified in two major branches — eastern and western. Descendants of these Indian labourers are called Indo-Fijians and currently make up around 40% of the population. However, the military, especially the nation's top military commander, Frank Bainimarama, strongly opposed this bill. The Tanoa drinking bowl, used for serving kava, Fiji’s national drink, is the most common woodcarved item available for purchase. Pottery art from Fijian towns shows that Fiji was settled before or around 3500 to 1000 BC, although the question of Pacific migration still lingers. In general, Fiji is a mid-range priced holiday/vacation destination with most of the accommodations in this range. For the 2000, 2008 and 2013 World Cups, the Bati were captained by Lote Tuqiri, Wes Naiqama and the legendary Petero Civoniceva respectively. Fiji covers a total area of some 194,000 square kilometres (75,000 sq mi) of which around 10% is land. A nation of many islands. A major attraction on the outer islands is scuba diving. In late November and early December 2006, Bainimarama was instrumental in the 2006 Fijian coup d'état. There are approximately 250,000 tourists visiting the islands each year. Rotuma, some 270 nautical miles (500 km; 310 mi) north of the archipelago, has a special administrative status in Fiji. Other important towns include Nadi (the location of the international airport), and Lautoka, Fiji's second city with large sugar cane mills and a seaport. Other things I discovered after I arrived. Fiji has several popular tourism destinations. Only 110 of them are inhabited and all of them are beautiful combinations of volcanic mountain ranges, rainforests, and gorgeous sandy beaches. … Fast Facts Fiji consists of 333 islands, about 110 of which are inhabited. Fiji is in the tropics about 500 miles (800 kilometers) southwest of Samoa and 1,100 miles (1,800 kilometers) north of New Zealand. Rainfall is variable, with the warm season experiencing heavier rainfall, especially inland. The level of political tension varies among different regions of the country. The biggest sources of international visitors by country are Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Since becoming independent, Fiji has experienced times of democracy and military dictatorship. The national rugby union team has competed at five Rugby World Cup competitions, the first being in 1987, where they reached the quarter-finals. Fiji is made up of 333 islands, with 223 of them being uninhabited. Located in the South Pacific, Fiji is an archipelago nation approximately 1,300 miles north of New Zealand. The population in 1942 was approximately 210,000 of whom 94,000 were Indians, 102,000 native Fijians, 2,000 Chinese and 5,000 Europeans. Fiji has a significant number of soft coral reefs, and scuba diving is a common tourist activity. Fresh fruit is one of the best Fiji food for kids to eat on your holidays. Fiji is a kids’ own adventure story writ large. In the 1880s large-scale cultivation of sugarcane began. Here are a few facts about Fiji that you may not know… Fiji is an island nation with over 300 islands and approximately 110 of these are inhabited. Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) is responsible for the operation of 15 public airports in the Fiji Islands. There are two other official languages English and Fijian Hindi or Hindustani (a mix of Hindi and Urdu). Check out our ACCOMODATION options, there’s something for every budget from our air-conditioned dormitory to our beachfront villas. Its closest neighbours are Vanuatu to the west, New Caledonia to the southwest, New Zealand's Kermadec Islands to the southeast, Tonga to the east, the Samoas and France's Wallis and Futuna to the northeast, and Tuvalu to the north. The descent is patrilineal, and all the status is derived from the father's side. On 20 February 2016, Fiji was hit by the full force of Cyclone Winston, the only Category 5 tropical cyclone to make landfall in the nation. Native Fijians of Melanesian and Polynesian ancestry make up 54% of the population. The two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for 87% of the population of almost 883,000. It’s not! Across 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) from east to west, Fiji has been a nation of many languages. The southwestern Pacific island nation of Fiji was a crown colony of Great Britain for 96 years until it won independence in 1970. The Fiji Bati rugby league team also gather in a huddle and perform the hymn 'Noqu Masu' before each match. About 1.2% are Rotuman—natives of Rotuma Island, whose culture has more in common with countries such as Tonga or Samoa than with the rest of Fiji. Fiji was a British colony for around 100 years when in 1970 it became an independent country. The 180° meridian runs through Taveuni but the International Date Line is bent to give uniform time (UTC+12) to all of the Fiji group. Published October 4, 2017. Fiji gained independence from the British Empire in 1970 after 96 years as a British colony. Indo-Fijians suffered reprisals for a period after the Fiji coup of 2000. He has ruled Fiji without free elections since. These include two international airports: Nadi international Airport, Fiji’s main international gateway, and Nausori Airport, Fiji’s domestic hub, and 13 outer island airports. If, for example, war had been declared, Fijians would be sharpening their knives (and forks) in preparation of meeting their enemies. The 'Cibi' had perhaps been used incorrectly though, as the word actually means "a celebration of victory by warriors," whereas 'Bole' is the acceptance of a challenge. He gave Qarase an ultimatum date of 4 December to accede to these demands or to resign from his post. google_ad_slot = "5655995158"; Fiji is a small country in the Pacific Ocean.It has 322 islands.The most important islands are Vanua Levu and Viti Levu.The capital city of Fiji is Suva, and the city with the most people is Nadi.There are about 844,330 people in Fiji. Fiji experienced a period of rapid growth in the 1960s and 1970s but stagnated in the 1980s. On the right hand side is the national coat of arms. google_ad_height = 90; Fiji was a British colony up until 1970; British occupation lasted almost a century. The main airport in the second largest island of Vanua Levu is Labasa Airport located at Waiqele, southwest of Labasa Town. Based on a submerged platform of ancient formation, the Fiji islands are largely the product of volcanic action, sedimentary deposit, and formations of coral. It is now the second most-popular sport in Fiji, after rugby for men and after netball for women. Fiji Fun Facts and Trivia Until the mid-19th century, the practice of eating one’s enemy was an accepted and honored tradition in Fiji. The Nadi International Airport is located 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north of central Nadi and is the largest Fijian hub. These clans, based on the spiritual leader, are known as a matangali. By James Israelsen, Associate Writer. Tradition holds that the original Cibi was first performed on the rugby field back in 1939 during a tour of New Zealand, when then Fijian captain Ratu Sir George Cakobau felt that his team should have something to match the Haka of the All Blacks. In addition, a significant number of players eligible to play for Fiji end up representing Australia or New Zealand; notable examples are Fiji-born cousins and former New Zealand All Blacks, Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu, current All Blacks Waisake Naholo and Seta Tamanivalu as well as Australian Wallabies former winger, Lote Tuqiri and current Wallabies Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi and Henry Speight. 10 Interesting Facts About Fiji 1) Fiji is composed of more than 300 islands. Was The … , Science Kids ©  |  Home  |  About  |  Topics  |  Experiments  |  Games  |  Facts  |  Quizzes  |  Projects  |  Lessons  |  Images  |  Videos  |  Privacy  |  Sitemap  |  Updated: Apr 11, 2020. The coup of 1987 caused further contraction. The sport is governed by the Fiji Rugby Union which is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, and contributes to the Pacific Islanders rugby union team. The warm season is from November to April and the cooler season lasts from May to October. The national football team defeated New Zealand 2–0 in the 2008 OFC Nations Cup, on their way to a joint-record third-place finish. One of the problems for Fiji is simply getting their players to play for their home country, as many have contracts in Europe with the French Top 14 and the English Aviva Premiership or with Super Rugby teams, where monetary compensation is far more rewarding. The main towns on Vanua Levu are Labasa and Savusavu. The archipelago is located between 176° 53′ east and 178° 12′ west. That pottery is generally associated with peoples who had well-developed skills in navigation and canoe building and were horticulturists. Cricket is a minor sport in Fiji. google_ad_slot = "9761313702"; Fiji's culture is a rich mosaic of indigenous Fijian, Indo-Fijian, Asian and European traditions, comprising social polity, language, food (coming mainly from the sea, plus casava, dalo (taro) and other vegetables), costume, belief systems, architecture, arts, craft, music, dance, and sports. This page was last modified on 23 December 2020, at 02:10. Western These divisions are divided into 14 provinces: The team won gold medals at the 2007 and 2015 Pacific Games. Fiji Kids already supports the neediest in the community, but poverty just got a whole lot worse. Fiji is a small country in the Pacific Ocean. The official languages of Fiji are Fijian, English and Hindustani (a mix of Hindi and Urdu).Fiji is part of the Pacific Rim. Sugarcane is a delicious fruit. Fiji has also won the Rugby World Cup Sevens twice — in 1997 and 2005. google_ad_height = 600; Because of the success of Fiji's national basketball teams, the popularity of basketball has experienced rapid growth in recent years. Fiji shares marine boundaries with Vanuatu to the west, New Caledonia (France) to the southwest, Kermadec (New Zealand) to the southeast, Tonga to the east, American Samoa, Samoa and Wallis and Futuna (France) to the northeast and Tuvalu to the north. Fiji's main attractions to tourists are primarily white sandy beaches and aesthetically pleasing islands with all-year-round tropical weather. Rotumais located 220 nautical miles (410 km; 250 mi… Want more incredible content from Getty Images? This began the 2009 Fijian constitutional crisis. The highest point is Mount Tomanivi on Viti Levu. Trade between Fiji and neighbouring archipelagos long before European contact is testified by the canoes made from native Fijian trees found in Tonga and Tongan words being part of the language of the Lau group of islands. And the Fijians – who famously adore children – have smiles and hugs for every little visitor. Racial … Peel the tough outer layer and chew on the woody insides to squeeze out the sweet juice. 1. He then reappointed Bainimarama as prime minister under his "New Order" and imposed a "Public Emergency Regulation" limiting internal travel and allowing press censorship. Fiji's national sport is Rugby sevens. Fiji won the Pacific Games football tournament in 1991 and 2003. 2. [8] If you are staying on the main island then head to one of the local fruit markets to sample the tasty fruits of Fiji. Since the 1930s the population of Fiji has increased at a rate of 1.1% per year. President Iloilo abrogated the constitution, removed all office holders under the constitution including all judges and the governor of the Central Bank. The last act of … Now that you know some new fun facts about Fiji, you’re going to want to visit for sure. Viti Levu has an area of about 4,000 square miles (10,000 square km) and accounts for more than half of Fiji’s land area. Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau was a Fijian chief and warlord from the island of Bau, off the eastern coast of Viti Levu, who united part of Fiji's warring tribes under his leadership. Relationships between ethnic Fijians and Indo-Fijians in the political arena have often been strained, and the tension between the two communities has dominated politics in the islands for the past generation. When Fiji’s first settlers arrived from the islands of Melanesia at least 3,500 years ago, they carried with them a wide range of food plants, the pig, and a style of pottery known as Lapita ware. Natural resources include timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil, and hydropower. Check out our ACCOMODATION options, there’s something for every budget from our air-conditioned dormitory to our beachfront villas. The 180° meridian runs through Taveuni but the International Date Line is bent to give uniform time (UTC+12) to all of the Fiji group. Peel the tough outer layer and chew on the woody insides to squeeze out the sweet juice. The capital, Suva, is located on Viti Levu Island. Fiji covers a total area of some 194,000 square kilometres (75,000 sq mi) of which around 10% is land. Bainimarama handed down a list of demands to Qarase after a bill was put forward to parliament, part of which would have offered pardons to participants in the 2000 coup attempt. Fiji is the hub of the South West Pacific, midway between Vanuatu and Tonga. Association football was traditionally a minor sport in Fiji, popular largely amongst the Indo-Fijian community, but with international funding from FIFA and sound local management over the past decade, the sport has grown in popularity in the wider Fijian community. It also has a variety of world class five-star resorts and hotels. Modern Fijian cuisine is diverse with great influences from Indian cuisine and spices along with traditional local tropical fruits, vegetables, fish and wild pork. Facts about tourism in Fiji. Cricket Fiji is an associate member of the International Cricket Council ("ICC"). 1. Fiji consists of 332 islands (of which 106 are inhabited) and 522 smaller islets. Fun Fiji Facts! Netball is the most popular women's participation sport in Fiji. Fiji. The currency of Fiji is the Fijian dollar. The Fijian archipelago is a paradise for bird lovers, who can spend endless hours discovering the 100 plus species of birds that can be found on the islands. Only 110 of them are inhabited and all of them are beautiful combinations of volcanic mountain ranges, rainforests, and gorgeous sandy beaches. Why is this article needed? Be sure to check out their page here: https://www.gettyimages.com/ What do you know about Fiji? Fiji has 30 species of reptiles, 12 of which are endemic, such as the crested iguana. … Fiji is an island country in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean. Fiji gained independence from the British Empire in 1970 after 96 years as a British colony. The two coups and the accompanying civil unrest contributed to heavy Indo-Fijian emigration; the resulting population loss resulted in economic difficulties and ensured that Melanesians became the majority. Fiji - Fiji - Land: Fiji has a complex geologic history. Fiji consists of 330 islands spread over a 1.3 million square kilometer area. Facts about tourism in Fiji. Haf’liua– Rotuma. Rotuma is located 220 nautical miles (410 km; 250 mi) north of the group, 360 nautical miles (670 km; 410 mi) from Suva, 12° 30′ south of the equator. Fiji is an archipelago and country located in the South Pacific Ocean. With the exception of Rotuma, the Fiji group lies between 15° 42′ and 20° 02′ south. But who doesn’t like a good fact? Official statistics show that in 2012, 75% of visitors stated that they came for a holiday/vacation. Sugarcane is a delicious fruit. About 100 islands that are part of Fiji are inhabited. Qarase adamantly refused either to concede or resign, and on 5 December the president, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, was said to have signed a legal order dissolving the parliament after meeting with Bainimarama. The 1997 Constitution established Fijian as an official language of Fiji, along with English and Fiji Hindi. Fiji or Republic of Fiji is actually an island nation with about 332 (though some sources have said 333) islands and 110 are inhabited. Winston destroyed tens of thousands of homes across the island, killing 44 people and causing an estimated FJ$2 billion ($1 billion USD) in damage. For the larger islands, rainfall is heavier on the southeast portions of the islands than on the northwest portions, with consequences for agriculture in those areas. It consists of more than 300 islands and 540 islets that occupy an area of 1,000,000 square miles. The capital city of Fiji is Suva, and the city with the most people is Nadi. There are also small but economically significant groups of Europeans, Chinese, and other Pacific island minorities. Around 110 of these islands are inhabited, although 87% of the population lives on the two biggest islands Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. In 2016, they won Fiji's first ever Olympic medal in the Rugby sevens at the Summer Olympics, winning gold by defeating Great Britain 43–7 in the final. //-->. The team also competes in the Pacific Cup. 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