Fiji
Posted February 24th, 2008 by Anonymous
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.
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.
Economy
Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the more developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Fiji experienced a period of rapid growth in the 1960s and 1970s but stagnated in the early 1980s. The coups of 1987 caused further contraction. Economic liberalisation in the years following the coup created a boom in the garment industry and a steady growth rate despite growing uncertainty of land tenure in the sugar industry. The expiration of leases for sugar cane farmers (along with reduced farm and factory efficiency) has led to a decline in sugar production despite a subsidised price. Subsidies for sugar have been provided by the EU and Fiji has been the second largest beneficiary after Mauritius.
Urbanization and expansion in the service sector have contributed to recent GDP growth. Sugar exports and a rapidly growing tourist industry — with 430,800 tourists in 2003 and increasing in the subsequent years — are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji is highly dependent on tourism for revenue. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Long-term problems include low investment and uncertain property rights. The political turmoil in Fiji has had a severe impact on the economy, which shrank by 2.8% in 2000 and grew by only 1% in 2001. The tourism sector recovered quickly, however, with visitor arrivals reaching pre-coup levels again during 2002, which has since resulted in a modest economic recovery. This recovery continued into 2004 but grew by 1.7% in 2005 and is projected to grow by 2.0% in 2006. Although inflation is low, the policy indicator rate of the Reserve Bank of Fiji was raised by 1% to 3.25% in February 2006 due to fears of excessive consumption financed by debt. Lower interest rates have so far not produced greater investment for exports. However, there has been a housing boom from declining commercial mortgage rates.
The tallest building in Fiji is the fourteen-storey Reserve Bank of Fiji Building in Suva, which opened in 1984. The Suva Central Commercial Centre, which opened in November 2005, was planned to outrank the Reserve Bank building at seventeen stories, but last-minute design changes meant the Reserve Bank building remains the tallest.
Demographics
Ethnic groups
The population of Fiji is mostly made up of native Fijians, people of mixed Polynesian (partly Tongan) and Melanesian ancestry (54.3%), and Indo-Fijians (38.1%), descendants of Indian contract labourers brought to the islands by the British in the nineteenth century. The percentage of the population of Indian descent has declined significantly over the last two decades due to migration for various reasons. There is also a small but significant group of descendants of indentured labourers from Solomon Islands.
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. There are also small, but economically significant, groups of Europeans, Chinese and other minorities.
Relationships between ethnic Fijians and Indo-Fijians at a political level have often been strained, and the tension between the two communities has dominated politics in the islands for the past generation. The level of tension varies between different regions of the country. There are also good indications of racial harmony with the recognition of cultural and religious holidays by all races in Fiji.
Religion
Religion is one of the primary differences between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians, with the former overwhelmingly Christian (97.2% at the 1996 census), and the latter mostly Hindu (70.7%) and Muslim (17.9%).
The largest Christian denomination is the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma. With 36.2% of the total population (including almost two-thirds of ethnic Fijians), its share of the population is higher in Fiji than in any other nation. Roman Catholics (8.9%), the Assemblies of God (4%), and Seventh-day Adventists (2.9%) are also significant. Fiji is also the base for the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia (part of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia). These and other denominations also have small numbers of Indo-Fijian members; Christians of all kinds comprise 6.1% of the Indo-Fijian population. Much major Roman Catholic missionary activity was conducted through the Vicariate Apostolic of Fiji.
Hindus belong mostly to the Sanatan sect (74.3% of all Hindus) or else are unspecified (22%). The small Arya Samaj sect claims the membership of some 3.7% of all Hindus in Fiji. Muslims are mostly Sunni (59.7%) and Shia (36.7%), with an Ahmadiya minority (3.6%) regarded as heretical by more orthodox Muslims. The Sikh religion comprises 0.9% of the Indo-Fijian population, or 0.4% of the national population in Fiji. Their ancestors came from the Punjab region of India. The Bahá'í Faith has over 21 Local Spiritual Assemblies throughout Fiji and Baha'is live in more than 80 localities. The first Baha'i on the island was a New Zealander who arrived in 1924.
Sport
The national sport of Fiji is considered to be rugby union (see rugby union in Fiji), however rugby league is also widely played. The national team is very successful given the size of the population of the country, and has competed at four Rugby World Cups, the first being in 1987, where they reached the quarter-finals. The Fiji national side did not match that feat again until the 2007 Rugby World Cup when they upset Wales 38-34 to progress to the quarter-finals. Fiji also competes in the Pacific Tri-Nations and the Pacific Nations Cup. 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. At the club level there are the Colonial Cup and Pacific Rugby Cup. The Fiji sevens team is the most successful rugby 7s team in the world and has won 2 world cup titles and last years IRB Series.
Following is a list of Notable Fijians in Sport:
- Vijay Singh, A professional golfer.
- Waisale Serevi, a world-renowned sevens rugby player, is from Fiji. Commentators refer to him as the Magician, or Maestro also the King of Sevens. No.1 sevens player in the world with William Ryder closely following his footsteps.
- Lote Tuqiri, dual code international for Australia in rugby league and rugby union, and former captain of the Fiji national rugby league team.
- Petero Civoniceva, representative footballer for the Australia national rugby league team.
- Sitiveni Sivivatu and Joe Rokocoko are Fijians who play for New Zealand's All Blacks.
- Rupeni Caucau plays for a French rugby union club.
- David Rodan and Alipate Carlile, professional Australian rules footballers in the Australian Football League.
Culture
Fiji's culture is a rich mosaic of indigenous, Indian, Chinese and European traditions. Culture is made up of many aspects, being social polity, traditions, language, food, costume, belief system, architecture, arts, craft, music, dance and sports.
The indigenous culture is very much an active and living culture, and is a part of everyday life for the Majority of the population. However, it has evolved with the introduction of vibrant and old cultures like the Indian and Chinese cultures, as well as a large influence from European culture, and various cultures from the Pacific neighbor's of Fiji; the Tonga and Rotuma cultures are the most dominant of these. The Culture of Fiji is shown in its traditions and hierarchy, its language and has created a unique communal and national identity.
See also
- List of Fiji-related topics
- List of Fijians
- Communications in Fiji
- Transportation in Fiji
- Military of Fiji
- Foreign relations of Fiji
- Fiji Meteorological Service
Footnotes
- ^ PDF article from Fiji Government on Line, section on Europeans in Fiji
- ^ Pacific Peoples, Melanesia/Micronesia/Polynesia, Central Queensland University
- ^ Abel Janszoon Tasman Biog
Random Fiji tidbits.
Who hasn�t dreamed of traveling to Fiji for a great beach vacation with the sun, surf, and of course the water activities. Fiji is one of the most popular places to take a scuba diving or snorkeling trip. So now that you have decided Fiji is the perfect place for your vacation, where are you going to stay?
AMF Productions has released their latest film and the first for 2008! John Arms needs a vacation, so he ships himself to the lovely beaches of Fiji. But he never gets there....http://youtube.com/watch?v=M4fTFBtnFC0
Depressed looking Brit PM has been chosen as the image to attract people to Fiji.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC)has been handed documents relating to the multi-million dollar Yaqara Studio City project.While FICAC says it has opened a file on the matter based on strong documentary evidence now in their possession, it's not saying what scope investigations will take.
Fiji’s native land administrator, the Native Land Trust Board which does not own any land has a lot of power, University of the South Pacific academic Dr Steven Ratuva says.
Fiji
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 ...
Fiji - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fiji national football team is the national team of Fiji and is controlled by the Fiji Football Association . Their best finish in the OFC Nations Cup was third in 1998
Fiji national football team - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Comprehensive and current travel and tourism information about Fiji.
Fiji Islands Travel Guide | Fiji Visitors Bureau
Natural artesian water from the Fiji Islands distributed worldwide. Company profile, FAQ, kids club and online ordering.
FIJI Natural Artesian Water
Comprehensive facts and advice for traveling along with background material on the culture and history of the country.
If you would like more Fiji information, please try our sitemap.
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