Fiji State Overview

November 9, 2021 findjobdescriptions

Geography

According to topschoolsintheusa, Fiji has an area of 18,270 km², which in terms of extension is similar to that of Slovenia or Kuwait. It is an archipelago of predominantly volcanic origin in the South Pacific, located about 4,450 km southwest of Honolulu and 1,770 km north of New Zealand.

Its territory consists of 322 islands, of which about a third is inhabited. In addition, there are 522 other smaller islands. [18] Viti Levu and Vanua Levu are by far the largest in economic, demographic and area terms. In Viti Levu are the capital Suva, Lautoka and Nadi (home to the main international airport of Fiji). The main cities of Vanua Levu are Labasa and Savusavu. Both islands are mountainous, with peaks over 1,200 meters above sea level, and are covered by tropical forest. Viti Levu concentrates approximately two thirds of the country’s population, and combined with Vanua Levu they represent more than 80% of the national population.

Other important islands in Fiji are Taveuni, Kadavu (the third and fourth in terms of area) and Rotuma, 500 km north of the archipelago.

It is bordered to the west by New Caledonia to the southwest, the New Zealand island of Kermadec to the southeast, Tonga to the east, Wallis and Futuna to the northeast, and Tuvalu to the north. The country is made up of an archipelago of more than 300 islands, of which 110 are permanently inhabited, and more than 500 islets, covering a total area of 18,300 km2, which in terms of extension is similar to Slovenia. About 87% of the 850,000 residents live on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, which are the largest islands. Both have regular water courses and peaks that exceed 1,100 meters above sea level. In the first one is Suva, which is the national capital. Other relevant cities or urban centers are Lautoka, Nasinu, Nausori, and Nadi.

Etymology

The main island of Fiji is known as Viti Levu and it is from it that the name Fiji derives, since its common pronunciation in English sounds like that in the neighboring islands of Tongay also comes from the Latin Vitis which means vine.

Economy

Fiji has forest, mineral and fishing resources that make it one of the most developed economies in the Pacific, although a significant part of the population is engaged in subsistence economic activities. The main sources of foreign exchange for the country are sugar exports and the growing tourism industry with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists visiting the country each year. Sugar processing corresponds to a third of industrial activity, but in recent years it has faced several problems. Structural problems in the sector include low investment and unclear property rights over land.

The coups d’etat of 1987 and 2000 severely affected the economy, and the long-term growth of the Fijian economy largely depends on its ability to form a stable administration and reduce social tension. Remittances from migrant workers working in Kuwait and Iraq have significantly increased per capita income.

Transport

Nadi International Airport is located 9 km north of Nadi. It is the largest nationwide. Nausori International Airport is located about 23 km northeast of Suva.

The largest islands have regular bus routes and affordable prices. In rural areas, stops are made informally, that is, by signaling to the driver.

Culture

His dances are mainly dedicated to births, death and war. They use colorful skirts and plants adorning the ankles and heads. Native, traditional dances are still taught in ethnic communities.

Due to its ethnic and religious diversity, the country’s culture is the result of a mosaic between indigenous, Indian and European traditions. The culture of the natives has characteristics between Melanesians and Polynesians, although it underwent changes due to Christianization.

Religion

The majority of native Fijians are Christians, being mainly from the Anglican Communion Christian Church and those attached to the Anglican Communion (Methodists) due to their belonging to the British Empire and later to the Overseas Territories of the United Kingdom since the 19th century and until 1987, when it finally gained independence from the British.

The largest Christian denomination is the Anglican Communion Christian Church and of those attached to the Anglican Communion is the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma. It has the largest population in Fiji than in any other nation (36.2% of Fiji’s population belongs to this church).

The Catholic Church is also significant (8.9%). Other religions no longer so majority are the Hindu due to the very close colonies of France (and later the Overseas Territories of France). As for the Indo-Fijians, they are 77% Catholic Christians, 15% Muslims and 6% other Christians. There are also Sikh believers.

74.3% of Hindus belong to the main group of Hinduism, while 22% do not specify which group they belong to. Most Muslims are Sunni (Islam). Other religions that exist but with less population are Sikhism and the Bahai faith.

Languages

The official language is English, but the one most spoken by the natives is Fijian, from the Malay-Polynesian family; For the residents of Indian origin, it is Fijian Hindi, a local variety of Hindustani.