Fiji

Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an archipelagic country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It is made up of more than 330 islands and over 500 smaller islets, covering about 18,300 square kilometres. Most people live on the two biggest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, with many living in the capital city, Suva, or in towns like Nadi and Lautoka.

People have lived in Fiji since very ancient times. Europeans arrived in the 17th century, and later Fiji became a British colony. After gaining independence in 1970, Fiji experienced some political changes, including a few changes in government leadership. In 2014, Fiji held a democratic election which was considered fair by international observers.

Today, Fiji has a strong economy for the Pacific region. Its main sources of money come from tourism, money sent home by Fijians working abroad, exports of bottled water, and the sugar-cane industry. The country is rich in forests, minerals, and fish, helping support its people and economy.

Etymology

The name "Fiji" comes from the main island's name, Viti Levu. People from Fiji met explorers from Tonga and Captain Cook. The Tongans called their home "Fisi," and this name was used by Captain Cook when he wrote about the islands. Over time, this became known as "Fiji." An older spelling, "Feejee," was used by early visitors to the islands until the late 1800s.

History

Early settlement

Fiji was settled by people from Austronesian peoples around 3500 to 1000 BC, with others arriving later. It is believed the Lapita people or ancestors of the Polynesians were the first to settle the islands. Archaeological evidence shows human settlement on Moturiki Island as far back as 900 BC. Fijian culture has strong links to older Polynesian cultures. Trade between Fiji and nearby islands existed long before Europeans arrived.

In the 10th century, the Tu'i Tonga Empire in Tonga influenced Fiji, bringing Polynesian customs and language. This empire began to decline in the 13th century. Over time, unique Fijian cultural practices developed, including building elegant watercraft called drua and creating distinctive village architecture with communal bure and vale housing. Fijians also developed advanced systems of defense and agriculture, with villages supplied by wooden aqueducts. They lived in societies led by chiefs, elders, and warriors, with spiritual leaders playing important roles. Fijians used a type of cloth called masi for clothing and sails, and developed a system where the teeth of sperm whales were used as currency.

Early interaction with Europeans

The first known European to visit Fiji was Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1643. British navigator James Cook visited in 1774, and in 1789, William Bligh, captain of HMS Bounty, charted the islands. The first Europeans to stay were sandalwood traders, whalers, and sea cucumber traders. By the 1820s, Levuka became the first European-style town in Fiji. Christian missionaries arrived in the 1830s, leading to gradual cultural changes among the Fijians.

Cakobau and the wars against Christian infiltration

In the 1840s, conflicts arose among Fijian clans. A warlord named Seru Epenisa Cakobau became dominant and expelled Europeans from Levuka for five years. In the early 1850s, Cakobau declared war on Christians but was thwarted by support from converted Tongans and a British warship. His influence waned, and he eventually converted to Christianity, leading to the destruction of traditional Fijian temples.

Cotton, confederacies and the Kai Colo

The rising price of cotton after the American Civil War brought many settlers to Fiji in the 1860s. Settlers often obtained land through violent or unfair means, leading to conflicts with the Kai Colo, Fijian clans in the interior of Viti Levu. In 1867, a missionary was killed by the Kai Colo, prompting a military response. Further conflicts occurred, including attacks on settler villages.

Kingdom of Fiji (1871–1874)

After the collapse of a confederacy, George Austin Woods helped establish the Kingdom of Fiji in 1871 with Cakobau as monarch. However, tensions arose between settlers and Fijians, leading to violent conflicts. The government formed an army to subdue the Kai Colo, resulting in battles and the forced relocation of many people.

Blackbirding and slavery in Fiji

The arrival of indentured laborers from the Pacific islands began in 1865 to work on cotton plantations. Many were recruited through deceit. In addition, indigenous Fijians were sometimes sold into slavery after being captured in wars. This practice continued despite warnings from authorities.

British annexation

Facing legitimacy and economic issues, Fiji was annexed by Britain in 1874. The formal cession occurred when Cakobau and other chiefs signed the Deed of Cession. British rule followed, bringing changes to Fijian society and governance.

Measles epidemic of 1875

When British officials brought Cakobau and his sons back from Sydney after the annexation, they brought measles with them. The disease spread widely in Fiji, killing over 40,000 people — about a third of the population.

Sir Arthur Gordon and the Little War

British Governor Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon faced an uprising by the Qalimari and Kai Colo people. In response, he led military campaigns against them. Villages were destroyed, and many people were killed or captured. Gordon also introduced new systems of governance, including appointed chiefs and a Great Council of Chiefs.

Indian indenture system in Fiji

In 1878, Britain began bringing indentured laborers from India to work on sugarcane plantations. Over 60,000 Indians came to Fiji under five-year contracts, with many choosing to stay after their contracts ended.

Tuka rebellions

Some Fijians opposed British rule and sought to return to traditional ways. Movements called Tuka emerged, preaching dissent and a return to pre-colonial culture. The British suppressed these movements, exiling leaders and deporting followers.

World War I and II

Fiji played a minor role in World War I. One notable Fijian joined the French Foreign Legion and received France's highest military honor. In World War II, many Fijians volunteered for the Fiji Infantry Regiment, which fought bravely in the Solomon Islands campaign. One Fijian soldier was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.

Responsible government and independence

In 1965, discussions began for Fiji to gain self-government. After negotiations, Fiji became independent on October 10, 1970, with a new constitution and a bicameral parliament.

Independence

1987 coups d'état

Fiji gained independence in 1970, but democratic rule was interrupted by military coups in 1987. These coups were driven by concerns over the growing influence of the Indo-Fijian community in government. The second coup changed the country's name to the Republic of Fiji. The coups led to many Indo-Fijians leaving the country, causing economic difficulties.

2000 coup d'état

In 2000, a coup led by George Speight overthrew the government of Mahendra Chaudhry, Fiji's first Indo-Fijian Prime Minister. Commodore Frank Bainimarama took control, and later elections restored democracy in 2001.

2006 coup d'état

In 2006, Commodore Frank Bainimarama led another coup, citing corruption and opposition to a bill that would have pardoned participants in the 2000 coup. He took over as interim prime minister and dissolved parliament.

2009 transfer of power

In 2009, the Fiji Court of Appeal ruled Bainimarama's takeover illegal. President Iloilo abrogated the constitution and reappointed Bainimarama as interim prime minister under a "New Order."

Since 2014

Fiji was readmitted to the Commonwealth of Nations in 2014 after elections. The FijiFirst party, led by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, won elections in 2014 and 2018. In 2022, Sitiveni Rabuka became the new prime minister after winning the general election.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Fiji

See also: Flora and fauna of Fiji

Fiji is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is made up of many islands, with over 330 big islands and more than 500 smaller ones. Only about 110 of these islands have people living on them.

The two largest islands are called Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Viti Levu is where the capital city, Suva, is located. The islands are full of forests and mountains, with the highest point being Mount Tomanivi.

Fiji has a warm climate all year, but it can get rainy, especially between November and April. The country faces big challenges from climate change, like rising sea levels and stronger storms, which can affect the lives of people and the environment. Fiji is working to use more clean energy and protect its natural spaces.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Fiji

Fiji has a government where the Prime Minister leads, and the President is the head of state. People in Fiji vote in elections to choose their leaders. In 2014, a big vote happened, and a party called FijiFirst won. They won again in 2018 but lost in 2022, and a new leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, became Prime Minister.

Fiji has its own army and police to keep things safe. The army helps in peacekeeping around the world.

Main article: Local government of Fiji

Fiji is split into four big areas, and each area has smaller parts called provinces. The four areas are Central, Eastern, Northern, and Western, and together they have 14 provinces.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Fiji

Fiji has many natural resources like forests, minerals, and fish. These help make Fiji one of the more developed countries in the Pacific islands, although many people still live by growing their own food. In the 1950s, someone named Marion M. Ganey helped the islands by starting credit unions, which are groups that help people save and borrow money.

Fiji has timber, fish, gold, copper, oil, and hydropower. The country grew quickly in the 1960s and 1970s but slowed down in the 1980s. Some problems happened in 1987 that made the economy shrink even more.

In recent years, Fiji has become known for its beautiful beaches and great weather, which attract many tourists. Tourism and sugar exports are very important for the country’s money. Sugar farming has had some problems, but tourism keeps growing. Fiji also has gold mines, mainly in a place called Vatukoula.

Cities and services like hotels and restaurants have helped Fiji’s economy grow. The main source of money comes from visitors, especially from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Many people visit Fiji for holidays, romantic trips, or family vacations. There are beaches, coral reefs for scuba diving, and beautiful islands to explore. Fiji is also a popular place for movies and TV shows.

Tourism

Fiji is famous for its tourism. Popular places to visit include Nadi, the Coral Coast, Denarau Island, and the Mamanuca Islands. Many tourists enjoy the white sandy beaches, tropical weather, and clear blue water. Scuba diving is very popular because of the beautiful coral reefs. Fiji has both fancy resorts and more budget-friendly options for visitors.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Fiji

Fiji has many airports. The biggest one is Nadi International Airport, which is the main place for international travelers. There is also Nausori Airport, which mostly handles flights within Fiji and a few to nearby places. Other airports serve the smaller islands.

Buses are the main way people get around on the bigger islands. They are affordable and run regularly. In rural areas, you can often stop a bus as it passes by. There are also taxis and ferry services that connect the islands. The biggest ferry services are run by Patterson Brothers Shipping Company, which carries cars and cargo between the main islands.

Science and technology

Fiji is a Pacific Island country that works on science and technology. In 2012, the government spent a small part of its money on research, mostly on farming. However, scientists share more discoveries in areas like earth sciences and health.

Fiji is growing its health research with a new journal started in 2012. The country also wants to use new energy sources like solar and wind power. In 2014, the University of Fiji started a centre for renewable energy, helped by the European Union. This centre trains students in managing renewable energy. In 2020, Fiji also started an office to help with climate change projects.

Society

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Fiji

The 2017 census found that the population of Fiji was 884,887 people. This is a bit more than the 837,271 people counted in the 2007 census. At that time, there were about 45.8 people living in each square kilometre. People in Fiji lived, on average, to be about 72 years old. Since the 1930s, Fiji's population has grown slowly, about 1.1% each year. The country's people were, on average, about 29.9 years old, and for every one girl, there were about 1.03 boys.

Fiji had a score of 10.2 on a measure called the Global Hunger Index in 2024, showing that hunger levels were moderate.

Ethnic groups

Fiji's people are mostly native Fijians (54.3%), who are Melanesians with some Polynesian ancestors, and Indo-Fijians (38.1%), who are descendants of Indian workers brought to the islands by British rulers in the 1800s. The number of people with Indo-Fijian roots has gone down a lot in the past twenty years because many moved away for different reasons. After a big political problem in 2000, Indo-Fijians faced difficult times. The two groups have not always gotten along well, and this has been an important part of Fiji's politics for a long time. This tension changes depending on where you are in the country.

About 1.2% of people are Rotuman — from Rotuma Island, whose culture is more like Tonga or Samoa than the rest of Fiji. There are also smaller groups of Europeans, Chinese, and other Pacific islanders. About 4.5% of people belong to other groups, and 0.3% — or about 3,000 people — are from Australia.

Family and community are very important in Fijian culture. In native groups, extended family members often take on special roles. Family ties are traced through a child's link to a spiritual leader, so clans are based on these ties, not just blood. These clans are called matangali, and inside them are smaller groups called mbito. Family ties are passed down from father to son.

Demonym

Fiji's constitution calls all citizens "Fijians". Older versions of the constitution used the term "Fiji Islanders". In 2008, there was a plan to change the name for all citizens to "Fijians", which would have changed the name for native Fijians from "Fijians" to "itaukei" — the Fijian word for native Fijians. Some people, like former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, disagreed strongly, saying the name "Fijian" should only belong to native Fijians. In a speech in 2009, the leader at the time, Voreqe Bainimarama, said all citizens should feel equal and proud to be called Fijians.

In 2010, the top lawyer Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum again said the term "Fijian" should apply to everyone, but many still disagreed.

Languages

Main article: Languages of Fiji

The 2013 Constitution says all laws must be available in English, Fijian (iTaukei), and Standard Hindi — the language used in schools for people of Indian background. Fijian is part of a language family spoken in the area, and has about 350,000 people who speak it as their first language, with another 200,000 speaking it as a second language. There are different versions of Fijian across the islands. Missionaries chose a version from Bau Island in the 1800s as the standard written form.

Fiji Hindi, also called Fijian Baat or Hindustani, is spoken by most people of Indian background. It comes mostly from Awadhi, a language from India, and includes many words from Fijian and English. Teachers in schools use both conversational Fiji Hindi and standard Hindustani.

English, which came from British rule, is widely used in government, business, and education, serving as a common language for everyone.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Fiji

Religion in Fiji (2007)

1. Christian (69.2%)
2. Hindu (24.0%)
3. Muslim (5.80%)
4. Other or none (1.04%)

According to the 2017 census, about 69.2% of people in Fiji were Christian, 24.0% were Hindu, 5.8% were Muslim, and 1.04% followed other religions or none. Among Christians, most — 54% — were Methodist, with others being Catholic, Assemblies of God, Seventh-day Adventist, and Anglican. The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma has the most followers in Fiji compared to any other country. Catholic Christians in Fiji are part of the Archdiocese of Suva.

Other Christian groups, like the Assemblies of God and Seventh-day Adventists, also have many members. Fiji is also home to the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia. Hindus in Fiji mostly follow the Sanatan tradition, and Muslims are mainly Sunni.

Education

Further information: Education in Fiji and Foundation for the Education of Needy Children in Fiji

Fiji has a high rate of people who can read and write — about 91.6%. While school isn't required by law, over 85% of children aged 6 to 13 go to primary school. Education is free and offered by both government and church schools. Often, Fijian and Hindi children go to separate schools, showing the divided feelings in the country.

Primary education

Children in Fiji can go to primary school for free from ages 6 to 14. Primary school lasts eight years, for children aged 6 to 14. After primary school, students get a certificate and can try to enter secondary school.

Secondary education

Secondary school can last up to five years. Students take an exam to enter. After three years, they can leave with a school-leaving certificate, or stay for two more years to try for higher education. Those who pass the exam after three years can go on to senior secondary school. At the end of this level, they may take an exam covering several subjects. Doing well on this exam lets students go to college.

Tertiary education

The University of the South Pacific is the main place for higher learning. It serves ten territories in the South Pacific and requires students to take a special first-year course no matter their subject. The university gets money from student fees, governments, and aid from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Fiji also has colleges for teachers, medical training, technology, and farming. Primary teachers study for two years, while secondary teachers study for three, and can earn more degrees later.

The Fiji Polytechnic School teaches skills like engineering, hotel work, and business. Some courses lead to exams from the City and Guilds of London Institute. Students can also study through distance learning with the University Extension Service, which has centres across the country. Students in these courses can earn degrees or certificates after finishing their work.

Culture

Main articles: Culture of Fiji, Architecture of Fiji, and Music of Fiji

Fiji has a rich and colorful culture. The traditions of the indigenous Fijian people are strong and important, but over time, other cultures have added to Fiji's unique mix. People from India, China, Europe, Tonga, and Samoa have all brought their own customs, and today Fiji has a special blend of many different traditions.

Sports are very important in Fiji. The country loves games, especially ones where players work together and move a lot. Rugby sevens is Fiji's national sport, and the team is very good at it. Other popular sports include netball, basketball, and cricket. Fiji's rugby teams have won many big tournaments around the world, making the country proud.

Sport

Main article: Sport in Fiji

Rugby union is the most popular team sport in Fiji. The national sevens team has won many international competitions, including the Hong Kong Sevens eighteen times and the Rugby World Cup Sevens twice. In 2016, they won Fiji's first Olympic medal by winning the gold in rugby sevens at the Summer Olympics.

Rugby league is also played in Fiji, with the national team competing in the Rugby League World Cup. Association football, or soccer, has grown in popularity and is now the second most popular sport in Fiji. The national football team has achieved notable successes, including a victory over New Zealand in the OFC Nations Cup and qualifying for the 2016 Summer Olympics men's tournament for the first time.