Go to FIJI

The South Pacific island nation of Fiji is not only an inviting and beautiful vacation destination, but its 333 islands are home to scenic wonders, both natural and man-made, and are the cradle of ancient myths and legends as well as modern political sagas.

Here are a few of the more memorable facts about Fiji:
- Fiji became an independent republic in 1970, following nearly a century as British colony. Its capital is Suva, on the main island of Viti Levu.
- English is Fiji's official language (although Fijian is also spoken) and the literacy rate among adults is almost 94 percent.
- Fiji's 333 islands (about 110 of them inhabited) are home to approximately 883,000 people, three quarters of whom live on the main island of Viti Levu.
- Fiji receives between 400,000 and 500,000 tourists annually.
- About 57 percent of Fiji's population is native Melanesian or Melanesia/Polynesian mix, while 37 percent is descended from indentured Indians brought to the islands in the late 19th century by the British to work the sugar cane plantations.
- Fiji's democratic rule has been tested several times over the past four decades by military and civilian coups. The first two military coups occurred in 1987 over concerns that the government was being dominated by the Indian community. A civilian coup occurred in May 2000, followed by the democratic election of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, who was re-elected in May 2006. But Quarese was forced out in December 2006 in a military coup led by Commodore Voreqe Baininarama, who subsequently become interim prime minister. However, Bainimarama has refused to hold democratic elections.
- Fiji's total land mass is slightly smaller than the state of New Jersey.
- Fiji is home to over 4,000 square miles of coral reef, including the Great Astrolabe Reef.
- Fiji's waters are home to over 1,500 species of sea life.
- Fiji has 28 airports, but only four of them have paved runways.
- Fiji's highest point is Mt. Tomanivi at 4,344 feet.
- Fiji's main religion is Christian, followed by Hindu and Roman Catholic.
- The largest Hindu temple in Fiji is the colorful Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple, one of the major landmarks in Nadi.
- According to ancient Fijian mythology, Fiji's history began in 1500 BC when giant war canoes arrived from Taganika north of Egypt, carrying Chief Lutunasobasoba and special cargo: treasures from the the Temple of King Soloman in Judah, including special box called the "Kato," meaning case, and "Mana," meaning Magic, which in Fijian translates to "Box of Blessings." When the box toppled into the sea in the Mamnuca islands, Lutunasobasoba gave the command not to retrieve it, but his General Degei returned at a later date and tried. He only succeeded in getting a big diamond that was outside the box and was immediately cursed and transformed into a snake with a diamond on his head for all eternity and is trapped in an ocean cave in Sawa-i-lau in the Yasawas. Fijians believe the box is still buried today in the waters between Likuliku and Mana and has brought great blessings to the area's villages.
- In 1789, after being set adrift from Tahiti by the mutineers on his HMS Bounty, Captain William Bligh and 18 other men were chased by Fijian war canoes through what is now called Bligh Water. They paddled their 22-foot-long open boat hard and escaped, making it to Timor.
- In 1643, Dutchman Abel Tasman, known for his explorations in what are now Australia and New Zealand, sighted Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island, but he did not land.
Source: gohawaii.about.com