Fiji facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Republic of Fiji
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Motto: "Rerevaka na Kalou ka Doka na Tui" (Fijian)
"Fear God and honour the King" |
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Anthem: "God Bless Fiji"
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_(Polynesia_centered).svg) |
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| Capital and largest city
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Suva 18°10′S 178°27′E / 18.167°S 178.450°E |
| Official languages | |
| Recognised regional languages | Rotuman |
| Ethnic groups
(2016)
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| Religion |
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| Demonym(s) | Fijian |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary republic |
| Naiqama Lalabalavu | |
| Sitiveni Rabuka | |
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• Chief Justice
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Salesi Temo (acting) |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| Independence
from the United Kingdom
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• Independence
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10 October 1970 |
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• Republic
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6 October 1987 |
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• Current constitution
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6 September 2013 |
| Area | |
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• Total
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18,274 km2 (7,056 sq mi) (151st) |
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• Water (%)
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negligible |
| Population | |
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• 2018 estimate
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926,276 (161st) |
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• 2017 census
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884,887 |
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• Density
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46.4/km2 (120.2/sq mi) (148th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
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• Total
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 $15.152 billion (158th) |
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• Per capita
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$16,563 (102nd) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
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• Total
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$5.511 billion (164th) |
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• Per capita
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$6,024 (106th) |
| Gini (2019) | ▼ 30.7 medium |
| HDI (2022) | 0.729 high · 104th |
| Currency | Fijian dollar (FJD) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (FJT) |
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +679 |
| ISO 3166 code | FJ |
| Internet TLD | .fj |
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Website
fiji.gov.fj |
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Fiji is a beautiful island nation in the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of 332 islands, but only about 106 of them are lived on. The two most important islands are Vanua Levu and Viti Levu. Fiji's capital city is Suva, located on Viti Levu. The city with the most people is Nadi, which is also home to the main international airport. Around 926,000 people live in Fiji.
Fiji has three official languages: Fijian, English, and Fiji Hindi. The country is known for its stunning natural beauty, including thick tropical forests, rich minerals, and plenty of fish. Fiji was a British colony for nearly a century before gaining its independence in 1970.
Contents
Discovering Fiji's Past
Early Settlements and Explorers
Evidence from old pottery shows that people settled in Fiji a very long time ago, possibly between 3500 and 1000 BC. It is thought that the Lapita people, who were ancestors of the Polynesians, were the first to live on the islands. They later moved on to places like Samoa and Tonga.
Fijian culture shares some similarities with Melanesian cultures in the western Pacific. However, it also has strong links to older Polynesian cultures. People traded between Fiji and nearby islands long before Europeans arrived. For example, canoes made from Fijian trees have been found in Tonga. Also, pots made in Fiji have been discovered as far away as Samoa.
The first European to visit Fiji was the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1643. He was looking for a large southern continent. Europeans started settling permanently in Fiji in the 1800s. These early settlers included sailors, missionaries, and traders looking for valuable goods like sandalwood and sea cucumbers.
British Rule and Independence
A powerful Fijian chief named Seru Epenisa Cakobau managed to unite some of Fiji's warring tribes. He called himself the King of Fiji. However, the British took control of the islands in 1874, making Fiji a colony.
The British brought many workers from India to work on sugar farms. This was because the first British governor, Arthur Charles Hamilton-Gordon, did not want to use local Fijian labor or interfere with their way of life. Sadly, a measles outbreak in 1875–76 killed over 40,000 Fijians, which was about one-third of the population.
Fiji gained its independence from Britain in 1970. After independence, there were some challenges. In 1987, there were two military takeovers. This happened because some people felt that the government was too much controlled by the Indo-Fijians, who are people of Indian descent. After these events, Fiji became a republic. Many Indo-Fijians left the country, which caused some economic problems.
In 2000, there was another takeover, which removed the government led by Mahendra Chaudhry. He was the first Prime Minister of Indo-Fijian background. Later, in 2006, there was another military takeover. The military leader, Frank Bainimarama, took control.
In 2009, Fiji's highest court said that the 2006 takeover was against the law. This led to a period of political change. Fiji has a relatively large military for its size. It has helped with UN peacekeeping missions around the world.
Exploring Fiji's Geography
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Fiji is located in the South West Pacific, between Vanuatu and Tonga. The country covers a total area of about 194,000 square kilometers. Only about 10% of this area is land.
The two largest islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. These two islands make up about three-quarters of Fiji's total land area. The islands are mountainous, with the highest point being Mount Tomanivi on Viti Levu. Many of the islands are covered with thick tropical forests.
Viti Levu is home to the capital city, Suva, and most of Fiji's population. Other important towns on Viti Levu include Nadi, where the international airport is, and Lautoka, which has large sugar cane mills. The main towns on Vanua Levu are Labasa and Savusavu.
Other popular islands and groups include Taveuni and Kadavu, which are the third and fourth largest islands. The Mamanuca Group and Yasawa Group are very popular places for tourists to visit.
Fiji's Climate and Weather
Fiji has a tropical marine climate, which means it is warm all year round. There are two main seasons: a warm, rainy season from November to April, and a cooler, drier season from May to October. Even in the cool season, temperatures average around 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit).
The southeast parts of the larger islands usually get more rain than the northwest parts. Winds are generally moderate. However, Fiji can experience strong tropical cyclones about once a year. In February 2016, Cyclone Winston, a very powerful storm, hit Fiji. It destroyed many homes and caused a lot of damage.
Fiji's Economy and Tourism
Fiji is one of the most developed countries in the Pacific islands. It has good natural resources like forests, minerals, and fish. Some of its natural resources include timber, gold, copper, and hydropower. A large part of Fiji's economy still involves people growing food for themselves, which is called a subsistence sector.
Fiji's economy grew quickly in the 1960s and 1970s. However, it slowed down in the 1980s. The political changes in 1987 also affected the economy.
Tourism in Fiji
Tourism is a very important part of Fiji's economy. Many visitors come from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Popular tourist areas include Nadi, the Coral Coast, Denarau Island, and the Mamanuca Islands.
Fiji is famous for its beautiful white sandy beaches and stunning islands. It has many soft coral reefs, making scuba diving a very popular activity. Fiji offers a range of places to stay, from mid-range hotels to luxurious five-star resorts. More budget-friendly resorts are also opening in remote areas.
Many people visit Fiji for holidays, honeymoons, and romantic getaways. There are also many family-friendly resorts with activities and childcare options for young children. Some popular attractions on the main island of Viti Levu include the Botanical Gardens of Thursten in Suva, the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, and Colo-I-Suva Forest Park.
Getting Around Fiji
The main international airport in Fiji is Nadi International Airport. It is located about 9 kilometers north of Nadi. Nausori International Airport, near Suva, mainly handles flights within Fiji. Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) manages 15 public airports across the islands.
Fiji's main airline is Fiji Airways, which used to be called Air Pacific. On the larger islands, there are many bus routes that are affordable and reliable. Ferries also connect Fiji's main islands, carrying both people and vehicles.
People and Culture of Fiji
Population and Ethnic Groups
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In 2007, Fiji's population was about 837,000 people. The average age of people in Fiji was 27.9 years. Most of Fiji's population is made up of native Fijians, who are Melanesians (54.3%). Many of them also have Polynesian ancestors.
Another large group is the Indo-Fijians (38.1%). These are descendants of Indian workers who were brought to the islands by the British in the 1800s. The number of Indo-Fijians has decreased over the years as some have moved away. There are also smaller groups of Rotumans, Europeans, Chinese, and other Pacific islanders.
The relationship between ethnic Fijians and Indo-Fijians has sometimes been difficult in politics. However, the level of tension can vary across different parts of the country.
Family Life and Language
Family and community are very important in Fijian culture. In indigenous Fijian communities, many members of the extended family take on special roles. Clans, called matangali, are based on traditional ties rather than just blood relatives. Within these clans are smaller groups called mbito.
Fijian is an Austronesian language. About 350,000 people speak Fijian as their first language, and another 200,000 speak it as a second language. The 1997 Constitution made Fijian an official language, along with English and Fiji Hindi.
Fiji has many different dialects. In the 1840s, missionaries chose the dialect spoken on Bau Island to be the standard written Fijian language. Bau Island was home to Seru Epenisa Cakobau, who became the self-proclaimed King of Fiji.
| English | Hello/hi | Good morning | Goodbye |
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| Fijian | bula | yadra (Pronounced Yandra) | moce (Pronounced Mothe) |
| Fiji Hindi | नमस्ते (namaste) | सुप्रभात (suprabhat) | अलविदा (alavidā) |
Fiji's culture is a mix of indigenous Fijian, Indo-Fijian, Asian, and European traditions. This includes their social customs, language, food, clothing, beliefs, art, music, and sports. While traditional Fijian culture is still very strong, it has also been influenced by Indian, Chinese, and European traditions over time. This mix has created a unique multicultural identity for Fiji.
Sports in Fiji
Sports are very popular in Fiji, especially contact sports. Fiji's national sport is Rugby sevens.
Cricket is a smaller sport in Fiji. Netball is the most popular sport for women. The national team has done well in international competitions, reaching 6th place in the Netball World Cup in 1999. They also won gold medals at the Pacific Games in 2007 and 2015.
Basketball has also become more popular recently. With help from the Australian government, many schools have built new basketball courts.
Rugby Union
Rugby Union is the most popular team sport in Fiji. The Fiji national sevens team is very successful. They have won the Hong Kong Sevens a record eighteen times. They also won the Rugby World Cup Sevens twice, in 1997 and 2005. In 2016, they won Fiji's first-ever Olympic medal, taking gold in Rugby sevens at the Summer Olympics by beating Great Britain.
The Fiji national rugby union team has played in five Rugby World Cup competitions. In 1987 and 2007, they reached the quarter-finals. Fiji is one of the few countries where rugby union is the main sport. There are about 80,000 registered players in Fiji. Many Fijian players also play for professional teams in Europe or Australia and New Zealand.
Rugby League
The Fiji national rugby league team, known as the Bati, has been playing internationally since 1992. They have reached the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup three times. The team includes players from Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia.
Before each match, the Fiji rugby team traditionally performs a war dance called the Cibi. In 2012, they changed it to a new war cry called the "Bole." The word 'Cibi' means "a celebration of victory," while 'Bole' means "accepting a challenge."
Association Football
Association football (soccer) used to be a smaller sport in Fiji, mostly popular among the Indo-Fijian community. However, with support from FIFA, the sport has grown. It is now the second most popular sport for men, after rugby, and for women, after netball.
The Fiji national football team is part of the Oceania Football Confederation. They have never reached a FIFA World Cup. However, Fiji won the Pacific Games football tournament in 1991 and 2003. Fiji also qualified for the men's football tournament at the 2016 Summer Olympics for the first time in history.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Map showing the migration of the Austronesian peoples from about 3000 BC.
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Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, a powerful Fijian chief.
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A Kai Colo warrior.
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Three Kai Colo men in traditional Fijian clothing.
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A map showing the region of Melanesia.
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Governor Arthur Hamilton Gordon.
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A view of the overwater bungalows at Marriott Momi Bay in Western Fiji.
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See also
In Spanish: Fiyi para niños
