|Republic of Fiji
||Fiji, English, Hindustani
|Form of government
||UTC + 12
|Telephone area code
The Republic of Fiji is located in the southern
Pacific between Vanuatu in the west, Samoa in the
northeast and Tonga in the southeast and is
approximately half the size of Switzerland with a land
area of 18,374 km² (including sea area 104,000 km²).
Around 320 islands belong to the national territory, of
which around 100 are inhabited. Except for the isolated
island of Rotuma in the north, the islands are grouped
in a horseshoe shape around Lake Koro.
The main islands Viti Levu (10 429 km²) and Vanua
Levu (5 556 km²) cover about 85% of the country. They
are located in the west and north of the island state
(Mamanutha and Yasawa groups) and, like most of the
larger Fiji islands (including Taveuni, Kandavu, Gau),
are of volcanic origin. A strongly rugged mountain
landscape and a mostly narrow coastal strip are
characteristic. Fiji's highest peak is on Viti Levu
(Mount Tomanivi 1,323 m), there are almost 30 volcanic
mountains that rise over 900 m. Vanua Levu has a
slightly wider lowland belt in the northwest, which is
used intensively for agriculture.
Most of the smaller islands are flat coral islands.
In the east of the island state is the Lau Group with
numerous small and small islands. The longest river
(Rewa) is located on the main island of Viti Levu and
flows into the sea near the capital Suva in the
southeast of the island.
The Fiji Islands have a tropical-oceanic climate with
high temperatures all year round. The maximum values
are around 30 ˇăC, the lower values around 22 ˇăC. The
majority of annual precipitation falls in the months of
December to April: up to 5,000 mm are measured annually
on the windward sides of the islands (windward), and
between 1,500 and 2,000 mm on the windward (Lee).
Tropical cyclones can also occur during this time.
Flora and fauna
The flora on the Fiji Islands is very diverse. Around
50% of the area of the larger islands is covered with
tropical rainforest, which is mainly on the rainier
sides of the islands. In the drier areas there are
savannas and mangroves on the coasts.
In the animal world of the Fiji Islands, bird life is
most diverse with over 60 species, followed by reptiles.
Since the islands never had direct contact with a
continental land mass, only a few mammals came to the
islands before human settlement. One of the native
mammals is the Fijian monkey face fruit bat, the
existence of which is considered endangered. Today, the
Indian mongoose, which was used to control rats and
snakes and is now wild, is a common mammal. The Ravilevu
Nature Reserve is located on the island of Taveuni.
About 881,000 people live in the Fiji Islands. 57% of
the population are Melanesians, who mainly live in
smaller towns. 38% are descendants of Indian contract
workers who came to the country to work on sugar cane
plantations at the end of the 19th century and today
make up the majority of the urban population. Europeans,
Chinese, Rotumas and others represent minorities. Ethnic
conflicts between Melanesians and Indians have
repeatedly led to unrest.
The average population density on the Fiji Islands is
48 people per square kilometer. According to COUNTRYAAH, 78,000 people
live in the capital Suva on the island of Viti Levu.
Other cities include Lautoka with around 43,500
(agglomeration) and Nadi with around 31,000
(agglomeration) residents. Village communities with up
to 400 residents represent the dominant form of
The official languages in the island nation are
English and Fijian, the Indians speak Hindi. Just over
half of the population are Christians, mostly
Methodists, and about 38% of the population are Hindus.
Muslims have a share of about 8%.
Health care in the Fiji Islands is well developed.
The average life expectancy is 69.5 years. The
population growth is given as 0.6%. Teaching at primary
schools is free, so the literacy rate is just under 94%.
The Republic of Fiji is based on the 2013
constitution. The head of state is the President (Ratu
Epeli Nailatikau since November 2009), who is elected by
Parliament for a three-year term (one-time re-election
possible). The head of the government is the Prime
Minister (Josaia Voreqe Frank Bainimarama, interim
government leader since January 2007, elected in
The legislature lies with the parliament with 50
members. They are elected every four years.
The island state is divided into four districts with
14 provinces, as well as the island of Rotuma as an area
with special status.
The market-oriented Republic of Fiji is one of the
most prosperous oceanic island states. However, the
December 2006 coup had a very negative impact on
economic development, especially on the most important
branch of the economy, the tourism industry.
The industry, which accounts for 18% of the gross
domestic product (GDP), focuses on the processing of
sugar cane and food as well as the production of
textiles (due to the low wages, many foreign companies
produce here). The island state has resources of gold,
silver and various ores.
Agriculture, especially the export of sugar, is also
important. Agriculture and fisheries contribute 13% to
GDP. Coconut palms and tropical vegetables are
cultivated for self-sufficiency. Forestry is of
increasing importance, precious woods are exported.
The most important trading partners for exports
(sugar, mineral water, textiles, fish, gold, wood) are
Singapore and Australia, followed by the USA and Great
Britain. Machines, vehicles, mineral oils, food,
chemical products and finished goods are mainly
imported. The most important trading partners here are
Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and Japan.
The road network on the two main islands is only
moderately developed. Airplanes and ships travel between
the islands. The cities of Nadi and Suva (Nausori) have
The currency is the Fiji dollar.