| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Oceania |
| Geographical Location |
18° 00' South Latitude
175° 00' East Longitude |
| Surface Area |
18,270 sq km |
| Climate |
Tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation |
| Natural Resources |
Timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower |
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| Political Information |
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| Country Name |
Republic of the Fiji Islands |
| Capital City |
Suva (Viti Levu) |
| Government Type |
Republic |
| Administrative Divisions |
4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western |
| Independence Day |
10 October 1970 (from UK) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
893,354 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Fijian |
| Ethnic Groups |
Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.) |
| Religion |
Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2% |
| Languages |
English (official), Fijian, Hindustani |
| Population Growth Rate |
1.4% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
Fijian dollar (FJD) |
| Industries |
Tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries |
| Labor Force |
137,000 (1999) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Agriculture, including subsistence agriculture 70% (2001 est.) |
| Agriculture Products |
Sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish |
| Export Commodities |
Sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil |
| Export Partners |
US 23.6%, Australia 19.2%, UK 12.8%, Samoa 6.2%, Japan 4.1% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals |
| Import Partners |
Australia 27.7%, Singapore 24.8%, New Zealand 17.8%, Japan 4.2% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
597 km |
| Highways |
3,440 km |
| Pipelines |
- |
| Airports |
28 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Lambasa (Labasa), Lautoka, Levuka, Malau, Savusavu, Suva, Vuda |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+679 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.fj |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987,
caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century).
A 1990 constitution favored native Melanesian control of Fiji, but led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority.
Amendments enacted in 1997 made the constitution more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil.
Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government and gave a mandate to the government of Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. |
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