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Fiji
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Fiji (sometimes called the Fiji Islands), is a Melanesian country in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand and consists of an archipelago that includes 332 islands, a handful of which make up most of the land area, and approximately 110 of which are inhabited.
Fiji straddles the 180 degree longitude line (which crosses land on a remote tip of Vanua Levu and again near the center of Taveuni), so the international date line jogs east, placing Fiji all in one time zone and, "ahead" of most of the rest of the world.
CitiesSuva - the capital
LabasaLautokaLevukaNabouwaluNadi (pronounced 'Nandi')NausoriRakirakiSavusavuSigatokaBackgroundFiji is the product of volcanic mountains and warm tropical waters. Its majestic and ever-varied coral reefs today draw tourists from around the world, but were the nightmare of European mariners until well into the 19th century. As a result Fijians have retained their land and often much of the noncommercial, sharing attitude of people who live in vast extended families with direct access to natural resources.
Fiji straddles the 180 degree longitude line (which crosses land on a remote tip of Vanua Levu and again near the center of Taveuni), so the international date line jogs east, placing Fiji all in one time zone and, "ahead" of most of the rest of the world.
CitiesSuva - the capital
LabasaLautokaLevukaNabouwaluNadi (pronounced 'Nandi')NausoriRakirakiSavusavuSigatokaBackgroundFiji is the product of volcanic mountains and warm tropical waters. Its majestic and ever-varied coral reefs today draw tourists from around the world, but were the nightmare of European mariners until well into the 19th century. As a result Fijians have retained their land and often much of the noncommercial, sharing attitude of people who live in vast extended families with direct access to natural resources. When it came, European involvement and cession to Britain was marked by the conversion to Christianity, the cessation of brutal tribal warfare and cannibalism, and the immigration of a large number of indentured Indian laborers, who now represent nearly half of the population, as well as smaller numbers of Europeans and Asians. Today, Fiji is a land of tropical rainforests, coconut plantations, fine beaches, fire-cleared hills. For the casual tourist it is blessedly free of evils such as malaria, landmines, or terrorism that attend many similarly lovely places in the world.
Internal political events in the recent past resulted in a reduction in tourism. The Fiji tourism industry has responded by lowering prices and increasing promotion of the main resort areas that are far removed from the politics in and around the capital, Suva.
ClimateTropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation. Tropical cyclonic storms (The South Pacific version of Hurricanes) can occur from November to January.
TerrainMostly mountains of volcanic origin
Most of the interior of the main islands is trackless wilderness, though there are some roads and trails, and an amazing number of remote villages. Buses and open or canvas topped "carriers" traverse the mountanins of Vanua Levu several times a day and the interior mountains of Viti Levu many times weekly (The Tacirua Transport "hydromaster" bus which leaves from Nausori in the morning and runs past the hydroelectric resevoir and mount Tomanivi to arrive the same day in Vatoukola and Tavua is the best and the scenery is truly specatacular in good weather!)
HistoryFiji 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). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji, led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led 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 led by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.
A further military coup in 2006, led by Commodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, has again thrown the political situation into turmoil.
From Wikitravel, the free encyclopedia
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By AcrossTheWaters
5 days
A honeymoon escape where you're surrounded by beaches, blue sky, warm water, and a sun above shining happily down on the island. When you're on your honeymoon, you don't need much more than that (except each other!).
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By AcrossTheWaters
7 days
Want to add 3 Days to Fiji to my Australian vacation... it's on the way back home! Heck, maybe we'll even add a 3-Day Hawaii stopover, making this trip 10 days in Australia, 3 in Fiji, 3 in Hawaii, then 14 days in Australia for a full on 3-week vacation. Like the sound of that.
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11 people reviewed Fiji
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Top
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at 4:16AM March 9, 2009
Great place to visit. Loved the trips to the islands. Made loads of new friends.
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at 9:10PM February 27, 2009
Gimme that warm breeze!
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at 9:50AM December 2, 2008
Best place for a honeymoon or anniversary. Very romantic. Fantastic people. Call me to help you book your trip there.
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at 5:20PM September 13, 2008
This was leg 3 of my around the world trip in 1999.
I spent 3 weeks relaxing on the tiny island of Mana. Met some good people at the hostel I stayed at.
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at 5:50PM June 25, 2008
The most beautiful of all places
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at 10:55AM May 29, 2008
On my wish list!
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at 6:22AM May 29, 2008
i should have studied abroad during college..
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at 9:59PM May 28, 2008
stayed at Maravu Plantation on Tavuni. You MUST leave the main island since Fiji is 3 hours from Australia the main Island is like disneyland for them!
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at 3:10PM May 28, 2008
I will get here one day!!!!
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at 10:35PM May 27, 2008
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at 4:51PM May 27, 2008
A long time ago, I had a beautiful expericence here.
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