Fiji
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Where is Fiji located?
Fiji is a country and archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, surrounding the Koro Sea, about 1,300 miles (2,100 km) north of Auckland, New Zealand. The archipelago consists of approximately 300 islands and 540 islets, scattered over about 1,000,000 square miles (3,000,000 square km). Around 100 of these islands are inhabited. Suva, the capital, is located on the southeast coast of Viti Levu, the largest island.
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What type of government does Fiji have?
Fiji is a republic with a government operating under the constitution adopted in 2013. From its independence until 1987, Fiji was a parliamentary democracy and a member of the Commonwealth. After being expelled from the Commonwealth following military-led coups in 1987, Fiji became a republic. The head of state is the president, who can serve a maximum of two three-year terms and is appointed by Parliament. The head of government is the prime minister, who leads the majority party in the national legislature. Fiji has a unicameral Parliament with members elected by proportional representation to four-year terms.
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How many islands make up Fiji?
Fiji is a country and archipelago situated in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago consists of approximately 300 islands, along with 540 smaller islets. These islands and islets are scattered across an area of about 1,000,000 square miles. Around 100 of these islands are inhabited. The capital of Fiji, Suva, is located on the southeast coast of Viti Levu, which translates to "Great Fiji" and is the largest island in the archipelago.
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What are some common languages spoken in Fiji?
Fiji has three official languages: English, Fijian, and Fijian Hindi. The widely spoken Fijian language includes many dialects; Bauan Fijian is the most common. Most Fijians speak at least two languages, including English and their ethnic community's language. Literacy is high in Fiji, and Fijian is widely used in writing and broadcasting. Fiji's mixed ethnicity contributes to its rich cultural heritage.
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What is Fiji's climate like?
Fiji has a tropical climate with fairly consistent temperatures. In Suva, average summer highs are in the mid-80s F (about 29 °C), and average winter lows are in the high 60s F (about 20 °C). Inland areas at higher elevations typically have lower temperatures.
Rainfall is heaviest from November to March, when tropical cyclones may occur. The eastern sides of the larger islands average about 120 inches (3,000 mm) of rain annually, while rainfall in the west virtually ceases, averaging about 70 inches (about 1,800 mm) per year. This creates a sharp contrast in climate and agriculture between the east and west. Cyclone Winston, the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, caused widespread damage in 2016.
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How does Fiji's geography influence its culture and economy?
Fiji's geography significantly shapes its culture and economy. The islands are largely the product of volcanic action, sedimentary deposit, and formations of coral. Fiji's market economy is based primarily on tourism and agriculture. Subsistence farming supplements income through crops like copra and taro, and commercial sectors rely on sugarcane and garment manufacturing.
Tourism, a leading economic activity, benefits from Fiji's location for travelers and attractions like duty-free shopping, handicraft markets, offshore islands, and secluded beaches. The larger islands are served by domestic air services, and a coastal highway circles Viti Levu, with minor roads to the interior, providing access to most areas of settlement. Traditional Fijian society was hierarchical. Leaders were chosen according to rank, which was based on descent as well as personal achievement.
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News •
Fiji, country and archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. It surrounds the Koro Sea about 1,300 miles (2,100 km) north of Auckland, New Zealand.
The archipelago consists of some 300 islands and 540 islets scattered over about 1,000,000 square miles (3,000,000 square km). Of the 300 islands, about 100 are inhabited. The capital, Suva, is on the southeast coast of the largest island, Viti Levu (“Great Fiji”).
- Head Of Government:
- Prime Minister: Sitiveni Rabuka
- Capital:
- Suva
- Population:
- (2026 est.) 902,700
- Head Of State:
- President: Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu
- Form Of Government:
- republic with one legislative house (Parliament [55 elected members plus 1 non-elected])2
- Official Languages:
- See footnote 3.
- Official Religion:
- none
- Official Name:
- Republic of Fiji1
- Total Area (Sq Km):
- 18,272
- Total Area (Sq Mi):
- 7,055
- Monetary Unit:
- Fijian dollar (F$)
- Population Rank:
- (2026) 165
- Population Projection 2030:
- 921,100
- Density: Persons Per Sq Mi:
- (2026) 128
- Density: Persons Per Sq Km:
- (2026) 49.4
- Urban-Rural Population:
- Urban: (2024) 59.2%
- Rural: (2024) 40.8%
- Life Expectancy At Birth:
- Male: (2021) 64.9 years
- Female: (2021) 68.2 years
- Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000):
- (2024) 5,402
- Gni Per Capita (U.S.$):
- (2024) 5,820
- Fijian long/short-form names: Matanitu ko Viti/Viti; Hindustani long-form name: Fiji Ripablik.
- A new constitution went into effect on September 6, 2013. The first legislative elections took place on September 17, 2014.
- The 2013 constitution specifies English, iTaukei (Fijian), and Hindi as the three languages used for official purposes.