Fiji

Fiji, officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands, is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean east of Vanuatu, west of Tonga and south of Tuvalu. The country occupies an archipelago of about 322 islands, of which 106 are permanently inhabited, and 522 islets. The two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for 87% of the population. The name Fiji is the old Tongan word for the islands, which in turn is derived from the Fijian name Viti.

A military coup d'état led by Commodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama deposed the civilian government of Laisenia Qarase on 5 December 2006(coup during the filming of Survivor Fiji), with Bainimarama declaring that he had "reluctantly" assumed the functions of the Presidency in an interim capacity. He handed the presidency back to Ratu Josefa Iloilo on 4 January 2007, and was appointed interim Prime Minister by Iloilo the next day

Brief 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). 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.

Location:

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geography:

Fiji consists of 323 islands, of which 110 are inhabited, and 522 smaller islets. The islands are mountainous, with peaks up to 1,300 metres (4,250 ft), and covered with tropical forests. Because of Fiji's geographical location, it has amazingly beautiful sunrises and sunsets.The Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 175 00

Climate:

tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

mostly mountains of volcanic origin

Natural Hazards:

cyclonic storms can occur from November to January

Population:

905,949 (July 2006 est.)

Nationality:

Fijian(s)

Languages:

English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani

Fiji Flag

Flag;

The Flag of Fiji is light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove.

Fiji

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