Fiji Facts and Culture

What is Fiji famous for?

• Cultural Attributes: Fijians are generally relaxed and courteous. They are proud of their traditions and culture. More
• Family: The father acts as head of the family. Large families are not uncommon. The elderly are often cared for by... More
• Personal Apperance: Western style clothing is becoming more widespread throughout Fiji. Casual clothing is usually worn. Native women wear a... More
• Recreation: Rugby is the most popular sport with soccer a close second. Other sports included volleyball and swimming. Among the men... More
• Diet: There are many tropical fruits to choose from, bananas, mangoes and papayas are popular choices. Fijian diet frequently consists... More
• Visiting: Refreshments are usually given, comprising of juice or tea. It is impolite to refuse them. Visiting is often done... More

What is the capital of Fiji?

Capital	Suva (on Viti Levu)
Government Type	Parliamentary republic
Currency	Fijian dollars (FJD)
Total Area	7,056 Square Miles 18,274 Square Kilometers
Location	Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Language	English (official), Fijian, Hindustani
GDP - real growth rate	3%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$9,800.00 (USD)

What is the population of Fiji?

Ethnic Groups	Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.)
Nationality Noun	Fijian(s)
Population	935,974
Population Growth Rate	0.73%
Population in Major Urban Areas	SUVA (capital) 177,000
Urban Population	52.200000

What type of government does Fiji have?

Executive Branch	Chief of State: President Ratu Wiliame KATONIVERE (since 12 November 2021) Head of Government: Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA (since 24 December 2022) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament Elections/Appointments: president elected by Parliament for a 3-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 October 2021 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister endorsed by the president Election results: 2021: Ratu Wiliame KATONIVERE elected president; Wiliame KATONIVERE (People's Alliance) 28 votes, Teimumu KEPA (SODELPA) 23 votes
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal
Citizenship	Citizenship by birth: No Citizenship by descent only: At least one parent must be a citizen of Fiji Dual citizenship recognized: Yes Residency requirement for naturalization: At least 5 years residency out of the 10 years preceding application
National Holiday	Fiji (Independence) Day, 10 October (1970)
Constitution	History: Several previous; latest signed into law 6 September 2013 Amendments: Proposed as a bill by Parliament and supported by at least three quarters of its members, followed by referral to the president and then to the Electoral Commission, which conducts a referendum; passage requires approval by at least three-quarters of registered voters and assent by the president
Independence	10 October 1970 (from the UK)

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What environmental issues does Fiji have?

Overview	Fiji is referred to as "300 islands in the sun." Of the 320 islands and islets that make up the Fiji group, only about 150 are permanently inhabited. The total land area of the country, 18,272 square kilometers (7,055 square miles). The largest island, Viti Levu, 10,386 square kilometers (4,101 square miles), has a mountainous interior penetrated by few roads. Most agricultural land and all towns are near the sea or along the river valleys. The highest point, Mt. Victoria, rises 1,323 meters (4,341 feet). Twenty-eight other peaks exceed 914 meters (3,000 feet). Vegetation on the windward side of the islands is luxuriously tropical, while grasslands prevail on the leeward sides. The climate is warm and humid. Suva, on the eastern "wet" side of Viti Levu, averages 120 inches of rain annually. The western and northern sides of the island are drier and sunnier. Temperatures in Suva range from the high 60’s in the winter, to the mid 90’s in the summer. Most of Fiji’s sugarcane, the nation’s primary crop, is grown on the western side. Nadi (pronounced Nandi), site of the international airport, lies on the western side, benefiting from the better weather and visibility. Many of Fiji’s tourist resorts, some ranking among the best in the world, are in the West.
Climate	The wet summer season lasts from December through March. The cooler, drier winter season falls between May and October. Although temperature changes are noticeable, the average number of days of rainfall in Suva varies little from month to month. Humidity during summer is usually high, often reaching 90% and above. Fiji is in the hurricane zone. The last hurricane to hit Suva directly was Cyclone Kina, in January 1991. In March 1997, Cyclone Gavin swept through northern Vanua Levu and the northwestern part of Viti Levu, devastating several outer island-groups. Southeast trade winds blow steadily from March to October, with variable winds during the Southern Hemisphere summer.
Environment - Current Issues	Deforestation; soil erosion
Environment - International Agreements	Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Terrain	Mostly mountains of volcanic origin

How big is the Fiji economy?

Economic Overview	Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed and connected of the Pacific island economies. Earnings from the tourism industry, with an estimated 842,884 tourists visiting in 2017, and remittances from Fijian’s working abroad are the country’s largest foreign exchange earners. Bottled water exports to the US is Fiji’s largest domestic export. Fiji's sugar sector remains a significant industry and a major export, but crops and one of the sugar mills suffered damage during Cyclone Winston in 2016. Fiji’s trade imbalance continues to widen with increased imports and sluggish performance of domestic exports. The return to parliamentary democracy and successful elections in September 2014 improved investor confidence, but increasing bureaucratic regulation, new taxes, and lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders brought four consecutive years of decline for Fiji on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index. Private sector investment in 2017 approached 20% of GDP, compared to 13% in 2013.
Industries	Tourism, sugar processing, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber
Currency Name and Code	Fijian dollars (FJD)
Export Partners	US 20.8%, Australia 14.9%, NZ 7.7%, Tonga 5%, Vanuatu 4.6%, China 4.5%, Spain 4.3%, UK 4.3%, Kiribati 4.1%
Import Partners	Australia 19.2%, NZ 17.2%, Singapore 17%, China 13.8%

What current events are happening in Fiji?
Source: Google News

What makes Fiji a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Fiji is a South Pacific island nation with 333 islands and islets, 106 of which are inhabited. The capital of Fiji is Suva. Once a leader of Pacific democracies, Fiji has been under military rule since 2006. Since the government's abrogation of Fiji's Constitution in April 2009, the government has ruled by decree and limited basic freedoms. A new constitution promulgated on September 6, 2013 restores some freedoms while keeping decrees in place until the first seating of Parliament sometime after elections, which are expected in September 2014.

Tourism is a major industry in Fiji, and a full range of services are available. The Fiji Visitors Bureau has a wide range of information for travelers that can be accessed by visiting the Fiji Visitors Bureau's website.

Crime

Urban areas experience a higher incidence of crime than do rural areas. Most crime takes place in Suva and Nadi, away from resort areas. You should always protect your valuables and be aware that theft from hotel rooms, purse snatching, and pick pocketing are the most common crimes against tourists. Be attentive of your personal safety and be cautious about sharing too much personal information about where you are from and where you are staying while traveling. If you are not familiar with an area, ask hotel staff about areas to avoid. There has been an increase in incidents involving sexual assaults and harassment in Fiji. You should not walk alone after dark and always be sure to avoid isolated and deserted areas. You should lock your doors and windows when you are alone at home or in your hotel room. Since there is crime directed at taxi drivers, do not allow taxis to pick up other passengers while you are en route. Similarly, you should not enter a taxi already carrying other passengers.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Fiji, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. You should carry photo identification with you at all times. If you are suspected of being involved in criminal activities, you will be taken in for questioning and asked for identification. Respect any cultural sites with security warnings posted against photography. Fiji enforces laws against driving under the influence of alcohol, and offenders may be taken to jail. If you are stopped and found to be driving under the influence of alcohol, you will be taken to the police station for further tests. If the second test is affirmative, you will be detained in a prison cell to sober up, typically overnight, and you will be charged the following morning. If you do not have a permanent address in Fiji, the local police will keep you in custody and will arrange for a special court hearing with a Magistrate. These hearings take place during regular work days, and on the weekends and holidays. If you have a permanent residence in Fiji, you will be charged and may be released, and then you will be asked to attend court on a set date.

Criminal penalties vary from country to country. There are some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Fiji, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Health-care facilities in Fiji's urban areas are adequate for routine medical problems. In the rural areas, staff training is limited and there are often shortages of supplies and medications. Travelers should carry adequate supplies of any needed prescription medicines, along with copies of their prescriptions, the generic name of the drugs, and a supply of preferred over-the-counter medications. Emergency response is extremely limited. Ambulance availability is minimal, and ambulances are often poorly equipped and staffed. Two major hospitals, the Lautoka Hospital in the western city of Lautoka and the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, provide limited emergency and outpatient services. A recompression chamber at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva can treat decompression sickness (See also Special Circumstances, Water Sports). A private hospital in Suva provides Western-style medical care, and other hospitals and clinics provide a limited range of health services. Medical emergencies may be evacuated to Australia, New Zealand, or the United States. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States or elsewhere can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services. Medevac to Australia or NZ will only be considered if patient has adequate insurance or upfront payment which can be expected to run into tens of thousands of dollars. In some cases, medevac to Australia or NZ can require a medical visa.

Dengue fever, carried by infected mosquitoes, occurs throughout the country of Fiji, especially during the rainy season.

Safety and Security

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to exercise caution when traveling to or within Fiji. Since the Fijian government's abrogation of Fiji's Constitution in April 2009, the Fijian government has ruled by decree and limited somebasic freedoms. U.S. citizens in Fiji should remain cautious and alert in public places and near military activities in the greater Suva area. Although demonstrations are not common in Fiji, you should avoid demonstrations and large crowds, remembering that even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent unexpectedly.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in Fiji, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Traffic moves on the left in Fiji. While most roads in urban areas are paved, they are poorly maintained. Roads outside the city are usually not paved. In the city, be especially attentive when driving after dark. Outside of the city, it is best to avoid driving after dark except in emergency or exceptional circumstances. Insufficient lighting, stray animals, unwary pedestrians, and potholes make driving dangerous and particularly hazardous at night.