Question 1

What is the population of Fiji?

Accepted Answer

The population of Fiji is approximately 929,766.

Question 2

How do people greet each other in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

Fijians are warm and will go out of their way to greet people they meet, commonly using first names. Do: Address most people by their first names Greet people warmly, even strangers Relatives may be greeted by their relationship rather than their first name

Question 3

What are dining customs like in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

Meals in Fijian villages are often eaten seated cross-legged on a mat-covered floor, with food shared communally; the diet centers on taro, cassava, tropical fruits, seafood and dishes cooked in coconut milk. Do: Accept offered refreshments like juice or tea Wash your hands from the bowl passed around before and after the meal Try traditional foods steamed, boiled, or roasted, and dishes cooked in a lovo (ground oven) Don't: Don't refuse refreshments — it is considered impolite Spoons and forks are becoming more common in urban areas, though utensils were traditionally not used Women and girls usually eat after the men and boys Indian cuisine tends to be spicy and curry-based, with roti a daily staple

Question 4

What etiquette should I know when visiting a home in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

Visiting is relaxed and often unannounced, but certain courtesies around footwear and posture are important. Do: Remove your shoes when entering a house Accept the refreshments you are offered Don't: Don't stand higher than those who are sitting — it is impolite Don't refuse offered refreshments The custom of Kerekere means relatives or neighbors may ask for something needed, which is given willingly without expectation of repayment

Question 5

What should I wear in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

Dress is generally casual, and Western-style clothing is increasingly common throughout Fiji. Casual clothing is usually worn Native women wear a wraparound dress and native men wear pants and shirts

Question 6

Are there gestures or physical behaviors to avoid in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

Fijians are relaxed and courteous, but some physical gestures are considered offensive. Don't: Don't touch someone's head (except a child's) — it is offensive Don't stare, as it is considered offensive Avoid public displays of affection, even between married couples

Question 7

What is family life like in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

The father acts as head of the family, large families are common, and the elderly are often cared for by their own children. Cooking is often done in a smaller separate structure Urban dwellers of any ethnic group often live in Western-style homes

Question 8

What do people do for recreation in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

Rugby is the most popular sport, followed closely by soccer, and drinking yaqona (kava) is an important social ritual among men. Other popular activities include volleyball and swimming

Question 9

What is the capital of Fiji?

Accepted Answer

Suva, located on the southeastern coast of the main island of Viti Levu, is the capital and largest city of Fiji. It serves as the political, commercial, and cultural heart of the nation, housing the national parliament, government ministries, and the University of the South Pacific. Suva developed significantly during British colonial rule and remains one of the largest cities in the Pacific Islands region. The parliament's ceremonial mace is notably the silver-embossed war club of the 19th-century chief Cakobau.

Question 10

Where is Fiji located?

Accepted Answer

Fiji is an island nation situated in Melanesia, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, roughly 2,000 kilometers north of New Zealand and about 1,770 kilometers northeast of Australia. The country comprises more than 300 islands, of which around 110 are permanently inhabited. Notably, the International Date Line passes through the Fiji region; it bends eastward to keep all Fijian islands within a single time zone, meaning Fiji is among the first places in the world to begin each new calendar day.

Question 11

What are Fiji's ocean and sea borders?

Accepted Answer

As an island nation, Fiji shares no land borders with any country. It is entirely surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, with the Koro Sea lying at the heart of the archipelago. Its nearest island-nation neighbors include Tonga to the east, Vanuatu to the west, and Tuvalu to the north. Fiji's maritime boundaries encompass a vast exclusive economic zone, giving it significant control over surrounding ocean resources including fisheries and seabed minerals.

Question 12

What religion is practiced in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

Christianity is the predominant religion in Fiji, practiced by approximately 52 percent of the population, with Methodism being the largest denomination among indigenous Fijians. Hinduism is followed by roughly 38 percent of the population, predominantly among Indo-Fijians who are descendants of indentured laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century. Islam accounts for approximately 8 percent of adherents. This religious diversity reflects Fiji's distinct ethnic composition and has shaped its social and political landscape considerably.

Question 13

What is the currency of Fiji?

Accepted Answer

The official currency of Fiji is the Fijian dollar, with the ISO currency code FJD. It is issued by the Reserve Bank of Fiji and has been the country's currency since 1969, replacing the pound ahead of independence in 1970. The Fijian dollar is divided into 100 cents. As Fiji's economy relies heavily on tourism, sugar exports, and garment manufacturing, the FJD's exchange rate is monitored closely against major trading currencies such as the Australian and US dollars.

Question 14

What languages are spoken in Fiji?

Accepted Answer

Fiji has three official languages: English, Fijian (also called iTaukei), and Hindustani (Fiji Hindi). English serves as the primary language of government, education, and commerce, a legacy of nearly a century of British colonial rule. Fijian is spoken predominantly by indigenous Melanesian Fijians, while Fiji Hindi — a distinct dialect derived from several dialects of Hindi and Bhojpuri — is spoken widely in the Indo-Fijian community. The coexistence of these languages reflects the country's culturally and ethnically plural society.

Question 15

What is the geography of Fiji like?

Accepted Answer

Fiji consists of more than 300 islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, with the two largest — Viti Levu and Vanua Levu — accounting for the vast majority of the country's total land area and population. The terrain is predominantly volcanic and mountainous in the interiors, giving way to coastal plains and coral reefs along the shorelines. The islands experience a tropical climate, and the cyclone season between November and April brings significant storm risk; four cyclones struck Fiji in a single year in 1985, and later storms such as Cyclone Kina in 1993 caused widespread devastation.

Question 16

What is Fiji known for?

Accepted Answer

Fiji is internationally recognized for its coral reef ecosystems, particularly around the Mamanuca and Yasawa island chains, which draw significant dive tourism. The country is a major global exporter of bottled water (the FIJI Water brand) and sugar, the latter a legacy of British colonial agricultural policy. Culturally, Fiji is noted for the communal custom of kerekere — an obligation to give anything requested by a neighbor or relative without expectation of repayment — and for the traditional kava ceremony, a ritual social gathering centered on the drinking of the mildly narcotic yaqona root beverage.

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