Fiji

Fiji Background

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). A 1990 constitution favored native Melanesian control of Fiji, but led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. Amendments enacted in 1997 made the constitution more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a 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 and gave a mandate to the government of Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE.

Fiji Information

• Population: 880,874 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian
• Location:: Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
• Religions:: Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2% note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority (1986)
• Ethnic Groups:: Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.)
• Land Boundaries:: 0 km
• Area: total: 18,270 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 18,270 sq km
• Coast Line: 1,129 km
• Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
• Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin
• Maritime Claims: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
• Land Use: arable land: 10.95% permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: deforestation; soil erosion
• Natural Resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower
• Highways: total: 3,440 km paved: 1,692 km unpaved: 1,748 km (1999 est.)
• Railways: total: 597 km narrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gauge note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during harvest season (May to December) (2003)
• Ports & Harbours: Lambasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Malau, Savusavu, Suva, Vuda
• Airports: 28 (2003 est.)