Fiji, east in the southwest Pacific; 18,274 km2, 883,000 residents (2019).Fiji, located in the border area between Melanesia and Polynesia, consists of more than 800 islands. A hundred of these are inhabited. The four main islands are Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Kandavu. The capital is Suva (94,000 residents, 2018), located on the island of Viti Levu.
Country facts
- Republic of Fiji / Republic of Fiji
- Country abbreviation: FJ
- Area: 18 274 km2
- Population (2019): 883,000 residents
- Capital: Suva
- Main languages: English, Fiji, Indian languages, mainly Hindi
- State: Republic
- Head of State: Jioji Konrote (President)
- Head of Government: Voreqe Bainimarama
- Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 6,202
- GNI per capita (2018): US $ 5,860
- Currency unit: 1 Fijian dollar = 100 cents
- Currency code: FJD
- Country number (telephony): 679
- Internet domain name: fj
- Time difference compared to Sweden: +11
- National Day: October 10 (Independence Day, 1970)
Nature
- Land use: forest (65%), agricultural land (14%), other (21%)
- Highest mountain: Tomaniivi (1,323 m above sea level)
Population
- Population density (2019): 48 residents per km2
- Natural population growth (2019): 1.0%; birth rate 18 ‰, death rate 8 ‰
- Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (29%), 15-64 (65%), 65- (6%)
- Average life expectancy (2019): men 67 years, women 70 years
- Infant mortality (2019): 14 per 1,000 live births
- Population forecast 2050: 900,000 residents
- HDI (2017): 0.741 (place 92 of 189)
- Urbanization rate (2019): 56%
- Most populous cities (2018): Suva (94,000), Nasinu (92,000 residents),
Business
- Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (14%), industry (17%), service (69%)
- Exports (2017): US $ 908 million
- Main export products: sugar, gold
- Main exporting countries: USA, Australia, New Zealand
- Imports (2017): US $ 1 911 million
- Main import products: machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products
- Main importing countries: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore
- Railway network (2010): 600 km
Fiji’s dominant islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, are made up of volcanic rocks that, through weathering, form sharp mountain ridges. Several rivers have created deep, scenic valleys and large delta plains. The main islands are surrounded by smaller coral islands.
The country has a two-chamber parliament with a Senate with appointed members and a House of Representatives with 71 members elected for five-year terms. A new constitution was adopted in 1997, which gave the Indian population greater rights. In 2000, the government was taken hostage by a group of Fijian nationalists whose goal was to introduce pure Fijian rule on the islands. Continued contradictions between the ethnic groups led to a new coup in 2006 but in 2014 democratic elections were held again.
Business is based on agricultural production and tourism. Sugar is the main export commodity, but other agricultural products, e.g. tropical fruits, constitute an increasing part of export revenue. Tourism, the country’s other major source of income, has declined significantly. In 2010, the country was hit by Hurricane Tomas, which caused major damage.
Fiji Map
