The Fiji - Pacific Idyll I.
The Fiji-Basic Information
The State of Fiji is situated on the islands of the same name in South Pacific between Vanuatu and Samoa Islands. Fiji is placed on approx. 3000 kms distance in the east direction from Australia, 5100 kms in south-west direction from Hawaii Islands and approx. 1930 kms in south direction from the Equator. The islands have a form of certain „horseshoe“, around inland Sea of Koro. West as well as north-west parts of these group of islands are formed with the greatest islands of Viti Levu (10 390 square kilometres) and Vanua Levu (5 538 square kilometres). Both islands occupy 85% of total extent of the state. South and south-east parts are consisted of smaller islands, such as: Kandava, Taveuni, Moala, Vanua Vatu, Lakemba, Tizian, Toto, Fulanga, etc. Numerous coral cliffs are involved into islands´ group of Lau, Lomaiviti, Yasawa, Mamanuca, Simon and Ono Ilau. The island of Rotuma, situated in the distance of 400 kms, belongs to Fiji, too. So, the groups of Fiji Islands are consisted of 332 relatively great islands and approx. 500 cliffs, where 110 islands are not inhabitated.
Total extent of the country makes 18 274 square kilometres only, including 1 129 kms of coasts. Its territorial waters cover 1,3 millions of square kilometres approx., corresponding to the extent of several European countries together.
Population
On Fiji Islands, there are living approx. 876 000 persons. 57,3% are of Fiji origin (it is a group mixed from Melanesians and Polynesians of east Austronesian group), 37,6% the Hindu (or Hindu-Fiji of Indo-Aryan group), 1,2% Rotumans (the inhabitants from Rotuma group of islands, belonging to Fiji), and 3,9% other nations (the Europeans, Chinese and inhabitants of the other islands of the region). To typical features of local nations it is minimal stage of mixture between the groups of Fiji members and Hindu, including unofficial segregation of society levels.
Prevailing part of local inhabitatnts (nearly 78%) are living in two main islands - i.e. Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
Political system
Sovereign Republic of Fiji Islands is an independent Parliamentary Republic. The independece on Great Britain was obtained in 1970. On breake of 20th and 21st centuries, several state revolutions were effected, terminated with change of the Constitution.
The President is a Head of State, elected by means of Superior Leaders´ Council, for time period of five years. The Prime Minister is a Head of the Government. He nominates members of the Government from Deputy representatives. So called Presidential Council belongs to typical structures of power (it is consultative authority, responsible for all questions of national security) as well as Superior Leaders´ Council (Bosu Levu Vakaturanga) consisted of most respectable families, living in Fiji.
Two Chambers´ Parliament forms legislative authority, consisted of Senini (Senate - 34 deputies) and Vale (House of Parliament - 71 deputies). Their function period takes five years.
The state is divided into four regions, from administrative point of view („divisions“): Central, Eastern, Northern and Western, and one dependent territory („dependency“) - Rotuma. Suva City, placed in Viti Levu Island, is a capital.
The English and Fiji are official languages, and even Hindu language is extended there.
Religion
Main religious group is presented by Christians - 64,5%. These are Methodists (34,6%), Roman Catholics (9,1%), so called God Assembly (5,7%), The Adventists of the Seventh Day (3,9%), Church of England (0,8%), the others (10,4%). The other religious grops are Hindoo (27,9%), Moslems (6,3%), Sikhs (0,3%).
Places of Interest
The Fiji Islands are well-known with its marvellous blue lagoons, transparent rivers and hills, covered with always green forests. Great islands are interesting, first of all, with its many-coloured animal as well as vegetable world. Numerous national parks and reservations, including water ones, enable to see this island world in its original beauty.
Viti Levu
Viti Levu Island is placed in west part of these group of islands. It is the greatest and the highest Fiji island at the same time. Here, the biggest volcanic massifs are to be found, and nearly 70% of total population is living there. The island is 146 kms long and 106 kms wide and it is spreaded on the extent of 10 388 square kilometres. Only Hawaii and New Caledonia Islands surpass, as far as the extention is concerned.
The greatest towns of Fiji are to be found on this island. These are, as follows: Suva, Lautoka, Nadi, Sigatoka, Navua, Rakiraki. If you travel to Fiji by air, you will be landing at Nadi International Airport.
„Dry“ west part of the island, known as „Burning West“, is an area, where most of holiday resorts, including enormous sugar-cane plantations, are concentrated. Along south-east coast, Suva, capital and main port, is to be found. Modern road leads along Viti Levu circumference, connecting holiday resorts with towns. Anyway, the climate in different parts of the island is distinguishing from each other.
So, if you prefer more sunshine and sun-bathe, you would visit west part of the island, whereas for east part, it is characteristic a lot of green and humidity.
Suva
The capital is situated at south-east coast of the island, among Laskala Bay and Suva Harbour. It is political as well as administrative centre of the state, and also its main port and most ancient town. In Suva and its environs, nearly one half of town´s inhabitants of Fiji are living. So, from this reason, the town is taken for as the busiest town in Pacific Ocean. Suva became as capital recently (in 1882), when it was obvious that former capital Levuka has no chance to be extended. Originally, Suva was small community with several old houses of Victoria style. Nevertheless, just in 1922, great port was established there, with increased influence and respect for the whole region. At present, Suva is cosmopolitan town, where Fiji-people, Hindoo, Chinese, Europeans, Tonga-, Samoa-, Rotuma - people and other ethnics are living. So, all town´s monuments belong to various cultures. Local Mosques, churches, and cultural centres bring the shade and peculiarity to the whole area.
As the main sightseeing of Suva, it is Fiji Museum, situated just in the centre of Tarston historical gardens, beside Government House and old Parliament Building. So, Fiji Museum could be proud on the richest collection of antropology and group of islands´ history, and it is the first museum of such type in Pacific Area. Even University Building with marvellous frescos ín Saint Francis Xaver Hay, or Santanary Methodist Church and Catholic Cathedrale (1902) could be arranged to another places of interest. All these monuments are connected with so called „King´s Way“.
It is obvious from the first view that Suva is full of green. The palms are omnipresent and the town is covered with approx. 80 different parks. On Victoria Parades, main street, many buildings from colonial era arise, such as the banks, hotels, restaurants, night clubs, etc.
In the environs, the oldest Fiji cultural centre is to be found. It is Orchide Island, Polynesian Culture Centre, followed by famous Albert Park, where the plain of Charles Kingsford Smith, Australian aviator, landed in 1928. This man effected, as the first one, direct flight among USA and Australia. Bure Kalou, traditional church, has a tower, fifteen metres high. In its neighbourhood, you can admire small cultural village, including traditional local industry and ethnographic theatre.
A beach is placed in city centre. Nevertheless, most of tourists prefer bathing and sun-burning in Pacific Harbour Bay, distant approx. 20 minutes by car from city centre. The bay has a nickname „Adventures´ Metropolis“, because numerous holiday resorts were constructed there specially according to wishes of visitors from abroad. There is a rich choice of luxurious hotels, tens of first-class beaches, including golf-club with 18 holes. Not far from there, Beka Island is placed, native place of unique tradition of Savau Tribe – i.e. walking across heated coal („vilavilairevo“).
Next chapter: Sigatoka and Nadi
Text: Maxim Kucer
Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš
Photo: Wikipedia.com
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