Our Place in the World

Fiji is often known as ‘the hub of the Pacific’ because of its unique location between the Melanesian and Polynesian islands of the South Pacific. Lying just west of the International Dateline and below the equator, it enjoys an idyllic tropical climate pretty much all year round. Made up of 300 islands, the two main islands are Viti Levu (the largest) and Vanua Levu, with only 100 islands inhabited. The capital city of Suva is located on the Eastern side of Viti Levu and the international airport is located in Nadi, a town on the west coast of Viti Levu.

Area Covered:
Latitude: 12°-21°S and
Longitude: 176°E-178°W.

Over 300 islands make the Fiji group of islands with a total land area of just 18,272 square kilometers. Of the 300 islands, only a 100 or so islands are inhabited by humans and the rest are left as nature reserves.

Viti Levu at 10,390 sq km (4052 sq mi), and Vanua Levu at 5538 sq km (2160 sq mi) are the biggest islands. Suva, the capital is situated on the south-western coast of Viti Levu, and the island also has the country's highest peak - Mt Tomanivi (Mt Victoria) at 1323m (4339ft). Taveuni and Kadavu are also substantial islands, but the rest of the country is made up of small islands divided into the Lomaiviti, Lau, Moala, Yasawa, Mamanuca and Rotuma groups.

Many of these islands are relatively untouched and there are also many beautiful reefs, lagoons, harbors, as well as natural vegetation. Around 15% of the country's forests have been cleared since the 1960s and this has resulted in erosion. The environment has not been properly managed, and pollution and waste continue to sully the waterways and lands around the urban areas, particularly around Suva.

Almost 80 percent of the population live on the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Only about 40 percent of the population live in urban areas.

Population:

Fijians: 456,207
Indians: 320,659
Other races: 63,335
TOTAL: 840,201

*31st Dec 2004 (prov est)
Source: Bureau of Statistics, Fiji