Geography of Fiji

Fiji, an archipelago of volcanic islands located in the alluring South Pacific, is renowned for its pristine beaches, lush tropical woods, and friendly, hospitable culture. Fiji is country rich in tradition and natural beauty because of its long history of Polynesian and Melanesian habitation and the islands' rich heritage.

Fiji offers a seamless fusion of magnificent scenery and lively cities, from its rocky topography to its dynamic urban centres.

Physical Features

A collection of volcanic islands in the South Pacific, Fiji is located 1,770 km (1,100 mi) north of New Zealand and 4,450 km (2,765 km) southwest of Honolulu. About 106 of the archipelago's 332 larger islands and 522 smaller islets are continuously inhabited. There are 18,272 km2 (7,055 sq. mi) of land in all. Its 1,282,978 km2 (495,361 sq. mi) Exclusive Economic Zone ranks 26th in terms of size. The two official cities of Suva, the nation's capital, and Lautoka are both located on Viti Levu, the country's largest island, which makes up around 57% of its land area.

Labasa and Savusavu are its two largest towns. It has Natewa Bay, which sculpts the Loa peninsula in the northeast. Natewa Bay, which carves off the Loa peninsula, is present in the northeast.

Both islands are rugged, with peaks rising suddenly from the beach up to 1,300 m (4,300 ft) and covered in tropical woods. On the windward (south-eastern) side of the islands, where heavy rainfall (up to 304 cm or 120 inches yearly) occur, lush tropical forest is present. Mountains shield the lowlands on the western sides of each of the main islands, and they have a distinct dry season that is good for crops like sugarcane. More than half of the people in Fiji reside in cities like Suva or smaller towns along the beaches of the islands. Because of its rugged terrain, the interior has a little population.ne.

Climate

Fiji has a tropical rainforest climate and a tropical monsoon climate. In Suva, the capital city of Fiji, the average winter low is in the upper 60s F (about 20 °C), and the average summer high is in the mid-80s F (about 29 °C). Elevated inland locations often have cooler temperatures. Around once every two years, tropical cyclones (hurricanes) occur during the season from November through March, when all districts suffer the most rainfall.

There is a significant difference in climatic conditions and agriculture between the east and west of the larger islands, where rainfall is reduced from April to October, giving an annual average of about 120 inches (3,000 mm), and where it virtually ceases, giving an annual rainfall that approaches 70 inches (about 1,800 mm).

Flora and Fauna

Fiji has a majority of its territory covered in forests, while its large islands' western regions have dry grasslands. In coastal regions, coconut palms are typical, and nearly all tropical fruits and vegetables can be cultivated. While mangrove swamps can be found on the eastern shores, much of the shoreline is made up of reefs and rocks. Due to the surrounding reef, there aren't many swimming beaches with white sand and little waves. The majority of animals are domesticated, including pigs, dogs, cattle, and some horses. It's common to observe mongooses, which were brought to feed on rats and snakes.

Demographics

Fiji's population is quite youthful. The population is made up of more than one-fourth of people under the age of 15, and another one-fourth of people between the ages of 15 and 29. Indians outnumbered native Fijians for 40 years following World War II. However, many Indians emigrated to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada once the government was ousted in 1987, and Fijians once again made up the majority.

Rapid urbanization led to the establishment of squatter colonies and certain social issues, particularly on the outskirts of Suva. An increasing rate of crime and the rapid expansion of a trade union movement can both be attributed to reasons such as economic gaps between urban and rural workers, divergent lifestyles within cities, and high urban unemployment.

Fisheries, Forestry, And Agriculture

The majority of Viti Levu's sugar is produced in the region near Labasa and on the western side of the island. The milling and selling of sugar are monopolized by the government-run Fiji Sugar Corporation. The largest market for sugar produced in Fiji is the European Union (EU); Fiji has preferential trade agreements with the EU, including the Lomé Convention of 1975 (which expired in 2000) and the Cotonou Agreement of 2000. Fiji's greatest export for the majority of the post-independence period, making up more than half of all exports, was sugar.

However, changes to the EU sugar pricing framework brought forth by external pressure in the early twenty-first century decreased Fiji's sugar revenue. In order to survive, the Fijian sector was compelled to implement its own structural adjustments, such as those targeted at boosting productivity. Additionally, the relative importance of sugar to the economy decreased as a result of the expansion of the apparel sector and tourism.

The alienation of native land has been outlawed since 1874, with the exception of a brief period in the early 20th century, leaving roughly nine-tenths of all land in Fijian possession. According to the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Act, farmers from various ethnic groups work under leasehold agreements lasting up to 30 years. Land ownership in Fiji is controlled by mataqali, or clan groups, albeit it may be managed by the Native Lands Trust Board.

Since the 1960s, when large-scale, planned planting of pine forests started, a lumber industry has grown for both domestic and international usage. Fish goods made up almost one-tenth of export earnings in the early 21st century, demonstrating the growing economic significance of fishing.

Resources

Although a sizable amount of hydroelectricity is produced, fuel imports continue to be significant. Gold is mined, but output fell in the first decade of the twenty-first century, and one of the nation's major mines shut down. Mines also produce silver. In 1997, a copper mine at Namosi, located inland from Suva, started operating.

Conclusion

Fiji is a collection of volcanic islands located in the South Pacific. The capital, Suva, and the significant town of Lautoka are located on Viti Levu, the largest island in the nation. The terrain of Fiji is rough, with peaks rising abruptly and draped in tropical vegetation. Tropical weather may be found there, with rainy season lasting from November to March and dry weather lasting from April to October. Due to the concentration of people in metropolitan areas, there are various societal problems.

Agriculture, forestry, and particularly the production of sugar were key economic drivers, but external factors have reduced sugar's significance. The majority of the original land is held by clan groupings, and fishing and tourism have grown to be extremely important to the economy. Fiji also mines copper, gold, and silver, but it still imports a lot of petroleum.

FAQs

1. Where is Fiji located?

Fiji is situated in the South Pacific, roughly 4,450 km southwest of Honolulu and 1,770 km north of New Zealand.

2. What is the climate like in Fiji?

With a wet season from November to March and a dry season from April to October, Fiji has a tropical rainforest climate.

3. What is the capital of Fiji?

On Viti Levu, the country of Fiji's largest island, is Suva.

4. What are the major industries in Fiji?

Fisheries, forestry, agriculture (particularly sugar production), tourism, and mining (gold, silver, and copper) are some of Fiji's main economic sectors.

5. Who are the major ethnic groups in Fiji?

Native Fijians and Indo-Fijians make up the majority of the population in Fiji, which has two primary ethnic groups.