﻿ Fiji : Ask Biography


General information
Common nameFiji
Local nameMatanitu ko Viti  
Fijī Ganarājya
फ़िजी गणराज्य
NameMatanitu ko Viti  
Fijī Ganarājya
फ़िजी गणराज्य
Fear God and honour the Queen

God Bless Fiji
Largest citySuva
Official languagesEnglish, Bau Fijian, and Fiji Hindi
DemonymFiji Islander, Fijian
GovernmentMilitary Appointed Government and Parliamentary republic
PresidentEpeli Nailatikau
Prime MinisterFrank Bainimarama
GCC ChairmanRatu Epeli Nailatikau
Paramount ChiefQueen Elizabeth II1
from the United Kingdom10 October 1970
Republic28 September 1987
Total Area7056 sq mi (18275 km2) (155th)
Water %negligible
Population Est.849000 (156th)
Population census837,271 people (2007)
Density (pop.)46.4/km2 (148th) (120.3/sq mi)
GDP PPP$3.869 billion (2010)
GDP (PPP) per capita$4,347
GDP (nominal)$3.131 billion (2010)
GDP (nominal) per capita$3,518
Other information
HDI(-)0.669 (2010) (medium) (86th)
CurrencyFijian dollar (FJD)
Time zone+11 (UTC+12)
Drives on theleft
Internet TLD.fj
Calling code679

     Home | Country | Fiji

Fiji -enˈfiːdʒiːen-us-Fiji.ogg ( ; ), officially the Republic of Fiji ( ; ), is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about 1100 nmi (2037200 m) northeast of New Zealand's North Island. Its closest neighbours are Vanuatu to the west, France's New Caledonia to the southwest, New Zealand's Kermadec to the southeast, Tonga to the east, the Samoas, France's Wallis and Futuna to the northeast and Tuvalu to the north.


In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Dutch and the British explored Fiji. Fiji was a British colony up until 1970; British occupation lasted almost a century. Because of the abundance of forest, mineral, and fish resources, Fiji is one of the most developed economies in the Pacific island realm. Today, the main sources of foreign exchange are its tourist industry and sugar exports. The country's currency is the Fijian dollar.

Fiji has a local government system where city and town councils fall under the general supervision of the Ministry of Local Government and Urban Development. President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau became Fiji's president, after a high court ruled that the military leadership was unlawfully appointed after a 2006 coup. During World War II, the United Kingdom allowed for many thousands of Fijians to volunteer to aid in Allies' efforts via their attachment to the New Zealand and Australian army units. The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), consist of land and naval units.

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