Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific, an archipelago of more than 300 islands lying east of Vanuatu and northwest of Tonga. A land of volcanic peaks, rainforest, and coral-fringed beaches, it is one of the most developed and visited countries of the Pacific, a hub of the region. Fiji's society is marked by the meeting of two main communities, the indigenous Fijians and the descendants of labourers brought from India, a relationship that has shaped both its rich culture and its turbulent modern politics.
Fiji was settled some three thousand years ago by seafaring peoples, and developed a society of chiefdoms with a fearsome reputation among early European visitors. In the nineteenth century the warrior chief Cakobau came to dominate much of the islands, and in 1874 the chiefs ceded Fiji to Britain. Under British rule, tens of thousands of indentured labourers were brought from India to work the sugar plantations, transforming the population. Fiji gained independence in 1970, and its later history has been punctuated by several military coups.
Fiji is a volcanic archipelago dominated by two large mountainous islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, surrounded by a scattering of smaller islands, coral reefs, and lagoons. The larger islands have rugged, forested interiors rising to high peaks, with the windward sides lush and wet and the leeward sides drier. The smaller islands and the famous reefs draw visitors from around the world. Lying in the Pacific cyclone belt, Fiji is periodically struck by powerful tropical storms that can cause severe damage.
The flag of Fiji has a light blue field with the British Union Jack in the upper corner and the country's shield on the fly. The bright blue represents the Pacific Ocean that surrounds and sustains the islands, while the Union Jack reflects the long historical link with Britain. The shield bears symbols including sugarcane, a coconut palm, bananas, and a dove of peace, representing the produce and the aspirations of the nation. The retention of the colonial-era design has at times been debated.
Fiji's religious life mirrors its divided population. The indigenous Fijians are overwhelmingly Christian, mostly Methodist, the legacy of nineteenth-century missionaries, and the church is a powerful force in their communities. The Indo-Fijian population, descended from the indentured labourers, is mainly Hindu, with a significant Muslim minority, so that temples and mosques stand alongside churches across the islands. This religious diversity is generally peaceful, and the festivals of each faith add to the colour of national life.
Fijian cuisine reflects both the indigenous Pacific tradition and the strong Indian influence. Indigenous cooking centres on root crops such as taro and cassava, fish and seafood, and coconut, often prepared in an earth oven called a lovo, with a beloved dish of raw fish marinated in coconut milk and lime known as kokoda. From the Indian community come curries, roti, and the liberal use of spices, now woven into the national diet. Kava, a mildly sedative drink made from a root, is central to social and ceremonial life.
Agriculture has long been central to Fiji's economy, above all sugarcane, introduced under British rule and grown especially by the Indo-Fijian community, which for generations was the country's leading export and remains important. Fiji also produces coconuts, ginger, tropical fruit, and root crops, and its bottled water has become a notable export. Alongside farming, tourism is now the largest pillar of the economy, drawing visitors to the islands' beaches and reefs, while fishing in the surrounding waters is also significant.
The cession to Britain in 1874, the great migration of indentured Indian labourers, and independence in 1970 shaped modern Fiji. The defining theme of its recent history, however, has been political instability rooted in tensions between the indigenous Fijian and Indo-Fijian communities, which produced a series of military coups beginning in 1987. After years of turbulence and periods of military rule, Fiji returned to elected government, and it remains the diplomatic and economic hub of the South Pacific.
Fiji has a population of around 900,000 people, divided mainly between two communities: the indigenous iTaukei, or native Fijians, of Melanesian and Polynesian heritage, who form the majority, and the Indo-Fijians, descendants of the indentured labourers from India. There are also smaller communities of other Pacific islanders, Europeans, and Chinese. English, Fijian, and Hindi all have official status. The population is concentrated on the two main islands, especially around the capital, Suva, and many Fijians live and work abroad.
