Fiji is an island county situated in Melanesia, at a distance of about 2000km (1300 mi or 1000 nautical miles) in the north eastern direction of North Island of NewZealand. Some of its adjacent neighbors are Vanuatu in the western direction, New Caledonia (France) in the south western direction, Kermadec (Newzealand) in the southeastern direction, Tonga in the east, Wallis and Futuna (France) in the north east and Tuvalu in the north direction respectively.

Some 150 million years back, a major portion of the Fiji islands were created through volcanic actions. At present geothermal actions still happen in Taveuni and Vanua Levu islands. Eversince the 2nd millienuem BC, the islands has been occupied. The island forms of an archipelago, which consists of above 332 isles, out of which 110 are occupied eternally and above 500 isles, constituting an 18,300 square kilometers total area.

Vanua Levu and Viti Levu, the two big islands amount to 87% of the 850,000 population, Suva, the capital and biggest city is situated in Viti Levu.A majority of the Fiji population reside in the coasts of Viti Levu, in tiny urban area or in Suva.
During the 17 th and 18th centuries, the Fiji islands were discovered by the British and the Dutch. Almost for a century, the British occupied Fiji and up to 1970, it remained a British colony. Since Fiji boasts of surplus amount of minerals, fish, and forests resources, it exists as developed economies in the Pacific island dominion.

Capital: Suva

Independence: got independence from Britain on 10th October, 1970, became Republic on 28th September 1987.
Language: English, Bau Fijian (official languages)

Religion: Christians 64.5%, Hindus 27.9%, Muslims 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, unspecified 0.3%, others 0.7%

Currency: Fijian dollar

Time zone: +11 (UTC+12)

History

The art of pottery found in Fijian towns, indicate that Fiji has been inhabitated about or prior to 3500–1000 BC, even though the Pacific migration query hangs on. It is considered that the Polynesian’s antecedent or Lapita natives were the primary inhabitants of the islands. However not much is not known what happen before the arrival of the Melanesians. It is believed that the Melanesians had some sway on the latest culture and evidence of archeology reveals that they shifted to Samoa, Tonga, and to Hawaii.

Some 5000 years back, Fiji’s primary settlements were initiated by settlers and merchants from the west. The shards of Lapita pottery were discovered at several excavations all around the nation. The country has been a home to several languages. Continuous conflicts and cannibalism occurred between the wars clans.

In 1643, Abel Tasman, the Dutch explorer visited the island, with the intention of discovering the great Southern continent. In the early part of the 19th century, the European settlers permanently stayed in the island. The Beach combers, whalers, missionaries, were the primary settlers from Europe.

A Fiji warlord and chief by name Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau belonging to Bau island united portions of the warring groups, beneath his leadership. He then functioned himself as a self proclaimed king of Fiji. In 1874, the island was conquered as a British colony. From India, contract labourers were brought to Fiji to work in the sugar plantations. In 1970, Fiji gained Independence from Britain.