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Fiji Country Guide
Explore Fiji in Oceania
The terrain features mostly mountains of volcanic origin. The average density of population is approximately 51 per km². The notable climate conditions in Fiji can be described as tropical marine with only slight seasonal temperature variation. Potential natural disasters are cyclonic storms can occur from November to January.
To reach someone in Fiji dial +679 prior to a number. There are 136,800 installed telephones. And there are 640,000 registered mobile phones. The cellular networks commonly support frequencies of 900 MHz. Websites registered in this country end with the top level domain ".fj". If you want to bring electric equipment on your trip (e.g. laptop power supply), note the local power outlet of 240V - 50Hz.
About the flag and history of Fiji
Light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the blue symbolizes the Pacific ocean and the Union Jack reflects the links with Great Britain; the shield - taken from Fiji's coat of arms - depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George; the four quarters depict stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove.
Fiji became independent in 1970 after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987 caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting president but in January 2007 became interim prime minister. Since taking power BAINIMARAMA has neutralized his opponents, crippled Fiji's democratic institutions, and initially refused to hold elections. In 2012, he promised to hold elections in 2014.
Geography Quick-Facts
| Summary | Continent: Oceania Neighbours: Capital: Suva |
| Size | 18,270 square kilometers (km² or sqkm) or 7,054 square miles (mi² or sqmi) slightly smaller than New Jersey |
| Population | 931,000 |
| Currency | Name Dollar, Currency Code:FJD |
| Country Top Level Domain (cTLD) | .fj |
| Telephone Country Prefix | +679 |
| Mobile Phone Connections | 640,000 |
| Landline Phone Connections | 136,800 |
Country Position in World Rankings
Information about single country attributes and how these compare against the rest of the world. The information below is compiled with data from 2013. As such, it may differ a bit to the Information above in the text (which is from 2010).
Geography
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 18,274 (sq km) | 157 |
People and Society
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 896,758 | 161 |
| Population growth rate | 0.73 (%) | 139 |
| Birth rate | 20.28 (births/1,000 population) | 85 |
| Death rate | 5.96 (deaths/1,000 population) | 164 |
| Net migration rate | -6.99 (migrant(s)/1,000 population) | 199 |
| Maternal mortality rate | 26.00 (deaths/100,000 live births) | 129 |
| Infant mortality rate | 10.46 (deaths/1,000 live births) | 141 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 71.87 (years) | 139 |
| Total fertility rate | 2.54 (children born/woman) | 82 |
| Health expenditures | 4.90 (% of GDP) | 146 |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate | 0.10 (%) | 128 |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 1,000 | 141 |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths | 100 | 132 |
| Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 30.60 (%) | 25 |
| Education expenditures | 4.10 (% of GDP) | 106 |
Economy
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | 4,373,000,000 | 174 |
| GDP - real growth rate | 2.10 (%) | 131 |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | 4,900 | 162 |
| Labor force | 335,000 | 163 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.60 (%) | 86 |
| Taxes and other revenues | 25.10 (% of GDP) | 122 |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -4.20 (% of GDP) | 142 |
| Public debt | 47.90 (% of GDP) | 70 |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 4.70 (%) | 133 |
| Central bank discount rate | 3.00 (%) | 104 |
| Commercial bank prime lending rate | 7.47 (%) | 123 |
| Stock of narrow money | 794,600,000 | 154 |
| Stock of broad money | 2,495,000,000 | 147 |
| Stock of domestic credit | 1,786,000,000 | 140 |
| Market value of publicly traded shares | 1,404,000,000 | 103 |
| Industrial production growth rate | -0.10 (%) | 149 |
| Current account balance | -493,400,000 | 95 |
| Exports | 991,600,000 | 158 |
| Imports | 1,938,000,000 | 164 |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | 1,007,000,000 | 137 |
| Debt - external | 268,000,000 | 181 |
Energy
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity - production | 869,100,000 (kWh) | 152 |
| Electricity - consumption | 753,400,000 (kWh) | 158 |
| Electricity - installed generating capacity | 219,100 (kW) | 155 |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels | 54.80 (% of total installed capacity) | 147 |
| Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 38.80 (% of total installed capacity) | 57 |
| Electricity - from other renewable sources | 6.40 (% of total installed capacity) | 32 |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption | 17,810 (bbl/day) | 136 |
| Refined petroleum products - exports | 1,739 (bbl/day) | 105 |
| Refined petroleum products - imports | 16,110 (bbl/day) | 113 |
| Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy | 2,500,000 (Mt) | 146 |
Communications
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | 129,800 | 142 |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | 727,000 | 160 |
| Internet hosts | 21,739 | 115 |
| Internet users | 114,200 | 157 |
Transportation
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Airports | 28 | 120 |
| Railways | 597 (km) | 108 |
| Roadways | 3,440 (km) | 162 |
| Waterways | 203 (km) | 98 |
| Merchant marine | 11 | 108 |
Military
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Military expenditures | 1.60 (% of GDP) | 88 |
Data based on CIA facts book 2010 & 2013, wikipedia, national statistical offices and their census releases
List of current world heritage sites
| Name | Since |
|---|---|
| Levuka Historical Port Town The town and its low line of buildings set among coconut and mango trees along the beach front was the first colonial capital of Fiji, ceded to the British in 1874. It developed from the early 19th century as a centre of commercial activity by Americ ... | 2013 |