Fiji :
Once known as the Cannibal Isles, because of its ferocious natives, the South Pacific nation of Fiji is comprised of 322 islands. About 100 are inhabited, while the balance remain nature preserves.
First settled by Polynesians, the Fiji islands were sort of discovered in 1643 by Abel Tasman, a Dutch explorer. In 1774, even Captain Cook anchored here, but it was Captain William Bligh of (Mutiny on the Bounty) fame that finally made them famous.
In 1874 Fiji became a British Colony. It gained its independence in 1970, after nearly a century of British control.
The majority of Fiji is mountainous (volcanic in origin) with several peaks exceeding 3000 ft. The balance of the smaller islands are a mixture of coral and limestone. Barrier reefs ring most islands.
Tourism dollars are Fiji's main source of income, followed by the Sugar and garment industries. It's also rich in gold, coconut oil, seafood and lumber.
The exotic islands of Fiji are one of Oceania's most popular destinations. For additional info about Fiji,
Facts and Figures
Population 818,000
Official Currency Fiji Dollar
Land Area 118,270 sq km (7,054 sq miles)
Highest Point Mt. Victoria, 4,341 ft. (1,323 m)
Climate Fiji enjoys tropical conditions throughout the year with gentle trade winds tempering the heat and humidity
Each of the main islands are divided by mountain ranges, and both have a "wet" side to the south and east, and a "dry" side to the north and west. Resorts tend to line the west and south coasts of the larger islands. Fiji receives 100 inches of annual rainfall.
Note that Fiji seasons are just the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere, as Spring is (Sept-Nov), Summer is (Dec-Feb), Fall is (Mar-May) and Winter is (Jun-Aug).
Fiji Fun Facts and Trivia
Until the mid-19th century, the practice of eating one’s enemy was an accepted and honored tradition in Fiji. If, for example, war had been declared, Fijians would be sharpening their knives (and forks) in preparation of meeting their enemies.
The last act of cannibalism in Fiji occurred in 1867. Reverend Baker and his colleagues came to the village of Nabutautau to civilize the natives and to convert them to Christianity. The initial interactions between Baker and the Fijian villagers were positive, but then in an attempt to retrieve a comb (or hat), Baker touched the head of the village chief. This was a forbidden act and a gesture that to the villagers was tantamount to declaring war. They cannibalized Baker and his fellow missionaries.
Reverend Baker’s boot, with teeth marks on it, is on display in the Fiji Museum, bearing testimony to the history of the islands and the effects of cultural misunderstandings.
By the 1990s, all of Fiji had become a global village. Almost all of Fiji, anyway. The village of Nabatautau watched helplessly as the rest of the country acquired tools of modernity, such as schools, roads and electricity. The Fijians of this village believed they were cursed, that they were being punished for what they had done to Reverend Baker over a century earlier. In 2003, ten descendants of Reverend Baker and 600 others attended a cultural ceremony in Nabatautau that would change the course of the future. This act of forgiveness, of letting the past be past, paved the road for roads to be built in Nabatautau. Today, the village of Nabatautau proudly hosts the successful Thomas Baker Memorial School and Thomas Baker College.
Fiji was colonized by the British in 1874 and remained under British rule for over a century, until it officially gained independence in 1970.
Despite the attempts of some anti-colonialists to change the look of Fijian currency in 1970, the coins and banknotes of the country still bear the image of the Queen of England today.
Fiji still uses the British flag, but imposes the Union Jack on it. The coat of arms contains items commonly associated with Fiji, such as bananas and sugarcane, and a white dove symbolizes peace between The Republic of Fiji and Great Britain.
Vestiges of British colonialism show up even in the extracurricular tastes of the islands. The most popular sports in Fiji are rugby, football (soccer), cricket and golf.
The Fiji national rugby union team is one of the best in the world.
Fiji is home to the renowned professional golfer Vijay Singh.
Fiji hosted the Pacific Games in 2003.
On New Year’s Eve, many Fijian village women play a game called veicaqe moli (loosely translated as “kick the orange”), in which the winning team is required to present a gift of new clothes to the losing team.
Fire-walking is a popular activity in Fiji that nowadays is mainly used to entertain tourists.
The official name of the Fijian islands is “The Republic of Fiji.”
If one counted every single island (including coral outcrops) that belongs to the Fijian archipelago, this number would be in the thousands. However, only about 322 are seen as big enough to support human habitation. Of these 322 islands, only 106 are inhabited.
Fiji is situated on the International Date Line (on the 180 degree meridian), which means that it is one of the first places in the world to usher in a new day. There is a particular spot on Taveuni Island where a person can stand with one foot in the current day and one foot in the day before.
Wildlife in Fiji
Wildlife in Fiji involves various types of fauna which are found in different parts of the country. Wildlife in Fiji not only deals with the commonly found animals but also with some endangered species of animals.Fiji Wildlife thrives mainly on the huge forest reserves i.e about eight-hundred-and-fifty thousand hectares of natural forests. The forests comprise large areas of hardwood trees including sandalwood and kauri. The rain forests cover much of the large islands owned by the local clans.
These forests are used by multinationals and locals for growing trees and vegetation that have medicinal value.
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| Fiji Page from my Atlas World Software |
Once known as the Cannibal Isles, because of its ferocious natives, the South Pacific nation of Fiji is comprised of 322 islands. About 100 are inhabited, while the balance remain nature preserves.
First settled by Polynesians, the Fiji islands were sort of discovered in 1643 by Abel Tasman, a Dutch explorer. In 1774, even Captain Cook anchored here, but it was Captain William Bligh of (Mutiny on the Bounty) fame that finally made them famous.
 |
| Native People Dancing in Fiji |
In 1874 Fiji became a British Colony. It gained its independence in 1970, after nearly a century of British control.
 |
| Fiji is mountainous (volcanic in origin) with several peaks |
The majority of Fiji is mountainous (volcanic in origin) with several peaks exceeding 3000 ft. The balance of the smaller islands are a mixture of coral and limestone. Barrier reefs ring most islands.
 |
| Barrier reefs ring most islands. |
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| The Super-Fresh Seafood. Fresh seafood is on the menu in Fiji. Lobster |
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| When in Fiji…….. Friday is affectionately known as “Seafood Friday” |
Tourism dollars are Fiji's main source of income, followed by the Sugar and garment industries. It's also rich in gold, coconut oil, seafood and lumber.
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| Sugar Industry of Fiji |
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| Garment Industry in Fiji |
The exotic islands of Fiji are one of Oceania's most popular destinations. For additional info about Fiji,
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| Vatukoula-goldmine-Fiji |
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| Fiji Gold |
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| Producing Coconut Oil is the major industry in Fiji. |
Facts and Figures
Population 818,000
Official Currency Fiji Dollar
Land Area 118,270 sq km (7,054 sq miles)
Highest Point Mt. Victoria, 4,341 ft. (1,323 m)
Climate Fiji enjoys tropical conditions throughout the year with gentle trade winds tempering the heat and humidity
Each of the main islands are divided by mountain ranges, and both have a "wet" side to the south and east, and a "dry" side to the north and west. Resorts tend to line the west and south coasts of the larger islands. Fiji receives 100 inches of annual rainfall.
Note that Fiji seasons are just the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere, as Spring is (Sept-Nov), Summer is (Dec-Feb), Fall is (Mar-May) and Winter is (Jun-Aug).
Fiji Fun Facts and Trivia
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| The Banquet Fijian men posed preparing for a cannibal banquet Between 1885 and 1891 |
Until the mid-19th century, the practice of eating one’s enemy was an accepted and honored tradition in Fiji. If, for example, war had been declared, Fijians would be sharpening their knives (and forks) in preparation of meeting their enemies.
The last act of cannibalism in Fiji occurred in 1867. Reverend Baker and his colleagues came to the village of Nabutautau to civilize the natives and to convert them to Christianity. The initial interactions between Baker and the Fijian villagers were positive, but then in an attempt to retrieve a comb (or hat), Baker touched the head of the village chief. This was a forbidden act and a gesture that to the villagers was tantamount to declaring war. They cannibalized Baker and his fellow missionaries.
 |
| The remains of Thomas Baker’s boot, Teeth marks included |
Reverend Baker’s boot, with teeth marks on it, is on display in the Fiji Museum, bearing testimony to the history of the islands and the effects of cultural misunderstandings.
By the 1990s, all of Fiji had become a global village. Almost all of Fiji, anyway. The village of Nabatautau watched helplessly as the rest of the country acquired tools of modernity, such as schools, roads and electricity. The Fijians of this village believed they were cursed, that they were being punished for what they had done to Reverend Baker over a century earlier. In 2003, ten descendants of Reverend Baker and 600 others attended a cultural ceremony in Nabatautau that would change the course of the future. This act of forgiveness, of letting the past be past, paved the road for roads to be built in Nabatautau. Today, the village of Nabatautau proudly hosts the successful Thomas Baker Memorial School and Thomas Baker College.
Fiji was colonized by the British in 1874 and remained under British rule for over a century, until it officially gained independence in 1970.
 |
| Fijian currency Note |
Despite the attempts of some anti-colonialists to change the look of Fijian currency in 1970, the coins and banknotes of the country still bear the image of the Queen of England today.
 |
| Fiji: One of the famous tourist spot around world |
Fiji still uses the British flag, but imposes the Union Jack on it. The coat of arms contains items commonly associated with Fiji, such as bananas and sugarcane, and a white dove symbolizes peace between The Republic of Fiji and Great Britain.
Vestiges of British colonialism show up even in the extracurricular tastes of the islands. The most popular sports in Fiji are rugby, football (soccer), cricket and golf.
 |
| Fiji national rugby union team is one of the best in the world. |
The Fiji national rugby union team is one of the best in the world.
Fiji is home to the renowned professional golfer Vijay Singh.
 |
| Golfer Vijay Singh |
Fiji hosted the Pacific Games in 2003.
 |
| Fiji hosted the Pacific Games in 2003. |
On New Year’s Eve, many Fijian village women play a game called veicaqe moli (loosely translated as “kick the orange”), in which the winning team is required to present a gift of new clothes to the losing team.
 |
| Fire-walking is a popular activity in Fiji |
Fire-walking is a popular activity in Fiji that nowadays is mainly used to entertain tourists.
The official name of the Fijian islands is “The Republic of Fiji.”
 |
| SOFT CORAL PARADISE |
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| Dive into the coral reef of Fiji |
If one counted every single island (including coral outcrops) that belongs to the Fijian archipelago, this number would be in the thousands. However, only about 322 are seen as big enough to support human habitation. Of these 322 islands, only 106 are inhabited.
 |
| Dance Festival in Fiji |
Fiji is situated on the International Date Line (on the 180 degree meridian), which means that it is one of the first places in the world to usher in a new day. There is a particular spot on Taveuni Island where a person can stand with one foot in the current day and one foot in the day before.
Wildlife in Fiji
 |
| Banded Rails |
Wildlife in Fiji involves various types of fauna which are found in different parts of the country. Wildlife in Fiji not only deals with the commonly found animals but also with some endangered species of animals.Fiji Wildlife thrives mainly on the huge forest reserves i.e about eight-hundred-and-fifty thousand hectares of natural forests. The forests comprise large areas of hardwood trees including sandalwood and kauri. The rain forests cover much of the large islands owned by the local clans.
 |
| Red Shining Parrot |
These forests are used by multinationals and locals for growing trees and vegetation that have medicinal value.
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| Iguana Of Fiji |
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| Fauna Of Fiji |
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