Hexagon Group of Hotels abut Fiji Islands

About Fiji Islands

The Fiji Islands is an independent nation, officially known as The Sovereign Democratic Republic of the Fiji Islands consists of an archipelago surrounding the Koro Sea in the South Pacific Ocean, between longitudes 175° East and 178° West and latitudes 15° and 22° South. It is about 2,100 kilometers north of Auckland, N.Z. It forms part of the Melanesian cultural area. The archipelago consists of some 332 islands scattered over about 3,000,000 square kilometers is at the cross roads of the South Pacific. In the days of sailing ships it was known as The Cannibal Isles and carefully avoided by mariners because of its fierce warriors and treacherous waters.However, in the age of jumbo jets and global travel. Fiji has become the central hub of the exotic South Pacific. More than 85 flights land at Nadi on the main island of Viti levu every week. From there it is only a quick seven minute hop to one of the offshore island resorts, or less than an hour of flying time to Vanua Levu or Taveuni, the second and third largest islands, where then outside world is quickly left behind. Of the 330 islands, about 100 are inhabited. The total land area is 18,333 square kilometers. The capital, Suva, is on the southeast coast of the largest island, Viti Levu ("Big Fiji"). Fiji includes within its borders Rotuma, an island of 18 square miles located about 650 kilometers north-northwest of Suva; Rotuma has a Polynesian population and was administered from the Fiji Islands in colonial times. The 1996 population census recorded 775,077 persons. Based on a submerged platform of ancient formation, the Fiji Islands are largely the product of volcanic action, sedimentary deposit, and formations of coral. Viti Levu, the largest island, has an area of about 10,429 square kilometers and accounts for more than half of the Fiji Islands' land. A rugged dividing range, the Nakauvadra, running from north to south has several peaks above 914 metres (3,000 feet), the highest being Mount Tomanivi (formerly Mount Victoria) at 1322 metres (4,341 feet). The main river systems the Rewa, Navua, Sigatoka, and Ba all have their source in the central mountain area. To the southeast and southwest, and to the south where the range divides, the mountains give way to plateaus, then lowlands. The coastal plains in the west, northwest, and southeast account for only 15 percent of Viti Levu's area but are the main centres of agriculture and settlement. Vanua Levu ("Big Land"), the second largest island, has an area of about 5,556 square kilometers. It is divided along its length by a mountain range with peaks rising to more than 3,000 feet. On the island's northern coast, away from the mouth of the Dreketi River, the coastal plains are narrow. Most of the other islands, including the Lomaiviti, Lau, and Yasawa groups, are volcanic in origin, but, like the major islands, they are bounded by coral reefs, offshore rocks, and shoals that make the Koro Sea hazardous for navigation. Other main islands are Taveuni (470 sq km), Kadavu (411 sq km), Gau (140 sq km), and Koro (104 sq km). The Fiji Islands enjoys a tropical South Sea maritime climate without great extremes of temperature. At the capital Suva, the average summer high temperature is 29 C and the average winter low is 20 C; temperatures typically are lower in elevated inland areas. All districts receive the greatest amount of rainfall in the season from November through March, during which time hurricanes are also experienced perhaps once every two years. While rainfall is highly variable, the average rainfall increases steadily inland from coastal areas. It is reduced in the east of the larger islands from April to October, giving an annual average of 120 inches (3,050 millimetres) per year, it virtually ceases in the west, to give an annual rainfall of 70 inches. This makes a sharp contrast in both climatic conditions and agriculture between east and west. Tropical cyclones affect the group every few years.
Economy
The economy has traditionally been largely dependent on the production and export of sugar. However, with the advent of Tourism in the 1960's and the government's commitment to encourage growth, the dominance of the sugar industry in the economy had decreased. In 1998, for instance, Fiji's sugar exports were valued at $244.2 million compared to tourism exports of $568 million. Visitor arrivals reached a record 366,711 while visitors spent an average of 8.5 days in Fiji. The reported hotel turnover was a record $2380.0 million in 1997, an increase of almost $20 million compared to 1996, and the number of rooms sold increased by 4.6% in 1997 compared to the previous year. The manufacture and export of garments under the government's taxation concessions and incentives for investment also produces substantial earnings for the economy (F$300 million in 1999) while other major exports includes unrefined gold, timber and coconut oil. The economy is largely based on private enterprise, with government ownership of service utilities, the national airline Air Pacific, Fiji Post & Telecommunications Limited and the Fiji Sugar Corporation Limited which mills all the country's sugar. As mentioned earlier, the government with various taxation concessions has encouraged manufacturing which is exporting oriented. Apart from export orientated industries such as garments and footwear manufacturing also includes concrete, cement and other building materials for domestic and regional use, furniture, foods including alcoholic drinks, processed timber for export and household products to name some of the main items. The government has significantly deregulated the economy, has restrained government expenditure and is in the process of reforming the taxation system. The emphasis by government is to put the country's resources to efficient domestic production and export oriented production rather than inefficient production for local markets. As a result, many import and fiscal duties have been significantly reduced.
Business
The majority of the larger commercial and industrial organizations in Fiji are subsidiaries of Australia, New Zealand and, to a lesser extent, other overseas companies. There is, however, a significant and increasing business sector made up of businesses owned by Fiji nationals. Joint ventures between Fiji nationals and foreign investors are being encouraged by the government and are gaining popularity. Fiji has a labor force which is adaptable, disciplined, and English speaking and readily available. The total labor force in 1996 was estimated at 301,500. However, when shortages in middle and top management personnel are experienced, expatriates with appropriate qualifications generally have no difficulty in obtaining work permits to fill these positions. It should be noted that the government requires all expatriates to obtain work permits for any employment in Fiji. For investors and industrialists, Fiji is an attractive venue for investment as can be noted by a considerable increase in the number of new industries besides the expansion of existing ones. Products manufactured have been intended for both local consumption and export. These include aluminum products, agricultural equipment, boats, beverages, food, building materials, industrial furniture and hardware, cement, cigarettes, concrete products, footwear, handicraft, clothing, textiles, plastic, plywood, packaging materials, soap products, tea packaging, wood products and wrought iron products. Fiji being a viable venue for investment can be largely accounted for by the unique blend of advantages the country offers to both local and foreign investors: favorable environmental, economic and social circumstances and the continuing application of the free enterprise philosophy; well developed economic infrastructure, good international air and sea links and telecommunications, and adaptable, efficient, English speaking workforce. These advantages are reinforced by incentives, which include tax and import duty concessions, accelerated depreciation allowances, tax rebates on export profits and easy repatriation of profits and capital. To enhance and stimulate investment activities further, Government introduced the Tax Free Zone/Tax Free Factory (TFZ/TFF) scheme in 1988. The salient incentive of this concept is a 13-year tax holiday on corporate profits and no import duty on plant, machinery equipment and raw materials for 13 years. This scheme expires in December 2000. A new investment incentive package has been announced and is in place effective from the 1st January 2001. The market access under preferential trade agreements to millions of affluent consumers, coupled with a multitude of advantages and incentives, clearly indicate that Fiji is a safe and profitable venue for industrialists contemplating expansion of their manufacturing and other activities beyond their shores. Fiji's hundreds of sun-shocked islands, tropical climate, friendly people, and wide range of services, are draw cards for the growing development of the tourism, and the number of holiday and business visitors to the country. In short, Fiji is definitely a pleasant place in which to live, work and do business.
Land
Almost half of The Fiji Islands' total area remains in forest, while dry grasslands are found in western areas of the large islands. Only 16 percent of The Fiji Islands' land mass is suitable for agriculture and are found mainly along the coastal plains, river deltas, and valleys. Coconut palms are common in coastal areas, and almost all tropical fruits and vegetables can be grown. Much of the shoreline is composed of reefs and rocks, while mangrove swamps are found on eastern coasts. There are few white-sand swimming beaches and, because of the encircling reef, little surf. While the indigenous Fijian people are usually classified as Melanesian; their social and political organization is closer to that of Polynesia. They are larger in stature than Melanesians from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, or New Guinea and there has been a high level of intermarriage between Fijians from the Lau Islands of the eastern Fiji Islands and the neighbouring Polynesian islands of Tonga. Almost all indigenous Fijians are Christian, mostly Methodist and Roman Catholic.
Language
English is the official language. The widely used Fijian language has many dialects; the one most commonly used is known as Bauan family and comes from Bau, the district that enjoyed political supremacy at the advent of colonial rule. Indians too have their own, and generally speak a distinctive Fiji-Hindi (Hindustani) dialect. Most people speak at least two languages, including English and the language of their own racial community.
People
There is very little intermarriage between racial communities. The relative proportions of Fijians and Indians in the population have been changing in recent years. This is because the Fijian birth rate is higher than the Indian and because of the accelerating outward migration of Indians, especially to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand after the coup d'état of 1987 resulted in the reemergence of a Fijian majority. While Suva has a very mixed population, the sugar regions of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu have predominantly Indian populations. On the smaller islands, and in less-developed rural areas of the larger islands, Fijians live in traditional villages. The two largest urban centres are on Viti Levu: Suva, in the southeast, which has just over one-fifth of the total population, and Lautoka in the northwest, which is the centre of the sugar industry and has a major port. Labasa on Vanua Levu is a centre for administration, services, and sugar production. Fiji's mixed racial background contributes to a rich cultural heritage. Many features of traditional Fijian life survive; they are most evident in the elaborate investiture, marriage, and other ceremonies for high-ranking chiefs. These ceremonies provide a focus for the practicing of traditional crafts, such as the manufacture of masi, or tapa cloth, made from the bark of the paper mulberry; mat weaving; wood carving; and canoe making. Drinking of yagona/yaqona (kava, made from the root of Piper Methysticum) is a part not only of important ceremonies but also of everyday life. Displays of "traditional" Fijian culture, music, and dancing make an important contribution to tourism; model villages and handicraft markets are popular. Many Indian women continue to wear the sari together with traditional jewelry in gold and silver. Traditional marriage ceremonies are practiced, as are customs such as fire walking and ritual self-torture as part of important religious ceremonies. Cinemas showing imported Indian films are popular. Diwali, the Hindu Festival of the Lights, is celebrated every October and is a public holiday.
Government
Fiji was a dominion, a member of the Commonwealth, and a parliamentary democracy, acknowledging the British sovereign, through a governor-general, as head of state until the coup d'état of May 1987. Tthe Fiji Islands officially left the Commonwealth and became a republic in October 1987. The coup leader, then Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, appointed a civilian government headed by a president with a largely ceremonial role. The government was composed of a Prime Minister and cabinet of appointed members, almost all of whom were ethnic Fijians. On July 25, 1990, a new constitution, which concentrated power in the hands of Fijians, was promulgated. Membership in the House of Representatives was raised from 52 to 70, with 37 of the seats reserved for Fijians, 27 for Indians, five for other races, and one for Rotumans. The seats were filled by communal (ethnic) roll. Membership in the Senate was increased from 24 to 34, with 24 of the seats reserved for Fijians, nine for Indians and other races, and one for Rotumans. The constitution also stipulated that the Prime Minister must be a Fijian.The constitution was amended in July 1997, placing great emphasis on fundamental rights, freedoms and representation. It also conforms to all of the major United Nations instruments relating to land rights, customs, traditions and cultural inheritance. The executive authority is vested in the President who is appointed by the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs). The parliament has an elected House of Representatives and a nominated Upper House or Senate. The Prime Minister now may be from any ethnicity. The House of Representative now will comprise 71 members, with 25 open seats, and 46 communal seats: 23 for Fijians, 19 for Indians, 1 Rotuman, and 3 Others. The Senate will consist of 32 members appointed by the President of whom: 14 are appointed on advice of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga, 9 on advice of the Prime Minister, 8 on advice of the Leader of the Opposition, and 1 on advice of the Council of Rotuma. One reason why Fiji is such a popular destination for English speaking travellers is that there is no need to learn another language. The majority of Fijians speak English and all of the signage and official documentation is in English. However, it is important to remember that English is not the native language of local Fijians, there are two languages spoken, Fijian and Fijian Hindi. To gain a better rapport with the local people it is always a good idea to try and communicate in their own language. You will find most Fijians very supportive and offer you encouragement.
In Brief
Official name: Sovereign Democratic Republic of the Fiji Islands Form of government: Republic with two legislative houses (House of Representatives, Senate) Head of State: Presidentv Head of government: Prime Minister Capital: Suva Official language: English Currency: Fiji Dollar [US$1=F$2 Dec 1998 (approx)] Land area: 18,333 square kilometres, 332 islands Time: 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) 13 hours ahead of GMT during Daylight Saving Time (FJDST)	Population (1996): 775,077. Fijians (50.8%), Indians (43.7%), Others (5.5%) Urban-rural (1996): Urban 46.4%; Rural 53.6% Sex distribution (1996): Female (49.2%); Male (50.8%) Age breakdown (1996): Under 15 (35.3%); 15-29 (27.4%); 30-44 (20.7%); 45-59 (11.5%) ; 60-74 (4.2%); 75+ (0.9% Growth: 0.8% per year Religions: Christians 52.9%, Hindu 38.1%, Muslim 7.8%, Sikh 0.7%, Other 0.5% Major cities/towns: Suva 167,975; Lautoka 43,274; Nadi 30,884; Labasa 24,095; Nausori 21,617 Labour force (1996): 301,500
The Fiji national Coat of Arms consists of the images of two Fijian warriors on either side of a shield and the motto "Rerevaka na Kalou ka Doka na Tui" below the shield. The words in the motto mean "Fear God and honour the Queen." The shield from the coat of arms has the image of a heraldic lion holding a cocoa pod across the top. Sugarcane, a coconut palm and bunch of bananas are represented in three of the sheilds sections.These signify the agricultural produce grown in Fiji. The fourth contains the reproduction of a dove of peace, the main feature, of the Cakobau Government's flag before cession.