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(opens in new window) 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). A 1990 constitution
favored native Melanesian control of Fiji, but led to heavy Indian
emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but
ensured that Melanesians became the majority. Amendments enacted in 1997
made the constitution more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999
resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a 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
and gave a mandate to the government of Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. 18 00 S, 175 00 E Oceania total: 18,270
sq km measured from claimed archipelagic
straight baselines tropical marine; only slight seasonal
temperature variation mostly mountains of volcanic origin
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil
potential, hydropower arable land:
10.95% 30 sq km (1998 est.) cyclonic storms can occur from November to
January deforestation; soil erosion includes 332 islands of which
approximately 110 are inhabited 880,874 (July 2004 est.) total: 24
years 1.41% (2004 est.) 22.91 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
5.68 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
-3.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004
est.) republic Suva (Viti Levu) 10 October 1970 (from UK) Independence Day, second Monday of October
(1970) promulgated on 25 July 1990 and amended on
25 July 1997 to allow nonethnic Fijians greater say in government and to
make multiparty government mandatory; entered into force 28 July 1998; note
- the May 1999 election was the first test of the amended constitution and
introduced open voting - not racially prescribed - for the first time at the
national level based on British system Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and
fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island
economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports and a
growing tourist industry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are
the major sources of foreign exchange. Sugar processing makes up one-third
of industrial activity. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain
land ownership rights, and the government's ability to manage its budget.
Yet short-run economic prospects are good, provided tensions do not again
erupt between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians. 137,000 (1999) agriculture, including subsistence
agriculture 70% (2001 est.) 7.6% (1999) sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca),
rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish
tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold,
silver, lumber, small cottage industries sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish,
molasses, coconut oil US 23.5%, Australia 19.3%, UK 13.5%, Samoa
6%, Japan 4.7% (2003 est.) manufactured goods, machinery and
transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals Australia 35%, Singapore 19.2%, New
Zealand 17.1%, Japan 4.8% (2003 est.) $40.3 million (1995) Fijian dollar (FJD) calendar year 102,000 (2003) 109,900 (2003) total: 597 km
total: 3,440
km 203 km Lambasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Malau, Savusavu,
Suva, Vuda total: 2
ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,372 GRT/7,453 DWT 28 (2003 est.) total: 3 total: 25 Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF):
Land Forces, Naval Division |
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