The Republic of Fiji in Melanesia consists of 332 islands and more than 500 small islets that are located in the Pacific Ocean. Most of the islands in the archipelago were formed as a result of volcanic activity that began about 150 million years ago. Only a third, more precisely 106 islands of Fiji, are now permanently inhabited. It’s hard to imagine, but 250 years ago expeditions did not risk approaching wild coasts due to the traditions of cannibalism. Today it is a popular tourist destination, where, along with fantastic beaches, mountain valleys and ancient settlements, you will find an advanced civilization and the well-known hospitality of the Fijians.
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Where is Fiji Island
Fiji's islands, largely of volcanic origin, are located in the southern hemisphere , namely in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Fiji is separated from New Zealand from the south by 1800 km, and from Australia from the west by about 3000 km. The closest archipelagos are Futuna, Tonga and Vanuatu .
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General information about the Fiji Islands
- Area: 18,274 km².
- Population: about 950 thousand.
- Capital: Suva .
- Large islands: Viti Levu, Vanua Levu.
- Languages: English, Fijian (Bau).
- Religion: Christianity, Judaism, Islam.
- All the islands are concentrated around the Koro Inland Sea , forming a kind of horseshoe. This shape indicates the volcanic origin of the archipelago.
- The islands are divided into four districts - Northern, Eastern, Western and Central, which are formed from 14 provinces. The island of Rotuma has a separate status of partial autonomy .
- For more than 100 years (until 1970), Fiji was a British colony.
- Fiji includes two large islands - Viti Levu and Vanua Levu , which make up 87% of the total area.
- The main island of Viti Levu is home to 70% of Fiji's total population (about 840 thousand people).
- The largest and most developed cities are Suva , Nadi and Lautoka , as well as the international airport, located on Viti Levu .
- The most remote archipelago within Fiji is Ono-i-Lau .
- The highest peak, Tomanivi (1324 meters above sea level) on Viti Levu , is an ancient extinct volcano.
- Most of Fiji's total area is covered by forests.
Fiji has a mix of indigenous Fijian , Indo-Fijian , Asian and European traditions, which is reflected in its architecture, food, traditions and celebrations. The islands have one of the most developed economies of all Pacific countries, thanks primarily to abundant marine and forest resources. A large share is also given to the export of sugar cane and tourism, which has been developing successfully in recent years. Stunning tropical nature, excellent weather conditions and, of course, the exotic islands make Fiji more and more popular.
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How to get to Fiji
Despite the fact that the scattering of Pacific islands is considered a territory remote from the main continents, communication with Fiji is established at a sufficient level.
By plane . About 1.2 million international flights pass through Nadi Airport every year. It is one of the main tourist hubs of the South Pacific. Fiji also has a second international air hub, Nausori Airport in Suva , but Nadi receives the bulk of external traffic.
Direct flights to Fiji are available from Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Vanuatu , New Caledonia, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Kiribati , Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna , USA and South Korea. Most connecting flights can be made in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Hawaii.
The following airlines offer direct flights to Fiji :
- Fiji Airways
- Air New Zealand
- Air Vanuatu
- Aircalin
- Qantas
- Virgin Australia
- Jetstar
- Nauru Airlines
- Korean Air
- Solomon Airlines
On a cruise ship . Fiji is included on several South Pacific cruises from Australia, New Zealand and French Polynesia. Fiji has five ports of call for liners, the main ones being Suva , Lautoka and Port Denarau .
Some ships operating cruises to Fiji :
- Celebrity Cruises
- P&O Australia
- Royal Caribbean
- Princess Cruises
- Carnival Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Holland America Line
- Windstar Cruises
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Paul Gauguin Cruises
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