REPUBLIC OF FIJI

Flag

Coat of arms

Introduction

Island country located in South Pacific Ocean

Became independent in 1970 after nearly a century

as a British colony

Suva - Capital of Fiji as well as the largest city

Currency of Fiji Fijian Dollar (FJD)

Official language English. Fijian and Hindi also

spoken

History

First settlers arrived around 1500 B.C.

Settled by Melanesians and Polynesians

Became a sovereign and independent state within

Commonwealth in 1970

Became a republic in 1987 after a series of coups

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Geography

Archipelago of more than 330 islands

Natural resources include timber, fish, gold and

hydropower

Islands Viti Levu & Vanua Levu account for of

countrys land area

Warm tropical climate for most of the year

Sugarcane industry contributes prominently to the

GDP

Economy

Subsistence economy but still among the most

developed economies in the Pacific

Economy dominated by agriculture, mining, fishing,

tourism and sugar industry

Inflation rate recorded at 5.3% as of June 2016

GDP Nominal : Total - $4.96 billion

$5,550

GDP (PPP) :
$9,314

Total - $8.33 billion

Per Capita Per Capita -

Labor and Trade

Labor force estimated at 344739 as of 2010

Women make up for 32.4% of total labor force

Fiji runs a large trade deficit

Imports - foodstuffs, machinery, mineral fuels,

beverages, tobacco, and manufactured goods

Clothing and sugar dominate the exports

Foreign relations & military

Leader in South Pacific region

Commonwealth republic

Strained foreign relations with Australia, New Zealand,

China

Cordial relations with Japan, Republic of Korea and India

3500 active personnel, 6000 reservists in Armed forces.

3200 in Army, 300 in Navy.

Defence budget - $96.4 million

Population

Total Population 909,389 as of a 2015 estimate

Median age of the Fiji population is around 24.6 years

HDI index 0.727 as of 2015

Ethnic groups Fijian, Fijian Indian, Euronesians,

Rotumans, Europeans and Chinese

Primary education free for 8 years

High health standards but not closely monitored

Culture & Lifestyle

Multicultural and multiracial country

Festivals and holidays Fiji Day, Diwali, Christmas,

Prophet Mohammeds Birthday, Good Friday

Rugby, soccer and cricket most popular sports

Sulu the national dress of Fiji

Thank You!