Fiji is the gateway to Melanesia and a buffer zone historically and
ethnically, between Melanesian and Polynesian people, the original
settlers of the islands. It was discovered by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman
in 1643 and once had the fearsome title of 'Cannibal Isles' bestowed on
it by early voyagers.
Today
Fiji's gleaming white beaches and azure lagoons make its 322 islands
some of the most popular South Pacific holiday destinations.
Fiji's two
largest islands are extinct volcanoes - Viti Levu where the capital Suva
is based, and Vanua Levu. High mountainous blocks, deep valleys, lush
rainforests and thousands of streams and rivers typify the diverse
landforms on some of the bigger islands. Many of the smaller islands
however are only atolls that barely rise above sea level.
Fiji is
inhabited by a rich blend of cultures that include Indians, Chinese,
Europeans, Polynesians and Micronesians. The thriving Indian population
is descended from indentured labourers brought to Fiji from India after
Fiji was ceded to Britain as a colony in 1874.
Their numbers grew so dramatically from then
on that by World War II, indigenous Fijians
were outnumbered by Indian Fijians. In the
last decade however, the population ratio
has shifted. In the 1996
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Letele, Roshni, Sham, Teleiai Su’a
Edwin, Ruta & Olo Elise on arrival at Faleolo Airport. |
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