Fiji is an island nation located in the South Pacific approximately 3,100 km or 1,900 miles northeast of Sydney, Australia.

Fiji consists of more the 330 islands of which about 100 are inhabited.  Fiji’s land area covers more than 18,300 sq/km or 7,000 sq/miles.  Fiji’s two largest islands Viti Levu  and Vanua Levu, comprise more than 85 percent of the total area. Other major islands are Taveuni, Kadavu, and Koro. The Yasawa Group lies to the west of these major islands, and the Lau Group is to the east. 

The Fijian climate is tropical.  The average annual temperature is 25C (77F). November  to April are the hottest months, with daily highs of 32C (90F). The rainy season coincides with the hottest months.

The population of Fiji is approximately  850,000. Some 50 percent of Fiji’s population is rural, with most people living in villages of less than 600 people.  Fiji’s population is ethnically and culturally mixed. The Fijians, who make up just over 50% of the population, belong to the Melanesian ethnic group. However, the Fijian culture is more closely related to that of the Polynesians. Indians, whose ancestors were brought to Fiji by the British between 1879 and 1916 to work on British plantations in Fiji, comprise about 45 percent of the population. The remainder consists of Europeans, Chinese, other Pacific Islanders, and people of mixed ethnicity. English is the official language and nearly everyone can speak it. 

Fijian village protocol do’s and don’ts

Do’s:

• Take a sevusevu of yaqona, about $10.00 worth when visiting a village
• Speak softly
• Remove your shoes before entering a house
• Be respectful
• Dress modestly
• Cover your shoulders and knees, T-shirt and sulu works well
• Say bula to everyone, Indians included
• Drink at least one bowl of Kava if offered
  

 

Don't

 

• Wear hats or sunglasses in the village
• Touch anyone’s head
• Sit with your legs outstretched
• Yell in the village