Page 20 - Melanesia

R atu Seru Epenisa Cakobau was a Fijian Dominion of Fiji to Republic of Fiji and then and Lautoka, Fiji’s second city with large sug-
chief and warlord from the island of Bau, in 1997 to Republic of the Fiji Islands. The ar cane mills and a seaport. Fiji’s attraction is

off the eastern coast of Viti Levu, who united two coups and the accompanying civil unrest primarily its white sandy beaches and post-

part of Fiji’s warring tribes under his leader- contributed to heavy Indo-Fijian emigration; card perfect islands with all-year-round tropi-

ship. He then styled himself as Tui Viti or King the and a resulting population loss. cal weather. In general Fiji is a mid-range

of Fiji, and then Vunivalu, or Protector, after priced holiday/vacation destination with
the cession of Fiji to the United Kingdom. most of the accommodations in this range. It
or a country of its size, Fiji has fairly also has a variety of world class 5-star resorts
FThe British subjugated the islands as a colony large armed forces, and has been a major

in 1874, and the British brought over Indian contributor to UN peacekeeping missions in and hotels. More budget resorts are being

contract laborers to work on the sugar plan- various parts of the world. The population of opened in remote areas, which will provide

tations. In 1875–76, an epidemic of measles Fiji is mostly made up of native Fijians, who more tourism opportunities.

killed over 40,000 Fijians, about one-third of are Melanesians (54.3%), although many also F iji has several popular tourism destina-
the Fijian population. The population in 1942 have Polynesian ancestry, and Indo-Fijians tions. The Botanical Gardens of Thursten
was approximately 210,000 of whom 94,000 (38.1%), descendants of Indian contract

were Indians, 102,000 native Fijians. laborers brought to the islands by the British in Suva, Sigatoka Sand Dunes, and Colo-I-

T he British granted Fiji independence in colonial powers in the 19th century. Suva Forest Park are three options on the
1970. Democratic rule was interrupted mainland (Viti Levu). A big attraction on the
by two military coups in 1987 precipitated by T he islands are mountainous, with peaks outer islands is scuba diving. Rugby Union
up to 1,324 metres (4,341 ft), and cov- is the most-popular team sport played in

a growing perception that the government ered with thick tropical forests. The highest Fiji. The national rugby union team is very

was dominated by the Indo-Fijian (Indian) point is Mount Tomanivi on Viti Levu. Viti successful given the size of the population of

community. The second 1987 coup saw both Levu hosts the capital city of Suva, and is the country, and has competed at five Rugby

the Fijian monarchy and the Governor Gen- home to nearly three-quarters of the popula- World Cup competitions, the first being in

eral replaced by a non-executive president tion. Other important towns include Nadi 1987, where they reached the quarter-finals.

and the name of the country changed from (the location of the international airport),