Generic Information
The Republic of the Fiji Islands is a Pacific Island Country (PIC) with a population of close to a million people; and is located about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. The country is composed of 332 islands, many of which are large and have high elevation. Most of the population, however, live near the coasts, making sea-level rise an important risk. In addition, the Fijian economy is heavily dependent on the sugar and tourism industries, both of which are susceptible to climate change. Adaptation planning is underway in Fiji.
The two main islands are Viti Levu, where the capital city of Suva is located, and Vanua Levu. Other main islands are Taveuni (470 km²), Kadavu (411 km²), Gau (140 km²) and Koro (104 km²). The second city in Fiji is Lautoka.
Fiji has one of the largest economies in the region, is one of the PICs least dependent on foreign aid, and generating income through tourism, sugar and exports of natural resources. Fiji is a multi-ethnic, multi-faith society, influenced by Pacific, Indian, European and Asian traditions.
The Republic of the Fiji Islands lies wholly within the southern tropics. The area included within Fiji's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is 1,163,272 km² with only 18,274 km² of land. Only 16% of this landmass is suitable for agriculture and is found mainly along the coastal plains, river deltas, and valleys.
The combination of the prevailing south-easterly trade winds and these mountain ranges result in a distinct dry western side climate suited for sugar cane cultivation and a distinctive wet and humid eastern climate experienced in Suva, the capital city.
Demographics
Fiji's 2022 estimated population is 907,216 of which 51% are indigenous Fijians, 44% are Indo-Fijians, with the balance being Europeans, Chinese, Rotumans and other Pacific Islanders. Most of Fiji's population live on Viti Levu's coasts, either in Suva or in smaller urban centers. The interior of Viti Levu is sparsely populated due to its rough terrain.
Governance Divisional Areas
There are four Divisional areas in Fiji with 14 provinces.
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Central Division has five provinces: Naitasiri, Namosi, Rewa, Serua, and Tailevu.
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Eastern Division has three provinces: Kadavu, Lau, and Lomaiviti.
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Northern Division has three provinces: Bua, Cakaudrove, and Macuata.
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Western Division has three provinces: Ba, Nadroga-Navosa, and Ra.
Foreign Relations: Fiji has traditionally had close relations with its major trading partners Australia and New Zealand. Fiji has also pursued closer relations with a number of Asian countries, including the People's Republic of China, Indonesia, and India.
A disaster-prone country
Fiji is second only to Papua New Guinea as the PIC having been most affected by natural disasters since 1990.
The social and economic implications of climatological and hydrological risks are considerable across all primary production sectors, especially agriculture. Floods and droughts can disrupt agricultural production for domestic and export activities and landslides can cut roads and disrupt communications and access. Cyclonic events are a threat to settlements, infrastructure, tourist facilities and the population that is located on the coastal fringe of the high islands and on the low islands.
The current key hazards and risks of most concern to Fiji are products of cyclonic and geological-forcing activity. Fiji is in the tropical cyclone belt and one cyclone on average passes through Fijian waters each year. Cyclones cause loss of lives and property, coastal and riverine flooding, as well as damages to agricultural and tree crops from high winds. They have severe consequences for the nation’s economy. TC Winston in 2016 affected about half of the whole Fiji population and the losses resulting from it were estimated to reduce economic growth by 2.5 % relative to the 2016 pre-cyclone forecast.
Fiji’s location on the Pacific “ring of fire” puts it at risk from geological hazards, in particular earthquakes and locally generated tsunamis. The last major destructive earthquake and tsunami was registered in 1953. The threat from volcanic eruptions is rather low with their primary effects on the maritime sector limited to the impact of large pumice rafts from sub-marine eruptions to the east of Fiji.
Drought, which affects coastal and upland areas, is another outcome of a climatic condition. Since 1978, several droughts have had a major impact on the economic productivity and subsistence livelihoods across the country. The threats can become significantly higher due to a longer-range climate change.
Generic country information can be located from sources, which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For a generic country overview, please consult the following sources:
Fiji Wikipedia Country Information https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiji
Fiji IMF Country Information mf.org/en/Countries/FJI
Fiji Economist Intelligence Unit Information* http://country.eiu.com/Fiji
(*note - this is a paid service)
Facts and Figures
Fiji Wolfram Alpha Information https://www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=Fiji
Fiji World Bank Information https://data.worldbank.org/country/fiji?view=chart
Fiji Population Information https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/fiji-population
