This overview of Fiji highlights in detail, the country’s geography; climate; people; citizenship; Government; justice, health and education systems; sports, recreation and culture.

GEOGRAPHY

Fiji lies in the heart of the Pacific Ocean midway between the Equator and the South Pole and between the longitudes 174^o East and 178^o West of Greenwich and latitudes 12^o  S and 22^o south.  Fiji's Exclusive Economic Zone contains approximately 330 islands of which about a third are inhabited.  It covers about 1.3 million square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean.  Fiji's total land area is 18,333 square kilometers.  There are two major islands - Viti Levu which is 10,429 square kilometers and Vanua Levu which is 5,535 square kilometers.  Other main islands are Taveuni (470 sq km), Kadavu (411 sq km).  87.9% of land is owned by indigenous fijians while 3.9% is State land.  Freehold land comprises 7.9% and Rotuman land is 0.3%.  The Capital is Suva and it is one of the two cities in Fiji.  The other city is Lautoka and both are located on the island of Viti Levu.

CLIMATE

Fiji enjoys a tropical South Sea maritime climate without great extremes of heat or cold. The islands lie in area, which is occasionally traversed by tropical cyclones, and mostly confined between the months of November to April every year. At all seasons the predominant winds over Fiji are the Trade Winds from the east to south-east. On the western and eastern sides of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu however, day time breezes blow in across the coast. In general, the winds over Fiji are light to moderate, the most persistent being in the period July-December. Temperatures average 22°celsius (72°F) for the cooler monthsof May to October while during November to April, temperatures are higher with heavy downpours. Although rainfall is highly variable, the average rainfall increases steadily inland from coastal areas. It usually increases between December to April, especially over the larger islands, but in May to October it is often deficient, particularly in the dry zone on the western and northern sides of the main islands.

POPULATION

The estimated population of Fiji as in 2007, stood at 837,271. Of the total 475,739 were Fijians, 313,798 were Indians and 47,734 were others. During the 1996-2007 intercensal period, Fijian population increased by 82,164 persons or at an average rate of 1.7 percent per year (compared to 1.8 percent per year during the previous 1986-1996 intercensal period).  During the 1996-2007 intercensal period, the indian population continued to decrease.  The decrease of 25,020 persons implies an average intercensal rate of decrease of -0.7 percent per year (compared to -.03 percent during the previous 1986-1996 intercensal period). 

The annual average growth rate between the Censuses was 0.7%.

Fiji Bureau of Statistics has up-to-date data on the latest census report carried out in 2007 - www.statsfiji.gov.fj

CITIZENSHIP

Fiji does not recognize dual citizenship. A person may acquire citizenship of Fiji by birth, naturalization or registration. One of the main provisions under the new citizenship laws is the equal opportunities and privileges given to foreigners who are married to either male or female Fiji citizens in acquiring citizenship of Fiji. Applications can be lodged at any Immigration Office.

GOVERNMENT, EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND CONSTITUTION

Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony.

Under the Fiji Constitution, the President (head of state) is appointed for a 5-year term by the Great Council of Chiefs, a traditional ethnic Fijian leadership body. The President in turn appoints the Prime Minister (head of government) and cabinet from among the members of Parliament. The Prime Minister must have the support of the House of Representatives in order for his government to enact legislation. Both houses of the legislature have some seats reserved by ethnicity. Other seats can be filled by persons of any ethnic group. The House of Representatives is elected; the Senate is appointed.

Fiji maintains a judiciary consisting of a Supreme Court, a Court of Appeals, a High Court, and magistrate courts.

There are four administrative divisions--central, eastern, northern, and western--each under the charge of a Divisional Commissioner. Ethnic Fijians have their own administration in which councils preside over a hierarchy of provinces, districts, and villages. The 14 provincial councils deal with all matters affecting ethnic Fijians. There is also a Rotuma Island Council for the island of Rotuma.

The Great Council of Chiefs (Bose Levu Vakaturaga) is made up of 55 hereditary chiefs, most of whom are nominated to the Council by their respective provincial councils. It is established under the Fijian Affairs Act and recognized by the constitution. The interim government promulgated regulations in February 2008 concerning membership in the Great Council of Chiefs that are being challenged in Fiji's courts.  In January 2007 Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama was appointed Prime Minister in the Interim Government of Fiji.

Fiji has traditionally had close relations with its major trading partners Australia and New Zealand. Fiji has pursued closer relations with a number of Asian countries, including the People's Republic of China and India.

Since independence, Fiji has been a leader in the South Pacific region. Fiji hosts the secretariat of the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum, as well as a number of other prestigious regional organizations. In 2002, Fiji hosted the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Summit with more than 80 countries represented. During the ACP Summit, the Nadi Declaration was adopted regarding economic cooperation with the European Union. In July 2003, Fiji hosted the South Pacific Games, a prestigious event that went far beyond athletics and symbolized the country's return to normalcy. In September 2005, Fiji hosted the 51st Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference. Fiji became the 127th member of the United Nations on October 13, 1970, and participates actively in the organization. Fiji's contributions to UN peacekeeping are unique for a nation of its size. It maintains about 600 soldiers and police overseas in UN peacekeeping missions, primarily in Iraq, and with MFO Sinai in the Middle East. Fiji also has a number of private citizens working in Iraq and Kuwait, mostly in security services and over 1500 citizens serving in the British Army.

JUDICIARY

The Constitution guarantees the independence of the judiciary by placing the appointment of judges in the hands of the President after consultation with the independent Judicial and Legal Services Commission. Members of the judiciary cannot be removed except under a system of checks and balances. The Constitution allows for three courts: the High Court, Fiji Court of
Appeal and the Supreme Court - all independent of the executive or any other authority and the subordinate courts.

The Magistrates' Courts exercise both limited civil and criminal jurisdiction within the limits of the Division within which they are situated. Their jurisdiction also extends to territorial waters adjacent to the Division. The distribution of business between Magistrates' Courts within a Division is subject to the direction of the Chief Justice. At the present time, there is a Chief Magistrate and 14 resident magistrates centred in the main towns. In 1991, the Small Claims Tribunal Decree was enacted by legislation to transfer the resolution of small claims from the Magistrates Courts to the newly created Small Claims Tribunal.

Under the Decree, the Tribunals are divisions of the Magistrates' Courts. The Tribunal has jurisdiction in respect of any claim which does not exceed $2000 in value and such other jurisdiction as conferred upon it by any other law. The High Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine any question relating to protection of fundamental rights and freedom of individual. It has unlimited original jurisdiction to hear and determine any civil or criminal proceedings. It also has unlimited powers to hear and determine appeals in both criminal and civil matters from courts subordinate to it. The Fiji Court of Appeal, however, hears appeals generally from any person convicted of any offence from the High Court. The final appellate court is the Supreme Court and under the Constitution, it determines any appeal from a final decision or order of the Fiji Court of Appeal. It also has powers to review, modify, reverse or affirm such decisions or orders and make such other orders, it sees necessary in the interest of justice.

EDUCATION

About a quarter of the entire population is of school-going age and although education is not compulsory at any stage, over 98%  of children between 6 and 14 years of age is
attending schools. In 1996 about 70% of the population had already received some secondary education (74% Fijians and 66% Indians). Nearly all children 6-8 years of age were enrolled in schools. In the same year, the literacy rate was 92.9%) and was higher among Fijians (92.9%) than among Indians (89 percent). The rate was higher among males (94%) than among females (91% ).

Government also encourages school attendance by rural and poor children through measures like the free tuition scheme for primary and secondary schools, per capita grants and remission of fees for secondary students. The number of registered/recognised schools totaled 1404 in 2003. Of this number there were 569 pre-schools, 17 special schools, 712 primary schools, 157 secondary schools, 4 teacher training colleges and 63 vocational centres. The primary teachers’ establishment in 2003 was 5129 and the number of civil servant teachers in secondary schools was 2419. A total of 70,616 students were enrolled
in secondary schools in 2003 - 68,178 in straight classes i.e. in forms 1 to 7 and 2,429 in vocational courses. A total of 7,016 students attended as boarders in 56 boarding schools. There is a high degree of community participation in the delivery of education services which is the strength of the system that needs to be maintained, which includes religion (Christian, Hindus and Muslims) and community organisations as well as localised communities. Most schools are managed by non-government organisations. Government operates only 0.3% per cent of the 712 primary schools, 8 per cent of the secondary schools, 8 per cent of vocational and technical education schools, and 2 out of the 5 teacher training institutions. Fiji also has an international school which caters for the international community based locally.
International School Suva is an independent co-educational day school offering pre-school, primary and secondary education. The school was established in 1973 and caters for students from 3 to 18 year olds.

HEALTH

Fiji generally has a good standard of health and compares well with other Pacific Island nations. The country's health status meets or exceeds most of the World Health Organization’s goals for the Year 2008. Such a status is due to improved health standards, sound comprehensive health care programme and the untiring effort of the Ministry of
Health in promoting healthy living for people. The Ministry of Health has formulated its new Strategic Plan for 2005-2008 and will focus on five main thematic areas of:

1. Provision of affordable, well planned, quality health services (preventative, diagnostic, clinical, pharmaceutical, rehabilitative) to everyone in Fiji.

2. Protection of Health of citizens through the review of formulations of appropriate policies, legislation, regulations and standards that safeguard health.

3. Promotion of Health through the development and maintenance of effective partnerships that empower all stakeholders of health promotion so as to reduce risk factors related to communicable and non-communicable diseases.

4. Development and retention of a valued, committed and skilled workforce to enhance the delivery of quality health services.

5. Development and use of an integrated management system to empower managers to maximize resources and promote continuous improvement at all levels of health service delivery.

Primary health care involves the provision of primary medical treatment, preventive medicine and health education. About 95% of primary medical care is provided by doctors in government hospitals, health centres and nursing stations throughout the
country. They are complemented by general practitioners in private practice in most urban centres. The hospitals, health centres and nursing stations provide outpatient medical treatment, antenatal and postnatal care, family planning and development and screening
of children. Divisional hospitals provide screening for cancer of the breast and cervix, immunisation, clinical laboratory facilities, health education and dental care. Psychiatric care is provided in a separate institution. All school children are medically examined at regular
intervals by school health teams. Health education activities and training are important ongoing programmes for the sector. The public is encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles to ensure their well-being and to learn proper use of health services through media, publications, audio visuals and counseling. Nutrition, a major determinant of health, is being addressed by the Food and Nutrition Committee which was stablished by government to encourage the public to adopt to better and healthier eating habits.

The government continues to push for improved curative services. The focus has been on the quality of treatment provided, staffing, upgrading of existing facilities and the provision of equipment and technologies to meet current demands. There are a total of around 307 doctors in the public service providing inpatient and ambulatory care. The private hospital system is also emerging as an alternative means of medical care provision in Fiji. Government continues to acknowledge and encourage the private sector which supplements the efforts of the Ministry of Health. A new private hospital run by the Colonial Group has been established in the capital Suva and offers state of the art medical equipment and highly trained staff.

RECREATION AND SPORTS

Sport, with its intrinsic values, plays an important role in nation building programme. It provides lucrative employment opportunities and promotes Fiji as a tourist destination. Fiji is
gaining an increasing reputation for hosting a range of sporting events. Fiji has proved its resilience with the hosting of what is being called the biggest and the best South Pacific Games ever. The 12th SPG games were held from June 28-July 14, 2003 and altogether 22 Island countries participated. With the financial support of the Government of the People's Republic of China who spent $25 million on the development of sporting facilities and a contribution by the Fiji Government of $17 million for the upgrading of sporting facilities, the
event presented the largest and most complex organisational challenge. With the untiring efforts of Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC), the SPG organising committee, government and the Suva City Council, the games provided an ideal opportunity to re-build the country and to promote the spirit of multiculturalism, of togetherness and working for a common goal.

The games have seen the development of new facilities namely the Multi-purpose Hall which has the potential to seat up to 4000 spectators and houses three competition size basketball courts with sprung timber flooring identical to that used for the Sydney Olympics. The National Aquatic Centre features a 50 meter competition pool and a 25 meter warm up pool, fully lit at night training and the National Hockey Centre has the facility to seat up to 500 spectators and features a water base synthetic pitch, which is the finest playing surface available. The new facilities also include a netball centre, beach volleyball centre and baseball grounds. The Fiji Sports Council was established by an Act of parliament in 1978 to promote and develop sport in Fiji. It is currently the main sporting body.

Source (Fiji Today 2005/2006 :
Supplied by Ministry of Information)