Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji, led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE.
Country profile: Fiji
The 800-plus volcanic and coral islands that make up the Pacific nation of Fiji enjoy a tropical climate and are a prime destination for tourists.However, since 1987 racial and political tensions have been an intermittent source of instability and international isolation.
In 1987 a coup by indigenous Fijians overthrew the elected, Indian-dominated coalition. This triggered a series of adverse events, including the introduction - and subsequent withdrawal - of a constitution enshrining indigenous Fijian political supremacy.
A further coup in 2000, led by businessman George Speight, saw the country's first ethnic Indian prime minister, his cabinet and several MPs held hostage for several weeks.
These events caused great harm to the economy - the tourism industry in particular - and Fiji's international reputation.
Rancour over the 2000 coup persisted, with bitter divisions over plans to amnesty those behind it. The proposals underlay tensions which culminated in a 2006 military takeover - Fiji's fourth coup in 20 years.
Fiji's population, which resides mostly on the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, is divided almost equally between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians, the descendents of indentured labourers brought from India.
Mixing between the two groups is minimal, and informal segregation runs deep at almost every level of society.
There are also very small non-Indo-Fijian, non-Fijian minority communities, such as Chinese and Rotumans.
Although Fiji relies heavily on the sugar and tourism industries for its foreign exchange, its economy is diverse. Gold, silver and limestone are mined, and there is a strong services sector and some light manufacturing.
Nonetheless, Fiji has been hampered by persistent trade and budget deficits, making it one of the world's largest per capita recipients of aid.
- Full name: Republic of the Fiji Islands
- Population: 854,000 (UN, 2005)
- Capital: Suva
- Area: 18,376 sq km (7,095 sq miles)
- Major languages: English, Fijian, Hindi
- Major religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam
- LIfe expectancy: 66 years (men), 70 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 Fijian dollar = 100 cents
- Main exports: Sugar, clothing, gold, processed fish, timber
- GNI per capita: US $3,280 (World Bank, 2006)
- Internet domain: .fj
- International dialling code: +679
Fiji's military chief Commodore "Frank" Bainimarama announced in a televised address on 5 December 2006 that he had taken over the running of the country.
The following day he installed military doctor Jona Baravilala Senilagakali, a Methodist lay preacher and political novice, as caretaker prime minister and sent troops to shut parliament.
He said he would surrender presidential powers and Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs would be asked to reappoint President Josefa Iloilo to the post.
Iloilo would then appoint an interim government to prepare the country for fresh elections, but he gave no timetable for new elections.
He accused the desposed Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, of leading Fiji on a path of doom.
Mr Qarase called on Fijians to oppose the coup peacefully.
President (suspended): Josefa Iloilo
Josefa Iloilo was re-elected for another five years in March 2006. He ran unopposed, resisting calls from some tribal chiefs to not seek a second term.
He was vice-president at the time Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, cabinet members and MPs were taken hostage in the coup led by George Speight in May 2000. He was nominated as president after the crisis was resolved in July that year.
Mr Iloilo pledged to bring national unity to Fiji. "That unity must reflect the make-up of a multicultural and multi-racial society," he said at his inauguration in March 2001.
Born in 1920, Mr Iloilo worked as a teacher. Now in his eighties, he is said to be in poor health.
Fiji's powerful indigenous body, the Great Council of Chiefs, can appoint the president, the vice-president and nearly half of the members of the upper house of parliament, the Senate.
Prime minister (ousted): Laisenia Qarase
Laisenia Qarase, from the mainly-indigenous Soqosoqo Duavata Lewenivanua (SDL) party, secured a second, five-year term in closely-fought elections in May 2006. The SDL won 36 seats in the 71-member lower house of parliament, the House of Representatives. The vote was polarised along racial lines.
Mr Qarase first came to power in 2001 in elections which marked a return to parliamentary democracy.
The constitution requires that the cabinet should include members of any party with more than 10% of the seats in parliament. Members of the main opposition party, the ethnic Indian Fijian Labour Party, occupy seven cabinet posts.
The prime minister's controversial proposal to pardon or amnesty some of those behind the 2000 nationalist coup angered the opposition and the military.
Fiji's private press, which includes English-language dailies and Fijian- and Hindi-language weeklies, is vigorous in its reporting. As a result, some newspapers have come under fire from politicians.
Radio is a key source of information, particularly on the outer islands. There are publicly and privately-owned stations. The BBC World Service and Radio Australia are available via FM relays.
The press
Television
Radio
Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Union markets, but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugar subsidies. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity but is not efficient. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's ability to manage its budget. Yet, because of a tourist boom, short-run economic prospects are good, provided tensions do not again erupt between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians. Overseas remittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have increased significantly.
Fijian natural resources include timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower
includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited
Fijian religion is Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2%.
Natural hazards in Fiji include cyclonic storms can occur from November to January.
Travel Advice on Fiji
SUMMARY
- We advise against all but essential travel to Suva. On 5 December, the Fiji Military Commander dismissed the elected Prime Minister and Government of Fiji and announced that he had assumed control of the country. A state of emergency is now in place in Fiji and curfews could be imposed without warning. Although the security situation in Fiji is currently calm, it could deteriorate at short notice. The British High Commission in Suva is monitoring events closely. If you are in Fiji, you should register with the British High Commission.
- You should exercise caution when travelling to the rest of Fiji, particularly in urban areas. There is the potential for civil unrest following the military coup. You should avoid all military or political rallies and large gatherings of people. You should also keep yourself informed of developments, including by regularly checking this Travel Advice.
- We advise you to ensure that you are comfortable with, and regularly review your own and your family’s security arrangements. You should consider how you might leave Fiji quickly should the security situation deteriorate.
- The Military has set up a series of vehicle checkpoints in Suva, Nadi, Lautoka and Labasa, but traffic is running freely at present. The airport in Suva and the international airport in Nadi currently remain open and commercial flights are operating as normal.
- Penalties for possession of any amount of marijuana carry a mandatory prison sentence.
- The threat from terrorism in Fiji is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
- The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Fiji involves the theft of money and passports. The majority of consular cases occur on the main island of Viti Levu. Robberies, thefts and assaults have occurred against foreigners in Fiji. You should take appropriate precautions.
- Tropical cyclones are common in Fiji from the beginning of November until the end of April. Please see: Hurricanes.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Fiji is in an earthquake zone and suffers from tremors time to time. On 3 May 2006, an earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale was recorded 95 miles off the coast of Tonga. Tsunami alerts were put in place for Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and Hawaii.
Flash floods resulting in landslides and road blockages are not uncommon. On 4 February, Parts of the Northern Division were flooded in storms. The town of Labasa on the island of Vanua Levu was particularly badly affected. Savusavu also suffered some flooding and a loss of power and water supplies. Services have now been restored to most areas of Savusavu and Labasa, but some are still without. Residents have been advised to boil drinking water. Food supplies have been damaged by floodwater or lack of electricity for refrigeration. Telephone communications are being repaired. Airports remain operational. Some tourist facilities have been damaged. If you are planning to visit Vanua Levu you should check with your tour operator or resort.
GENERAL
Most tourist hotels and many restaurants accept credit cards. But not all ATMs accept the full range of credit cards issued overseas. The Australian and New Zealand Bank (ANZ) and Westpac ATMs accept UK Visa and Mastercard, and UK debit cards with Maestro and/or Cirrus symbols.
Airport Departure Tax is 30.00 Fijian Dollars, which includes Noise Tax and Airport Departure Tax. Increasingly, this is included in the ticket price, but you may wish to check that this is so.
The British High Commission is located in Suva, around 200kms from the main holiday resort areas in the west. There may thus be some delay in rendering assistance to those who encounter problems in the west, given the distance involved, time taken to reach the west from Suva and the difficulties with travel on the Suva to Nadi road after dark.
We recommend that all resident British nationals register with the British High Commission in Suva, either by fax e-mail or mail.
The British High Commission in Suva does not issue passports, but applications for a new passport should be submitted to the High Commission for processing. Please note that you can apply up to nine months before your current passport expires. Any remaining period of validity will be credited to your replacement passport. You will be allowed to retain your old passport while waiting for the replacement to be processed and returned.
Urgent passport applications will be forwarded by commercial courier to the British High Commission in Wellington, and the courier cost (currently F$119) will be added to the passport fee. Your application will be processed as quickly as possible, but you should be aware that due to the distances involved, it is likely that there will be a delay in issuing you with a full replacement British passport. Less urgent applications will be forwarded to Wellington via the Diplomatic bag, which is routed through London, free of charge.
Where necessary the High Commission can issue an Emergency Passport or a Temporary Passport. Emergency Passports are not machine readable, and are valid only for a single journey back to the UK using agreed transit points, or to Commonwealth countries, provided a prior arrangement exists with the authorities of the Commonwealth country concerned. Temporary Passports are machine readable and valid for one year.