Fiji: Background & Geography
| Introduction | Fiji |
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Background:
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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). A 1990 constitution favored native Melanesian control of Fiji, but led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. Amendments enacted in 1997 made the constitution more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a 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 and gave a mandate to the government of Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. |
| Geography | Fiji |
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Location:
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Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand |
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Geographic coordinates:
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18 00 S, 175 00 E |
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: 18,270 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 18,270 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than New Jersey |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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1,129 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation |
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Terrain:
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mostly mountains of volcanic origin |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m |
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Natural resources:
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timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower |
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Land use:
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arable land: 10.95%
permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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30 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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cyclonic storms can occur from November to January |
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Environment - current issues:
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deforestation; soil erosion |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
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Geography - note:
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includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited |