Fiji (Pacific Ocean): useful information


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Fiji tourist information, including all the useful things to know before leaving for a trip or vacation to these islands of the Koro Sea.


Fiji islands in a nutshell

  • Capital: Suva (located on the island of Viti Levu)
  • Area in sq km: 18,272
  • Population: 838,699 (2007)
  • Religion: More than half of the population is Christian (Methodist and Catholic), the remainder is Hindu and a small Muslim minority.

Where are

Fiji travel flag Fiji is an archipelago made up of over 300 horseshoe-shaped islands, of which 110 inhabited, surrounded by the Koro Sea in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, part of Melanesia.

The islands of the archipelago are of volcanic origin, some have a mainly mountainous morphology with flat strips along the coast, others are sandy coral atolls, or volcanic islets, with inactive craters.


The main Fiji islands are Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kandavu, Koro and Rotuma.

Mount Victoria or Tomaniivi with its 1,324 m is the largest peak located in Viti Levu.

Hydrography

The main waterways, Sigatoka and Rewa, are located on the largest island of the archipelago, Viti Levu.


Climate

The Fiji islands, located in the intertropical belt, have a warm climate all year round, with an average annual temperature of 25 ° C and a rainy season during the southern summer.

The rainiest months are February and March and the hottest months are January and February.

Population

The indigenous population, which belongs to the Melanesian family of Fijians, corresponds to approx. 50%. of the inhabitants of the Fiji islands.


The remainder is made up of Indians (approx. 40%), who arrived in the period of English colonization, and of Polynesian, European and Chinese minorities.

Time zone

The time zone difference in the Fiji Islands is 11 hours ahead of Italy. (10 hours ahead when daylight saving time is in effect in Italy).

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Spoken language

The official language of the Fiji Islands is English. In addition to English, the main languages ​​spoken are Fijian and Hindostane.

Economy

The political and economic situation of Fiji is influenced by this country's colonial past.

The consequent expansion of the population of Indian origin, due to the British who brought workers from the Indies towards the end of the 1800s to be employed in sugar cane plantations, over time has created situations of conflict of interest with the indigenous population.

The Fijian economy is mainly based on agricultural production, mainly the cultivation of sugar cane, which is processed in sugar factories and widely exported.

In addition there are crops of coconut palm and exotic fruit. For the internal needs, rice, cassava and sweet potatoes are grown.

Important are the reserves of gold, silver, copper, manganese.

Of particular note is the presence of tropical forests that supply timber for internal consumption. As for industrial products, the country depends on foreign countries.


The tourism sector is a driving force for the economy.

When to go

Considering that the climate of Fiji is pleasant throughout the year, the preferred period to visit these islands is the dry season, which runs from May to October.

In these months it rains less, the temperatures are cooler and the humidity rate is lower.

During the rainy season, between November and April, cyclones can occur.

Necessary documents

To enter the Fiji islands you need a passport with a residual validity of at least 6 months from the date of entry and be in possession of the return or onward travel ticket.

For Italian citizens, the tourist visa is issued upon arrival.


Phone

- The international prefix for telephoning from Italy to the Fiji islands is: 00679

- The international prefix for telephoning from Fiji islands in Italy is: 0539

Electricity

The electric current is at 240 V 50 Hz. Sockets of various types, therefore it is advisable to have a power adapter.

Currency

The official currency of the Fiji islands is the Fijian dollar.

It is possible to exchange currency at the exchange offices at the airport, at banks and major hotels.

The main credit cards are accepted in travel agencies, hotels, restaurants and shops, in tourist areas.

How to get

Nadi International Airport, located on the island of Viti Levu, is the main airport of the Fiji islands and is served by the most important international airlines.

From Italy it is not possible to reach Fiji with direct flights, a stopover is usually scheduled in Los Angeles.

Considering the duration of the flight and the cost of the ticket, the visit to these islands can be included within a wider trip that includes Australia or New Zealand and the United States.

Air Pacific (the flag carrier) connects Fiji to the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other Pacific countries.

Air New Zealand, the New Zealand airline, flies from Milan and Rome to coincide with Alitalia and British Airways via London - Los Angeles.

Vaccinations

To visit the Fiji islands no vaccination is mandatory.


Vaccination against yellow fever is required only from those who come from infected areas.

Vaccinations against hepatitis A and B are recommended, also it is good to drink only bottled water and drinks without adding ice, avoiding eating raw food.

It is also advisable to take out, before departure, a health insurance that covers, in case of need, medical expenses and those to be incurred for any repatriation.

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