Floating on the Southern part of Pacific Ocean, the island nations are some of the most beautiful pieces of land on the surface of the earth and are very popular as tourist destinations. Located to the East of Vanuatu, South of Tuvalu and West of Tonga, Fiji or the Republic of the Fiji Islands is one of the major island nations floating on the Pacific Ocean and is very popular across the world as a tourist destination. Large number of people from all corners of the world visit Fiji throughout the year, thanks to its wonderful geographical location and abundance of natural assets . Major tourist attractions in Fiji include wonderful beaches that offer picturesque view of the ocean and the natural surroundings, wilderness areas and enormous scope for wide variety of adventure sports and recreational activities.
Speaking about Fiji it is very much important to mention some of the most important things about the island nation. Like many other island nations that are floating on the Southern part of Pacific Ocean, Fiji or the Republic of the Fiji Islands also comprises an archipelago of 322 islands and 522 islets. 106 islands are well populated with the original inhabitants while the others are home to very few people. A major percentage of the human population in Fiji is concentrated in the two major islands, Vanua Levu and Viti Levu. These two islands are the most developed part of this island nation and contribute largely in its economic development. Suva is the capital city of Fiji and is located in Viti Levu Island. Labasa and Savusavu are the two main towns in Fiji.
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Fiji is a part of the oldest human civilization that grew up on the Southern part of Pacific Ocean, Historians and archaeologists have discovered several potteries from different town of Fiji which have established the fact that people started settling in the country around 1000 BC. It was in the year 1643, that a Dutch explorer named Abel Tasman visited Fiji for the first time while he was looking for Great Southern continent.
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By the middle of nineteenth century Europeans started settling in Fiji and by the year 1874 Fiji was turned into one of the British colonies. The Britishers started bringing Indian laborers for working in Fiji in contract. The year 1970 is most important in the history of Fiji because it was in that year that the country gained its independence. However it has to be mentioned here that democratic rule in Fiji was interrupted twice my military coup in the year 1987. During that time the government of Fiji was under the dominance of the Indo-Fijian community. After the second coup in the year 1987, the British monarchy and the Governor general was replaced by a non executive president and the name of the country was changed from Dominion of Fiji to the Republic of the Fiji Islands.
Speaking about Fiji one must mention about its unique culture. The culture of the people of Fiji is a great combination of Indian, European, Chinese and indigenous traditions. You will easily notice the sign of this unique blend in the language, traditions, belief system, architecture, arts, sports, dance, music and cuisine.
Tourist destinations are scattered all over this beautiful island nation and the most popular are Sri Siva-Subramaniya Temple in Nadi and Fiji Museum, Oprchid Island Fijian Cultural Center and Municipal Market in Suva.
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