Pacific Island Paradises

Labasa VANUA LEVU YASAWA GROUP Savusavu Namale Waiyevo NORTHERN TAVEUNI ISLANDS Rakiraki MAMANUCA Lautoka GROUP Nadi NORTHERN LAU GROUP NIAGANI Ba VITI LEVU Sigatoka Korolevu Coral Coast OVALAU Suva Pacific Harbour BEQA KORO SEA SOUTHERN LAU GROUP VATULELE KADAVU Picturesque coastlines The Fiji archipelago is comprised of 333 islands, located at the crossroads of the South Pacific. The main island is Viti Levu, the next largest is Vanua Levu, and together they make up 85 percent of the country's total land area. Approximately 100 of the islands are inhabited. All the islands have picturesque coastlines, tall coconut palms nodding over still waters of brilliant turquoise, lagoons fringed by coral reefs and soft white sandy beaches. Capital and major centres The capital is Suva on the southeast corner of Viti Levu, although most visitors have their first taste of Fiji via the international airport at Nadi, one of the other major towns on the main island. More than 85 flights land at Nadi every week. From there it is only a quick seven minute hop to one of the offshore island resorts, or less than an hour of flying time to Vanua Levu or Taveuni, the second and third largest islands. Nearby are the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands which offer picture postcard beautiful lagoons and beaches. The old capital of Levuka on Ovalau Island has been carefully preserved as an historical monument. The people Fiji is the 'hub' of the South Pacific, a melting pot of both the Polynesian and Melanesian races. The nation comprises many different races and people. From 1879 to 1916, Indians came as indentured labourers to work on the 32  www.paradisesonline.com sugar plantations. After the indentured system was abolished, many Indians stayed on as independent farmers and businessmen. Indigenous Fijians comprise half the population with South Pacific Islanders, Europeans and Chinese comprising the remainder. The principal language is English, however Fijian is spoken by Fijians, Hindustani by most Indians, and Chinese and other Pacific island languages are spoken. Most of the population is bilingual. Nature Fiji's larger islands are generally of volcanic origin and the smaller islands are coral, limestone, or sand cays. Coral reefs and lagoons abound. Vegetation is mainly tropical coconut palms and pandanus interspersed with hibiscus, frangipani and other exotic flowers. Unique fauna includes the fruit bat, mongoose and Fijian crested iguana. Fiji is free of all the serious plant and animal pests and diseases that plague other countries and endeavours to remain that way. Preserving the beautiful environment is an exercise that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests takes very seriously, strictly regulating the importation of any matter that may affect the country's plant and animal life. The sights On the road from Suva to Nadi are the Kula Bird Park and the Sigatoka Sand Dunes. In Suva, the national museum in

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