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| Fiji Island Trivia |
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The Fiji Islands are a small island group situated midway between the South Pole and the Equator in the midst of the South Pacific Ocean. Fiji lies between Tahiti and Australia, due north of New Zealand; therefore they are on the airline route from the USA to Australia and New Zealand.
The South Pacific nation of Fiji is comprised of 322 islands. About 100 islands are inhabited, while the balance remains nature preserves. There are many types of islands. The Mamanucas near Nadi are coral islands. Taveuni consists of a line of dormant volcanoes, while Viti Levu and Vanua Levu are continental land masses. Fiji’s largest island Viti Levu hosts both the main international airport Nadi and the capital city Suva.
The Fiji Islands were once known as the Cannibal Isles, because of their ferocious natives. First settled by Polynesians, the Fiji islands were sort of discovered in 1643 by Abel Tasman, a Dutch explorer. In 1774, even Captain Cook anchored here, but it was Captain William Bligh of (Mutiny on the Bounty) fame that finally made them famous.
In 1874 Fiji became a British Colony. It gained its independence in 1970, after nearly a century of British control.
The majority of Fiji is mountainous (volcanic in origin) with several peaks exceeding 3000 ft. The balance of the smaller islands is a mixture of coral and limestone. Barrier reefs ring most islands. The splendid reef systems of Fiji offer spectacular scuba diving. Other popular activities are snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, yachting, biking, and hiking.
Tourism dollars are Fiji's main source of income, followed by the sugar and garment industries. It's also rich in gold, coconut oil, seafood and lumber.
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