Fiji Guide

Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific that has a population of around 900,000 people. Fiji became independent from Britain in 1970, after almost a century of British rule. Since 1987 there have been a series of political coups and the government has been unstable. Fiji has generally remained safe for travel. However, please check the current political conditions with your embassy before you go. more ...

Over a third of Fiji's population speaks Fijian as a first language (about 350,000 people). Fijian is one of the three official languages of Fiji the others being English and Hindustani. There have been various political movements over the years to upgrade the status of Fijian to be the National language of Fiji.

Fiji was first settled about three and a half thousand years ago. There is little known about Fiji before contact with Europeans. Most of what is known is from archaeological evidence and linguistics. Fiji appears to have undergone at least two periods of rapid culture change in prehistoric times. For example, there were major changes in pottery design at these times. more ...