Fiji

Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean comprising about 330 islands, with around 110 inhabited. The two largest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, host most of the population and economic activity. The capital and largest city is Suva, located on Viti Levu; Nadi serves as the main international gateway.

Fiji was settled by Melanesian peoples thousands of years ago. It came under British rule in 1874 and gained independence in 1970. The country experienced military coups in 1987 and 2006. Since adopting a new constitution in 2013, Fiji has been a parliamentary republic with a ceremonial president and a prime minister as head of government. Parliament is elected by universal suffrage.

The population is around 900,000. The country has a mixed population of indigenous iTaukei Fijians and Indo-Fijians, with languages including English, Fijian, and Fiji Hindi. Christianity is the major religion, with Hinduism and Islam also represented. Indigenous land is largely held under customary tenure.

Fiji's economy relies heavily on tourism and sugar exports, with other sectors including agriculture and light manufacturing. It faces exposure to tropical cyclones and rising sea levels associated with climate change. The country is known for its coral reefs and marine biodiversity, including areas around the Yasawa and Mamanuca island groups and the nearby Great Sea Reef, as well as its tropical climate and island ecosystems.