Official Name: Sovereign Democratic Republic of Fiji

Area: Australia and Oceania

Size: 18,274 km²

Coastline: 1.129 km

Independence: from the UK 10 October 1970

Form of Govt.: Republic

Head of Govt.: Prime Minister

Capital: Suva

Largest City: Suva

Demographics (2005): 905,949,   46 /km² 

Indigenous Fijian 54.3% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indo-Fijian 38.1%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 7.6%

GDP per Capita (2005): $6,375

Languages: English, Bau Fijian, and Hindustani

Geography: The country consists of 844 islands and islets, of which 105 are inhabited with 90% of the population living on the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Most of the islands are of volcanic origin and are generally mountainous and rugged. Flat land is found where rivers have formed deltas and there are fertile plains along the coasts. Dense tropical forests cover the southeastern windward sides of the islands while coral reefs surround most of the islands. The principal rivers on Viti Levu are the Rewa, Sigatoka and Ba.

Climate: Fiji has a tropical climate with a wet and dry season. The wet season is between November and April, which is also when hurricanes and cyclones are most likely to occur while the dry season is between May and October. The prevailing trade winds blow from the east for most of the year and average annual precipitation varies from 1,780 mm to 2,030 mm. Average temperature ranges in Suva are from 20 to 26 degrees Celsius in August to 23 to 30 degrees Celsius in February.