Fiji Country & Tourist Information

Location
South Pacific, Melanesia.

Area
18,376 sq km (7,056 sq miles).

Population
931,741 (2008).

Population Density
51 per sq km.

Capital
Suva.
Population: 86,702 (2007).

Government
Republic since 1987.

Language
The principal languages are Fijian and Hindustani. English is widely spoken and is also taught in schools.

Religion
Methodist and Hindu with Roman Catholic and Muslim minorities. The 1997 Constitution of Fiji guarantees freedom of religion.

Time
GMT + 12.

Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs used are Australian-style with two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade.

Head of Government
Frank Bainimarama since 2007 (interim prime minister).

Head of State
President Ratu Josefa Iloilo since 2000.

Recent History
Two coups by the Royal Fiji Military Forces in 1987, followed by a civil coup by indigenous Fijians in 2000, caused immense harm to the tourism industry and to Fiji's international reputation. Then, in December 2006, military chief Frank Bainimarama announced he had taken over the country and installed himself as interim prime minister from the start of 2007. Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, who Bainimarama accused of mis-managing the country's affairs, was sent back to his home island. At last report, the country was still awaiting promised fresh elections.

Telephone
Country code: 679. International calls can only really be made from Viti Levu. Calls from hotels via an operator are very expensive. It is cheaper to get a public phonecard, available from post offices and newsagents or from the Fiji International Telecommunications (FINTEL) office.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. There is no coverage on outlying islands, only on Viti Levu.

Internet
Internet cafes are available in Suva, Nadi, Lautoka and most resorts. They are relatively inexpensive.

Media
Fiji's private press includes English-language dailies and Fijian- and Hindi-language weeklies. It has maintained its reputation for independent reporting despite interim military rule. The government has a stake in several publications. Radio is a prime source of information, particularly for the outer islands.

Post
Airmail to Europe and North America takes up to 10 days. The main post office is on Victoria Parade, Suva.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600; Sat 0900-1200.

Press
• The main English-language dailies are the Fiji Times, the Daily Post, and the Fiji Sun.
• Sartaj and Shanti Dut are weekly publications in Hindi.
• The Review is a fortnightly news and business magazine.

Radio
• The state-owned commercial Fiji Broadcasting Corporation operates Fijian-language Radio Fiji One, Hindi-language Radio Fiji Two, music-based Radio Fiji Gold, Hindi entertainment station Radio Mirchi and music-based Bula FM.
• Privately-owned Communications Fiji Ltd operates four stations heard around the country: FM 96 and Legend in English, Viti FM in Fijian, and Radio Navtarang in Hindi.
• The BBC World Service and Radio Australia are available on FM relays.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
9 Mar Birth of the Prophet Muhammad. 
23 Mar National Youth Day.
10 Apr Good Friday. 
11 Apr Easter Saturday. 
13 Apr Easter Monday. 
29 May Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day. 
15 Jun Queen's Birthday. 
12 Oct Fiji Day. 
17 Oct Diwali.
25 Dec Christmas.
28 Dec Boxing Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
26 Feb Birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
22 Mar National Youth Day.
2 Apr Good Friday.
3 Apr Easter Saturday.
5 Apr Easter Monday. 
4 May National Youth Day.
28 May Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day. 
14 Jun Queen's Birthday. 
11 Oct Fiji Day.
5 Nov Diwali.
25 Dec Christmas.
28 Dec Boxing Day.

Note
(a) Muslim and Hindu festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and therefore dates can only be approximations. (b) Some holidays are annually set by the government, or moved to either Friday or Monday, if the normal day of observance falls on a weekend.

Contact Information:

south-pacific.travel (South Pacific Tourism Organization)
Street address: Level 3, FNPF Place, 343-359 Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji
Postal address: PO Box 13119, Suva, Fiji
Tel: 330 4177.
Website: www.south-pacific.travel

Fiji High Commission in the UK
34 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5DN, UK
Tel: (020) 7584 3661.
Website: www.fijihighcommission.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0900-1300, 1400-1700, Fri 0900-1630; Mon-Fri 0900-1200 (consular section).

Tourism Fiji in the UK
Lion House, 111 Hare Lane, Claygate, Surrey KT 10 OGY, UK
Tel: (01372) 469 818.
Website: www.bulafiji.com

Embassy of the Republic of Fiji in the USA
2000 M Street, NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 466 8320.
Website: www.fijiembassydc.com

Tourism Fiji in the USA
5777 West Century Boulevard, Suite 220, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
Tel: (310) 568 1616 or 1 800 932 3454 (toll free).
Website: www.bulafijinow.com


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