FIJI. Republic of the Fiji Islands
A state located in Oceania, in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean on the islands of the eponymous archipelago (over 300 islands, including more than 100 uninhabited). The largest islands - Viti Levu (population) and Vanua Levu - are located about 1700 km northeast of Australia. The total area of the islands is 18,400 km², with an adjacent water area of 1.29 million km². The capital and main port is Suva (on the island of Viti Levu; about 80,000). The administrative-territorial division consists of 4 districts. The population is 810,000 (2004); of which indigenous Fijians, belonging to the Melanesian group, make up 50%, Fiji Indians - 46%, and the rest are Chinese, Europeans, and people from Asia.
The official language is English. The population also speaks Fijian and Hindi. Religion: more than half of the population are Christians (Protestant Methodists, Catholics), about 40% are Hindus, and 10% are Muslims. The currency is the Fijian dollar = 100 cents.
It has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR on January 30, 1974).
The national holiday is October 10 - Independence Day (1970).
Fiji is a republic. The head of state is the president (R. Uluiwada). The term of office is 5 years. The Parliament - the supreme legislative body of the Republic of Fiji - consists of two chambers (the House of Representatives - 70 members and the Senate - 34 senators).
Senate members are appointed by the president, and seats in Parliament are distributed proportionally among representatives of various nationalities. The executive power in the country is exercised by a government consisting of 15 ministers headed by the Prime Minister (L. Kvaraze).
Fiji has a multi-party system. A characteristic feature of the political life of the country is the sharp struggle for power between parties representing the interests, on one hand, of indigenous Fijians, and on the other, of the significant Indian community. After the escalation of intercommunal clashes and a military coup in 2000, this confrontation has taken on a civilized, parliamentary character.
The first European to set foot on Fijian soil was the Dutchman A. Tasman in 1643. In 1774, they were explored by the English navigator J. Cook. In 1835, English missionaries arrived on the islands. From October 1874, it became a British colony. Under the influence of the liberation movement, a constitution was adopted in 1966, which significantly expanded the rights of the indigenous population. Since 1970, it has been a dominion within the Commonwealth, headed by Great Britain. On October 10, 1970, the country was proclaimed an independent state. In 1987, there were two military coups in the country. As a result of the last one (October), the 1970 constitution was abolished, the position of the Governor-General was eliminated, and the state of Fiji was proclaimed a republic.
The economy of Fiji is the most developed and diversified compared to other countries in Oceania. The GDP is $1.9 billion, and the inflation rate is 2.5%. The backbone of the economy consists of tourism and sugar production.
As a result of the government's active efforts to diversify the economy, there has been rapid development in the garment, forestry, and wood processing industries, as well as fishing.
Natural resources include tropical timber, fish, and minerals (oil, copper, gold).
Exports include sugar, copra, palm oil, gold, valuable timber, fish, and products from the garment and furniture industries. Approximately 200,000 tourists visit the country annually.
External aid and foreign investments are of great importance for the development of the economy. The main donors are Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Asian Development Bank, the European Development Fund, the UN, and its agencies.
Fiji's foreign policy is primarily oriented towards the South Pacific subregion. One of the main directions of Fiji's policy in the subregion is its relations with Australia.
Fiji is a member of the UN (since 1970). It is part of ESCAP, UNCTAD, IMF, ADB, ILO, and WHO. The Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum and the University of the South Pacific, as well as representations of several international organizations, are located in Suva.
Daily (in English - "Daily Post" and "Fiji Times") and weekly newspapers ("Nai Lalakai" - in Fijian and "Shanti Doot" - in Hindi) are published. Since 1985, television has been operational, and there is a semi-commercial broadcasting service.