Most of the believing population of the country are Christians (52%). They are mostly Methodists and Catholics. About 38% of believers preach Hinduism, 8% – Islam.
Transport in Fiji
The easiest way to get to Fiji is by plane with a change in Hong Kong, Seoul or Tokyo, or with a change in Australia and New Zealand. Fiji has two international airports on the island of Viti Levu.
A network of local airlines has been established between the islands of the archipelago, however, traveling around the country by plane is quite expensive. The main way to travel between the islands is by boats, seaplanes or helicopters.
On the islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, there are good paved roads that run along the coastline. The main means of transport here are buses and minibuses. The windows of local buses without glass, so that it is not stuffy. You can also use taxi services. Only in the capital of the country – Suva – taxi drivers charge for the distance, in other places it is worth agreeing on payment in advance. Smaller islands are best traveled by boat.
You can also rent a car in Fiji. To do this, it is enough to have an international driving license, a credit card and be over 21 years old. Driving in Fiji is on the left.
Plant and Animal World in Fiji
The windward southeastern slopes are dominated by tropical rain forests, where podocarpus, sandalwood, teak, redwood and bamboo are found. Tall grasses (graslands) grow on less humid lee slopes. Mangroves are common on the coastal plains.
Fiji is home to flying foxes, mongooses and small rodents. There are about 67 species of birds here – honeysuckers, parrots, hawks, flycatchers, shepherds, weed chicken, pigeons, bulbuls. Amphibians include pythons, lizards, snakes and two types of frogs. Coastal waters are full of fish, crabs, shrimps, trepangs and sea turtles.
Minerals in Fiji
The main mineral of the islands is gold, the export of which is one of the country’s main sources of income. There are also deposits of silver, manganese, copper, lead, zinc, iron, uranium, bauxite, coal, phosphorite, limestone. Oil fields were discovered along the coast.
Banks in Fiji
Banks are open from Monday to Thursday from 9:30 to 15:00, on Friday – until 16:00. All banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Exchange offices are open on weekdays from 8:30 to 17:00 and on Saturdays from 8:30 to 12:00. At Nadi International Airport, a bank branch is open around the clock.
Money in Fiji
The official currency of the country is the Fijian dollar. 1 Fijian dollar equals 100 cents. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, and 2 dollars and coins of 1 dollar, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent.
You can exchange foreign currency at the airport, banks, exchange offices and almost all hotels. Credit cards are widely used in major tourist centers. ATMs that serve foreign credit cards are located in the cities of Nadi, Suva and Savusavu. Traveler’s checks are best taken in Australian dollars or pounds sterling.
Rate: 10 Fijian Dollar (FJD) = 4.37 USD
Political State in Fiji
The official name of the country is the Republic of the Fiji Islands. According to politicsezine, the head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister. Executive power is exercised by the president and the government. Legislative power is in the hands of a bicameral parliament.
Population in Fiji
The indigenous people of the archipelago are the Melanesian people of the Fijians. They make up about 50% of the population. 46% of Fiji’s population are Indians who were brought here to work on the plantations. Also on the islands live immigrants from China, Europe and the islands of the Pacific region.
Language:
The official language of Fiji is English. It is owned by all the inhabitants of the country. The indigenous people also speak Fijian, while the Indians speak the local version of Hindi.
Cuisine in Fiji
The local restaurants offer dishes of four different cuisines – Fijian, Indian, Chinese and European.
The basis of Fijian cuisine is dishes from root vegetables, vegetables and roots (cassava, taro, breadfruit or yams) with meat, poultry and seafood.
Be sure to try such national dishes as “rourou” (taro leaf salad), “cassava” (fried or baked tapioca with coconut milk, sugar and bananas), “duruka” (a boiled vegetable similar to asparagus), “vacalolo” (cassava pudding), palusame (taro leaves cooked in coconut milk), and various recipes for breadfruit.
From meat and fish dishes, one can single out “kakonda” (local fish marinated in lime juice), “lovo” (assorted meat, fish and various fruits, fried in closed earthen hearths), small sea worms “balolo” fried in “lovo” and “ika” (baked fish).
Chinese cuisine in Fiji is a variety of rice dishes. The most popular Fijian Indian dishes are idli (small dumplings), masala dosa (rice pancakes with coconut sauce) and roti (grilled wheat pancakes).
Of the drinks in Fiji, the most popular non-alcoholic “yangona” or, as it is also called, “kava”. It is prepared from the root of yangona (kava) and has an effect on a person about the same as alcohol.
