Various archaeological sites have been located with evidence to prove that the practice was widely prevalent on the island. Fijians were also fierce cannibals who were known for their practice of eating their enemies and making human sacrifices. Nearly five centuries ago on Bega Island, the Sawau tribe introduced the fire walking ceremony which would later come to be one of the most popular activities within Fiji. In some regions, Kava is referred to as Yaqona. 1. 13. If you’re planning a trip to the beautiful islands of Fiji, then you might want to learn a little bit more about it. English is one of the subjects taught within the Fiji education system which ensures the country's residents can converse in the language. Here are 10 other facts about Fiji you might not know: Fiji's territory is comprised of 332 islands although some sources have indicated that there are 333 islands. If you’re planning a trip to Fiji, lucky you! One of the most interesting facts about Mount Fuji is that its summit has been considered to be sacred since Ancient times. One of the most iconic beverages from Fiji is referred to as Kava and not only is it a traditional drink but it is the country's national drink. 10 Surprising Facts About Fiji What comes to mind when you think of Fiji? Fiji's waters are home to over 1,500 species of sea life. Bula! 12. A large section of Fiji's population traces its descent to India particularly the regions of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Cars, respectively, too. 7. Fiji is expecting the tourism industry to continue to grow with hopes of reaching $2.2 billion by 2020. 18. Under British rule, Indian servants were brought to Fiji to work in the sugarcane fields. More budget resortsare being opened in remote areas, which provides more tourism opportunities. After 96 years of British rule, Fiji became independent in 1970 but remained part of the British Commonwealth. The most popular form of rugby within Fiji is the seven aside, and their national team is one of the most successful in the world. We have been leading group trips since 2014 to Ladakh, Meghalaya, Bhutan, Kashmir, Sikkim, Kerala, South East Asia and Europe. Most of Fiji's islands and islets owe their formation to volcanic activity which began occurring in the region approximately 150,000,000 years ago. Why not start off with these 18 interesting facts about Fiji! Join Neeraj Narayanan and his trip leaders as they take you on the “magic bus” across locations in India, South East Asia and Europe. Ten fun facts about Fiji. Fiji has 28 … 8. By Joseph Kiprop on August 13 2019 in World Facts. At nearly 200 different dialects, Fijian has more dialects spoken on the island than any of the other official languages. So while these might not be the most useful facts about Fiji, they are, in our opinion, the most fun! Bula! Fijians now regard those years as “na gauna ni tevoro” (the time of the devil). Tourists to Fiji are primarily from Australia with 367,273 visitors in 2015 followed by New Zealand (138,537) and the United States (67,831). © 2020 TheFactFile.Org. The largest proportion of the inhabitants of Viti Levu live along the island's coast since the interior is not as habitable due to the terrain. Fiji is teeming with things to do, from adrenaline adventures, island hopping, exploring villages and much more! The fire walking tradition was handed down from one generation of the Sawau tribe to the next. Dec 29, 2014 | Blog. The original settlers of Fiji, who came to the islands over 5000 years ago, are now called the Lapita people but were originally Melanesians and Polynesians. 2. 110 of them are inhabited and 87% of the country’s population lives on the two largest. Join us is you love adventures, if you love nature and exploring offbeat beautiful trails. It is actually part of a wider area of some 186 miles of Tokyo city. Archeological evidence suggests that Fiji was settled in three waves of immigration between 1230 BC–860 BC by early Polynesian peoples. 10 Fun Facts About Fijian Culture According to island legend, Fiji history began when Cheif Lutunasobasoba, the “Box of Blessings” and his followers traveled across the seas and landed on Fiji. Fiji Water once ran an ad campaign stating “The label says Fiji because it’s not bottled in Cleveland”. Kava is a plant grown mostly in the Pacific Islands, it’s not only grown in Fiji. British control over the area formally started after a number of the highest ranking traditional Fijian chiefs such as Ma'afu and Cakobau signed the Deed of Concession. However, this small island nation still has a rich culinary heritage. Fiji is officially called the Republic of Fiji. Lush tropical islands lined with long, sweeping, fluffy white sand beaches that are backed by coconut palms and fronted by crystal clear aquamarine waters? Together with Mount Tate and Mount Haku, Mount Fuji forms the “ Three Holy Mountains ” of Japan. 5. The people of Fiji are some of the warmest and most welcoming in the world which regularly surprises visitors to the nation. Fijian cuisine is famous the world over due to its flavor as well as the methods used in its preparation. Fact 1 Officially, this country is called the Republic of Fiji. For nearly a century beginning in 1874, the British government ruled over the territory of Fiji. Most of the Indians who arrived in Fiji came to the island to work as laborers in some industries, particularly in the sugarcane sector. Fiji is better known for its beaches rather than its cuisine. Don’t be afraid to handle them; there are no venomous snakes in the Fiji Islands. The Fiji Museum indicates that according to archaeological evidence, the practice is at least 2,500 years old. 10 Fantastic Facts about Fiji Located in the South Pacific, Fiji is an archipelago nation approximately 1,300 miles north of New Zealand. The lovo pits are preferred when preparing vast quantities of food as they are exceptionally efficient. 20 Fun Things to Do in Fiji on Your First Visit. Getting there is an adventure in itself… If you are planning the Fijian holiday of your dreams, consider this: getting to Fiji from Europe or South America usually takes between one and three days depending on the transfers, an interesting fact about Fiji. 10. 22. If, for example, war had been declared, Fijians would be sharpening their knives (and forks) in preparation of meeting their enemies. The Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park is Fiji's first National Park and was established in 1987 to protect a unqiue natural and cutural heritage site. There are motor roads only on two islands. The recorded history of Indians in Fiji dates back to 1813 when an Indian sailor survived a shipwreck and lived the remainder of his life among the natives of Fiji. The first word in the native Fijian language you’ll need to learn is Bula, which means “hello”, because you will hear it everywhere. Fiji is one of the most successful nations to compete in the Hong Kong Sevens having won the event 15 times. Fun Facts About Fiji. Accommodations range from luxury hotels on the beach to hostels for backpackers that run an economical $8 to $15 per night. The Fiji Republic is actually not just one beautiful island but an archipelago of some 333 islands and over 500 islets. The residents of Fiji hold rugby in high regard as it is the national sport. Let your imagination run wild while you picture sandy beaches, cold beers, treetop adventures and cultural experiences. Scuba diving is a common tourist activity. The British are credited with introducing rugby to Fiji during the period when Fiji was under their rule. It consists of more than 300 islands and 540 islets that occupy an area of 1,000,000 square miles. It’s not! The residents of Fiji reside in 110 of the nation's biggest islands with Viti Levu having the most significant population. The warm nature of the Fijians is one of the reasons the nation has a large tourism sector. Fiji receives between 400,000 and 500,000 tourists annually. In Fiji there is a line of change of dates – the 180th meridian. The state’s territory consists mainly of water, only 10% of the area is land. Fijian girls learn how to craft pottery as well as weave baskets and mats while boys learn to carve kava bowls, war clubs, spears, and the always-popular wooden forks that are sold to tourists as relics of Fiji’s days of cannibalism. The capital, Suva, is on the southeast coast of the largest island, Viti Levu. Fiji’s first settlements were started by voyaging traders and the first Europeans to land and live among the native population were shipwrecked sailors. Hire a boat to spend the day on the water diving in the Great Astrolabe Reef coral reefs and snorkling along the beaches. 2. Youliang Teo Feb 19th, 2019. The Fiji Islands are arranged in a horseshoe configuration, with Viti Levu and adjacent islands on the west, Vanua Levu and Taveuni in … Literally. 1. Fiji’s main sources of foreign exchange are sugar exports and its thriving tourist industry, which along with its... 2. Fiji is a nation that occupies 7,056 square miles within the Pacific Ocean and is one of the most popular countries in the region. There was a time in the past, though, when Fijians practiced cannibalism as part of a war tradition. Our Fiji staff and volunteers are always telling us such wonderful things about this beautiful archipelago, so we decided to share some of our favourite facts with you. The citizens of Fiji believe that the drink has numerous medicinal qualities particularly in the treatment of insomnia, headaches, and stress. These friendly people will also greet you in English, which almost all of the population speaks as well. Here are 18 Interesting Fiji facts. Those who enjoy outdoor adventures will find great walks and hikes in the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, the sandy Natadola Beach, or the Lavana Coastal walk from the beach to the waterfall. Fiji has many soft coral reefs. English, Fijian, and Hindi, are the official languages of Fiji. 16. Fiji's territory is comprised of 332 islands although some sources have... 2) Fiji was once under British rule. Fiji Fun Facts 1. Most visitors to Fiji can witness the tradition in some hotels and resorts throughout the island. Fiji has 6 national parks. In the past, the rugby team of Fiji performed the Cibi war dance before the beginning of each match, but it was replaced by the Bole war cry. 70. The first word in the native Fijian language you’ll need to learn is Bula, which means “hello”, because you will hear... 3. All Rights Reserved. Fijian culture places a huge emphasis on friendship which is the main reason the residents are so welcoming to foreigners. 10 Interesting Facts About Fiji 1) Fiji is composed of more than 300 islands. 1. 17. Yes, one of the most interesting Fiji fun facts is that Fiji has 3 official languages. This is the most visited national park in the country. 1. 15. Fiji - Fiji - Cultural life: Fiji’s mixed ethnicity contributes to a rich cultural heritage. Visit the Garden of the Sleeping Giant to see the orchids or experience the Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool in Nadi. On the territory of Fiji there are as many as 28 airports. Kava is an essential component of Fijian culture, and an elaborate ceremony is usually performed during the drinking of Kava. 6. This list will get you started. Fijians are very friendly and hospitable people. 1-5 Fiji Facts 1. Fiji has over 4,000 square kilometers of the Great Astrolab Reef. Fiji has a lot of tourism and many people go to the Nadi and Denarau islands. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Fijians were formidable warriors who built some of the finest boats in the Pacific in their day and time. This makes it easy for tourists and people traveling to Fiji to communicate with locals in … About three quarters of the over 800,000 people live on its largest island of Viti Levu. The Fiji Islands comprise 333 islands in the South Pacific – who knew? The Dutch and British began to explore the islands in the 17th and 18th centuries. Kava is the name given to it by the people of Vanuatu where it’s thought to have originated before spreading throughout Oceania. Fiji: 5 interesting facts about the island nation By Sammy Heung 25 November 2020 share: Header image courtesy of Old Youth (via Unsplash) Fiji is not only about the magnificent beaches and stunning resorts—it is a tropical paradise with its 333 sublime islands and mysterious rain forests. Be sure to visit the Kula Eco Park where you can feed young sea turtles and hold iguanas and young snakes. The last known victim was himself a missionary. Today the population is 40 percent Indian. Many features of traditional Fijian life survive; they are most evident in the elaborate investiture, marriage, and other ceremonies for high-ranking chiefs. 20. It surrounds the Koro Sea about 1,300 miles (2,100 km) north of Auckland, New Zealand. The population of Fiji is 883,483 (2018), a small number considering the number of islands – it works out as an average of just over 2,500 residents per island! The Kava plant belongs to the pepper family and its botanical name is Piper methysticum (meaning intoxicating pepper). Fiji is made up of 332 islands. 11. Far from it. The residents of Fiji also believed that eating someone's flesh allowed one to possess their knowledge. Only the leaders can wear them. Most Fijians speak English and British English is even taught in schools. In Fiji… An interesting fact – sunglasses in Fiji are banned, as are hats. In order not to interfere with the Fijians’ native way of life, contract labor from India was brought in to work in the sugar plantations. Cannibalism was a significant part of Fijian culture until the introduction of Christianity into the country. In 1987, a military dictatorship took over the country to prevent an Indian-dominated party from controlling the government. So, there is no actual and lone island called Fiji. Fiji, country and archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. Only 110 of them are inhabited and all of them are beautiful combinations of volcanic mountain ranges, rainforests, and gorgeous sandy beaches. Fiji has 50 groups of hot springs and the innermost areas of many islands feature lush rainforests with an abundance of tree species, plants and wildlife. They are English, ITaukei and Hindi. 4. Now you’ll see the cool side of the country with the fun facts about Fiji that will make you pack your bags and catch the next plane. Cultural facts of Fiji 21. It has an area of 18,274 square km. The precise reason for cannibalism in Fiji is yet to be identified; however, several reasons have been suggested such as it gave someone control over their enemies. One of the interesting geographical Mount Fuji facts is that it exists as part of a national park in Japan, called Fuji-Hakone-Izu. Traditional cooking methods consist of cooking over an open fire or in an underground oven. The major ingredient in the making of Kava is the ground root of a plant that belongs to the pepper family. Take the kids to the Big Bula Water Park or hike to one of the waterfalls or caves on the islands. With the arrival of Christian missionaries, cannibalism began to wane. The achievements of the Fijian national rugby team include winning gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics. 10. Fiji is home to over 4,000 square miles of coral reef, including the Great Astrolabe Reef. 1. Fiji Fun Facts. Fact 2 Fiji is made up of a cluster of more than 332 islands and 500 islets. Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. Tipping in Fiji can be regarded as disrespect. More than 60,000 indented workers arrived before the practice ended in 1920. But who doesn’t like a good fact? Apart from a large number of islands, Fiji also has at least 500 islets. It consists of some 300 islands (about 100 of which are inhabited) and 540 islets. This is similar to the peak of Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii which is also sacred in the native culture there. Later these Indian transplants would lead to conflicts in the islands’ government. Fire walking originated on the islands around 500 years ago but today the ceremony is usually practiced as cultural shows that appeal to tourists. Fiji Fun Facts 1. Suva is its capital and largest city. Fiji's highest point is Mount Tomanivi at 4,344 feet. Travel through time with the International Date Line – The island Taveuni is a place where you can travel through time. Captain James Cook was the first to pronounce it as Fiji and his writings promulgated that name. 110 of these islands have never been inhabited. Read on to discover some interesting facts about Fiji. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. 19. This triggered a larger exodus of Fijians of Indian origin from the country. 2. 11. Welcome to the home of the best Fiji holidays in Australia! One of the most well-known traditional food preparation methods in Fiji is the use of underground pits which the locals refer to as lovo pits. Thomas Baker made the mistake of accidentally touching the head of the village chief, an insult tantamount to a declaration of war. Not everything is related to history in Fiji. Fiji’s main sources of foreign exchange are sugar exports and its thriving tourist industry, which along with its abundance of minerals, fish, and forests, gives it one of the most developed economies in the Pacific. Although this fact may not come as a surprise, it is interesting to note that the tourism industry in Fiji is a major contributor to the economy. 9. Other areas with significant British influences in Fiji include the legal and parliamentary systems. Fiji continued to be controlled by one military coup after another until a democratic election was finally held in September of 2014. Native Fijians of Melanesian and Polynesian ancestry make up 54% of the population. The official languages of communication within Fiji, according to the nation's constitution, include English, Fijian, and Fiji Hindi. Some of the most famous Fijians of Indian descent include Hafiz Khan and Joy Ali. Fiji Fun Facts and Trivia Until the mid-19th century, the practice of eating one’s enemy was an accepted and honored tradition in Fiji. The descendants of the Indian laborers have succeeded in some fields such as sports and politics. The residents warmly greet people they come into contact with regardless of whether or not they know each other. For a cool few million you too can have your own slice of paradise. Suva, its capital city, is also located here. The ferocity of their lifestyle deterred European sailors from going anywhere near their coastal waters. Fiji is made up of 333 islands, with 223 of them being uninhabited. Fiji gained independence from the British Empire in 1970 after 96 years as a British colony. The impact of British rule in Fiji is readily visible in most areas with the national flag being one of the most notable examples. FactsKing.com / Facts About Countries & Territories / 13 Interesting Facts about Fiji Fiji is an archipelago and country located in the South Pacific Ocean. Most visitors are from Australia, New Zealand and the USA. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2020 worldatlas.com, Religion in Fiji: Important Facts and Figures. The Fiji consists of 322 islands and 520 islets. Why is this article needed? Fijian dollar is its official currency. There are also several zip line opportunities available. Fun Facts About Fiji Fiji has 333 islands Only 110 islands have people living on them The International Dateline passes through the island of Taveuni. A large number of English speakers in Fiji makes it easy for tourists to communicate with the residents. 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