The Fiji Islands are among those countries that are rarely interested in anyone other than those who already live here. Perhaps in vain - this is a very interesting place, and it is definitely worth visiting here at least once in your life.
Fiji is one of the best known and most developed states in the Pacific, and its main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for most of the land and concentrate over 90% of the total population. The island's inhabitants are a mixture of Indians, Polynesians and Malaysians and have one of the highest living standards in Oceania, although the country has suffered from ethnic conflicts at the end of the last century. The relief of these islands is volcanic, and the maximum height is on the island of Viti Levu where there is also the capital Suva (Tomaniivi peak 1,424 m high).
Bemorepanda collected top facts about Fiji Islands.
1. Over the past century and a half, the state of Fiji has changed five names.
2. The current name is the Republic of the Fiji Islands.
3. In Fiji, as many as three languages have the status of state - English, Fijian and Hindustani.
4. The country's currency is the Fijian dollar.
5. Fiji has 332 islands, of which about a third are inhabited.
6. The highest point in Fiji is Mount Tomanivi, whose peak reaches 1324 meters above sea level.
7. Due to the lack of fresh water, the Fijians collect rainwater from roofs in special tanks.
8. There are rivers and lakes on the Fiji Islands.
9. More than three and a half thousand species of various insects live here.
10. Descendants of immigrants from India make up a third of Fiji's population, there are a little less than three hundred thousand people.
11. The Armed Forces of the Republic of the Fiji Islands take part in various UN peacekeeping activities around the world.
12. The most popular sport in Fiji is rugby.
13. On Fijian dollars there is an image of the Queen of England.
14. In Fiji, it is customary to go on a visit and take some gift for the hosts with you.
15. Fun fact - sunglasses in Fiji are prohibited, as are hats. They can only be worn by leaders.
16. Tipping in Fiji can be considered disrespectful.
17. In Fiji there is a line of change of dates - the 180th meridian.
18. There are as many as 28 airports in Fiji.
19. There are highways only on two islands. Cars, respectively, too.
20. About 87% of the population lives on the two largest islands of the archipelago.
Interesting facts about Fiji are an excellent opportunity to learn more about Oceania. The country is located in the Pacific Ocean, so it is often subject to tropical cyclones.
Large floods and landslides are observed annually, from which people and animals suffer. However, here you can see magnificent landscapes with a wide variety of vegetation.
Amazing facts about Fiji
1. The Republic of the Fiji Islands is located in Oceania in the South Pacific. Over the past 150 years, this state has changed its name five times. Today this country is called the Republic of the Fiji Islands.
2. Fiji is a collection of coral and volcanic islands.
3. The country of Fiji includes 333 islands, of which only a third are inhabited. These are about 110 islands. A little more than 900 thousand people live in the country.
4. The two main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, are home to about 883,000 people, representing 87% of the total population.
5. Fiji has over 4,000 square miles of coral reef, including the Great Astrolabe Reef.
6. The total land mass of Fiji is slightly less than the state of New Jersey.
7. According to ancient Fijian mythology, the history of Fiji began in 1500 BC.
8. Then giant war canoes arrived from Taganika north of Egypt, carrying the leader Lutunasobasoba and a special cargo: treasures from the temple of King Soloman in Judea, including a special box called "Kato," which means case and "mana," meaning magic, which from the Fijian language it is translated: "box of blessings."
9. When the box fell into the sea on the Mamanuca Islands, the command was given to Lutunasoba soba not to get the box, but his general Degey returned later and tried to do it.
10. He only managed to get a large diamond that was not in a box and was immediately cursed and turned into a snake with a diamond on his head for all eternity, and he is locked in an ocean cave at Sawa-i-Lau in Yasawa. The Fijians believe this box is still buried in the waters between Likuliku and Mana and has brought great blessings to the area's villages.
11. In 1643, the Dutchman Abel Tasman, known for his explorations in modern Australia and New Zealand, saw Vanua Levu, the second largest island in Fiji, but did not land on it.
12. In 1789, after the rebels landed him from Tahiti, HMS Bounty Captain William Bligh and 18 others were pursued by Fijian war canoes through present-day Bligh Water. They climbed with difficulty into their 22-foot open boat and fled, reaching Timor.
13. Until the end of the 19th century, cannibalism was widespread in Fiji.
14. Fiji was a British colony from 1874 to 1970. Fiji became independent on October 10, 1970, and is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations.
15. About 57 percent of the population of Fiji are native Melanesians or Melanesian-Polynesians. In comparison, 37 percent are descended from Indians brought to the islands in the late 19th century by the British to work on sugar cane plantations.
16. Conflicts on ethnic grounds are not uncommon here, and some tension is felt. The inhabitants of Tonga several centuries ago were afraid of the Fijians, who enjoyed the fame of bloodthirsty cannibals among them.
17. The famous navigator James Cook, when mapping the Fiji Islands, wrote them down exactly as "Fiji," although they were called "Fisi." But because of their enormous authority over Cook, no one pointed out his mistake, and the new name eventually replaced the old one.
CAPITAL - SUVA
18. The capital Suva on the island of Viti Levu, serves as the main port of Fiji.
19. About three-quarters of Fijians live on the coasts of Viti Levu, either in Suva or in smaller urban centers such as Nadi or Lautoka.
20. In Fiji, as many as three languages the status of state languages - English, Fijian and Hindustani, but few people speak English. Although in tourist places, of course, there will be no problems with it.
21. The main religion in Fiji is Christianity, followed by Hindus and Catholics.
SHRI SHIVA SUBRAHMANIA TEMPLE - A HINDU TEMPLE IN FIJI
22. The largest Hindu temple in Fiji is the colorful Sri Shiva Subramania Temple, one of Nadi's top attractions.
23. The leaders of the Fijian villages have great authority.
24. In Fiji, only chiefs are allowed to wear sunglasses. The same goes for brimmed hats. Fortunately for tourists, this only applies to villages.
25. Until 2012, the reigning English monarch in Fiji had the status of Paramount Chief.
26. even though there are lakes and rivers on some islands of the Fiji archipelago, there is still a lack of fresh water. During the rains, residents collect water from the roofs in special tanks.
27. Since this country is located in the Pacific Ocean, it is often subject to tropical cyclones.
FIJI FLAG
28. The flag of Fiji consists of the British Union Jack (top left), which is representative of the country's longstanding association with the UK. The flag's blue field symbolizes the surrounding Pacific Ocean.
29. The emblem depicts a British golden lion with a cocoa bean, a panel with a palm tree, sugar cane, bananas, and a dove of peace.
30. A little over three thousand people serve in the Fiji army.
31. The Republic of the Fiji Islands's armed forces participate in various UN peacekeeping operations worldwide.
32. Fiji has a date change line - the 180th meridian.
FIJI NADI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
33. Fiji has 28 airports, but only four have runways.
34. Over the past 40 years, Fiji's democratic rule has been tested several times by military and civilian coups.
35. The first two military coups took place in 1987 due to fears that the Indian community dominated the government.
36. In May 2000, a civil coup took place, followed by democratic elections for Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, re-elected in May 2006.
37. Karase was expelled in December 2006 during a military coup led by Commodore Voreke Bainimarama, who later became interim prime minister. However, Bainimarama refused to hold democratic elections.
MOUNTAINS IN FIJI
38. The highest point in Fiji is Mount Tomaniwi, whose peak reaches 1324 meters above sea level.
39. The national currency in the country is the Fijian dollar.
40. On local banknotes, you can see a portrait of the Queen of Great Britain.
41. You need to know that offering someone a tip is not customary here, as this is considered bad form.
42. Rugby is the most popular sport here. This is quite an exciting sight, considering that most Fijian men are distinguished by their large and powerful physique.
43. Roads here, as well as, in fact, cars, are available only on the two largest islands of Fiji - Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
44. In total, more than 3,500 different species of insects live on all the Fijian islands.
45. More than 1,500 marine life species live in Fiji waters.
46. Some national dishes include bat meat.
47. It is customary here when going to visit to take some gifts with you.
48. The adult literacy rate here is about 94 percent.
49. Large floods and landslides are observed annually, from which people and animals suffer.
50. The Republic of the Fiji Islands is a country quite typical of Oceania, not rich, but not poor.
51. The South Pacific island of Fiji is an attractive holiday destination.
52. Here you can see magnificent landscapes with a wide variety of vegetation.
53. In recent years, tourism has been actively developing here - snow-white beaches and blue lagoons attract more and more new foreign travelers. Of course, a ticket here is not cheap due to the islands' remoteness.
54. However, between 400,000 and 500,000 tourists visit Fiji each year.
55. The Fiji Islands are exciting and worth visiting if possible at least once in a lifetime.
The Marshall Islands is a small state lost in the endless ocean. Few people in our country were closely interested in him, and it was completely in vain - this is the land of insane beauty.
The islands were discovered by the Spanish in the first half of the 16th century and were explored by British Captain John Marshall (1788), from whom they received their name. Between 1885 and 1914 they were under German protectorate, and during World War II the area was part of the Japanese first line of defense. In 1944 the islands were conquered by the Americans, who administered them until 1990, when the country gained its independence. On Bikini and Enewetak Islands, the U.S.A. they conducted nuclear experiments.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands is an island state in the Pacific Ocean, north of the Equator, between the Caroline and Hawaii archipelagos, with an area of 181 km.
The territory of the country occupies several hundred islands (32 atolls, 867 reefs), arranged in two rows: Ralik in the west and Ratak in the east.
The climate is equatorial, determining a tropical (tree) vegetation, dominated by banana and palm trees, but also a fauna rich in birds, fish.
Bemorepanda collected some more interesting facts:
1. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is actually under the control and jurisdiction of the United States.
2. The archipelago, on which the republic is spread, includes 5 islands and 29 atolls.
3. The Marshall Islands were discovered in 1526.
4. The land area of this state is about 181 square kilometers.
5. Nuclear weapons were tested on two atolls.
6. There are no nature reserves in the Marshall Islands.
7. There are paved roads only on the two largest atolls of the archipelago.
8. The maximum height of the Marshall Islands above sea level is ten meters.
9. The country gained independence only in 1983.
10. It is here, on the Kwajalein Atoll, that the world's largest lagoon is located.
11. In the northern part of the archipelago, the climate is so arid that it receives about the same amount of precipitation as in the American deserts.
12. The Marshall Islands have two official languages - Marshall and English.
13. The currency of the Republic is the US dollar.
14. 98% of the population of the islands are Marshalls.
15. The Marshall Islands maintains diplomatic relations with many countries. With Russia too.
16. Also the Marshall Islands is a member of the United Nations.
17. Subsidies from the United States and other countries account for a large share of the state
budget.
18. On the territory of the Marshall Islands there are more than two thousand kilometers of highways.
19. Internet and mobile phones are available in the two largest atolls, but they are very poorly distributed.
20. The Marshall Islands publishes two newspapers, one private and one public.
21. The country's islands are significantly distant from each other.
22. In total, the Marshall Islands is home to just over fifty thousand people.
23. The most popular sport in the country is basketball.
24. In 2008, athletes from the Marshall Islands took part in the Olympic Games for the first time, but did not take prizes.
25. There are only two hospitals in the country.
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