Download INTRODUCTION GEOGRAPHY PEOPLE COUNTRY DATA: Fiji

COUNTRY DATA: Fiji : Information from the CIA World Factbook
INTRODUCTION
Fiji became independent in 1970 after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two
military coups in 1987 caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community
(descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990
constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss
resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in
1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but
a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in
August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Reelected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe
BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting president but in January 2007 became interim prime
minister. Since taking power BAINIMARAMA has neutralized his opponents, crippled Fiji's democratic institutions,
and refused to hold elections.
GEOGRAPHY
Location
Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to
New Zealand
Area
total: 18,274 sq km
Climate
tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Natural Resources timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower
Total Renewable
Water Resources
28.6 cu km (1987)
Freshwater
Withdrawal
total: 0.07 cu km/yr (14%/14%/71%)
per capita: 82 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural Hazards
cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
Environmental
Issues
deforestation; soil erosion
PEOPLE
Population
883,125 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Ethnic Groups
Fijian 57.3% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 37.6%,
Rotuman 1.2%, other 3.9% (European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese) (2007 census)
Religions
Christian 64.5% (Methodist 34.6%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh
Day Adventist 3.9%, Anglican 0.8%, other 10.4%), Hindu 27.9%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%,
other or unspecified 0.3%, none 0.7% (2007 census)
Languages
English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani
Literacy Rate
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.7%
male: 95.5%
female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
Major Infectious
Diseases
N/A
GOVERNMENT
Type
republic
Independence
10 October 1970 (from the UK)
Constitution
enacted on 25 July 1997; effective on 28 July 1998; note - it encourages multiculturalism
and makes multiparty government mandatory
Legal System
based on British system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
ECONOMY
Agricultural
Products
sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses,
goats; fish
Industries
tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries
Import
commodities
manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food,
chemicals
Import Partners
Singapore 27.27%, Australia 19.36%, NZ 15.15%, China 6.92%, India 5.23%, Thailand
4.25% (2009)
Export
Commodities
sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil
Export Partners
US 15.21%, Australia 12.11%, UK 11.23%, Samoa 5.39%, Tonga 4.74%, Japan 4.44%
(2009)
Per Capita GDP
$4,300 (2010 est.)
Population below
poverty line
25.5% (FY90/91)
*CITATIONS: All information included above is extracted from the CIA World Factbook except where noted.
Country Data: Information from Human Development Report
COUNTRY: FIJI
General
Life Expectancy at Birth (in years)
69.2
Average number of years in School (in years)
13.0
Gross National Income Per Capita (In US Dollars)
4,315
Gender Inequality
Female Seats in Parliament (%)
..
Population with at least a Secondary Education Female (% 0f 25 and older)
86.6
Population with at least a Secondary Education Male (% 0f 25 and older)
88.6
Labor Force Participation Female (%)
40.2
Labor Force Participation Male (%)
80.4
Births Attended by Skilled Health Professionals (%)
99
Poverty
Population surviving on $1.25 per day (%)
Empowerment
Number of Journalists Imprisoned
0
Corruption Victims (% of people who face a bribe situation in the last year)
Political Engagement (% percent of people who voiced opinion to public
officials)
..
..
Sustainability
Fossil Fuels as Primary Energy Source (%)
..
Renewable Resources as Primary Energy Source (%)
..
Population without Access to Water (%)
..
Population Without Access to Sanitation Services (%)
..
Population affected by natural disasters (% between 2000-2009)
6,720
Human Security
Number of Refugees leaving this country
1.9
Number of Internally Displaced People in This Country
..
Prevalence of Undernourishment (%)
<5
Demographics
Urban Residents (% of total Population)
51.9
Health
HIV Prevalence in Female Youth (% ages 15-24)
..
HIV Prevalence in Male Youth (% ages 15-24)
0.1
HIV Prevalence in Adults (% ages 15-49)
0.1
Other
Official Development Assistance Per Capita (in US dollars)
53.9
Population without Electricity (%)
..