18. 2. The fire walking tradition was handed down from one generation of the Sawau tribe to the next. Reverend Thomas Baker, a Methodist missionary, and seven of his followers were the last recorded victims of cannibalism within Fiji. Fiji has a lot of tourism and many people go to the Nadi and Denarau islands. 110 of them are inhabited and 87% of the country’s population lives on the two largest. Fiji’s main sources of foreign exchange are sugar exports and its thriving tourist industry, which along with its... 2. 2. Fiji is one of the most successful nations to compete in the Hong Kong Sevens having won the event 15 times. Travel through time with the International Date Line – The island Taveuni is a place where you can travel through time. Traditional cooking methods consist of cooking over an open fire or in an underground oven. 20 Fun Things to Do in Fiji on Your First Visit. In Fiji there is a line of change of dates – the 180th meridian. Only the leaders can wear them. 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. 10. The state’s territory consists mainly of water, only 10% of the area is land. Dec 29, 2014 | Blog. Fiji’s first settlements were started by voyaging traders and the first Europeans to land and live among the native population were shipwrecked sailors. This list will get you started. 19. Fijians were also fierce cannibals who were known for their practice of eating their enemies and making human sacrifices. Thomas Baker made the mistake of accidentally touching the head of the village chief, an insult tantamount to a declaration of war. Yes, one of the most interesting Fiji fun facts is that Fiji has 3 official languages. 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 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. Suva is its capital and largest city. 1. 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. Fiji has many soft coral reefs. Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. 8. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. If you’re planning a trip to the beautiful islands of Fiji, then you might want to learn a little bit more about it. The impact of British rule in Fiji is readily visible in most areas with the national flag being one of the most notable examples. But who doesn’t like a good fact? 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 expecting the tourism industry to continue to grow with hopes of reaching $2.2 billion by 2020. By Joseph Kiprop on August 13 2019 in World Facts. 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. In 1874 the British subjugated Fiji as a colony and began the large scale cultivation of sugar cane there in the 1880s. 110 of these islands have never been inhabited. For a cool few million you too can have your own slice of paradise. 70. Fun Fiji Facts! The Fiji Republic is actually not just one beautiful island but an archipelago of some 333 islands and over 500 islets. 11. Native Fijians of Melanesian and Polynesian ancestry make up 54% of the population. The British are credited with introducing rugby to Fiji during the period when Fiji was under their rule. Kava is a plant grown mostly in the Pacific Islands, it’s not only grown in Fiji. Why is this article needed? 3. Welcome to the home of the best Fiji holidays in Australia! Today the population is 40 percent Indian. Fijians are very friendly and hospitable people. The Dutch and British began to explore the islands in the 17th and 18th centuries. Fiji Fun Facts. 12. The residents of Fiji also believed that eating someone's flesh allowed one to possess their knowledge. 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. 1. One of the most interesting facts about Mount Fuji is that its summit has been considered to be sacred since Ancient times. 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. 1. If you’re planning a trip to Fiji, lucky you! 22. Fiji Fun Facts. This triggered a larger exodus of Fijians of Indian origin from the country. 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. 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 has 28 … Bula! Read on to discover some interesting facts about Fiji. The Kava plant belongs to the pepper family and its botanical name is Piper methysticum (meaning intoxicating pepper). The citizens of Fiji believe that the drink has numerous medicinal qualities particularly in the treatment of insomnia, headaches, and stress. Captain James Cook was the first to pronounce it as Fiji and his writings promulgated that name. The Fiji Museum indicates that according to archaeological evidence, the practice is at least 2,500 years old. There are motor roads only on two islands. So while these might not be the most useful facts about Fiji, they are, in our opinion, the most fun! 20. With the arrival of Christian missionaries, cannibalism began to wane. 1. 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. 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. Most Fijians speak English and British English is even taught in schools. The people of Fiji are some of the warmest and most welcoming in the world which regularly surprises visitors to the nation. It surrounds the Koro Sea about 1,300 miles (2,100 km) north of Auckland, New Zealand. Apart from a large number of islands, Fiji also has at least 500 islets. It’s not! English, Fijian, and Hindi, are the official languages of Fiji. 10. The Fiji consists of 322 islands and 520 islets. 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). 10 Surprising Facts About Fiji What comes to mind when you think of Fiji? Another of Fiji's islands with a significant population is the island of Vanua Levu. Fact 2 Fiji is made up of a cluster of more than 332 islands and 500 islets. All Rights Reserved. Fiji has 6 national parks. The Fiji Islands comprise 333 islands in the South Pacific – who knew? Under British rule, Indian servants were brought to Fiji to work in the sugarcane fields. English is one of the subjects taught within the Fiji education system which ensures the country's residents can converse in the language. Fijian cuisine is famous the world over due to its flavor as well as the methods used in its preparation. 17. Cannibalism was a significant part of Fijian culture until the introduction of Christianity into the country. Bula! 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. Fiji's highest point is Mount Tomanivi at 4,344 feet. Various archaeological sites have been located with evidence to prove that the practice was widely prevalent on the island. Far from it. Some of the most famous Fijians of Indian descent include Hafiz Khan and Joy Ali. One of the interesting geographical Mount Fuji facts is that it exists as part of a national park in Japan, called Fuji-Hakone-Izu. Most visitors to Fiji can witness the tradition in some hotels and resorts throughout the island. In Fiji… Vibrant coral reefs swarming with … 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! Fijians now regard those years as “na gauna ni tevoro” (the time of the devil). If, for example, war had been declared, Fijians would be sharpening their knives (and forks) in preparation of meeting their enemies. 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. These friendly people will also greet you in English, which almost all of the population speaks as well. Not everything is related to history in Fiji. Many features of traditional Fijian life survive; they are most evident in the elaborate investiture, marriage, and other ceremonies for high-ranking chiefs. Take the kids to the Big Bula Water Park or hike to one of the waterfalls or caves on the islands. It consists of more than 300 islands and 540 islets that occupy an area of 1,000,000 square miles. Later these Indian transplants would lead to conflicts in the islands’ government. 14. Visit the Garden of the Sleeping Giant to see the orchids or experience the Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool in Nadi. Fiji is teeming with things to do, from adrenaline adventures, island hopping, exploring villages and much more! They called their home Viti but nearby island Tonga called it Fisi. Fact 1 Officially, this country is called the Republic of Fiji. Be sure to visit the Kula Eco Park where you can feed young sea turtles and hold iguanas and young snakes. The achievements of the Fijian national rugby team include winning gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics. The ferocity of their lifestyle deterred European sailors from going anywhere near their coastal waters. Only 110 of them are inhabited and all of them are beautiful combinations of volcanic mountain ranges, rainforests, and gorgeous sandy beaches. The first word in the native Fijian language you’ll need to learn is Bula, which means “hello”, because you will hear... 3. 11. 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. Let your imagination run wild while you picture sandy beaches, cold beers, treetop adventures and cultural experiences. Fijian dollar is its official currency. 1. They are English, ITaukei and Hindi. Fiji gained independence from the British Empire in 1970 after 96 years as a British colony. 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 Fun Facts 1. Most visitors are from Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Archeological evidence suggests that Fiji was settled in three waves of immigration between 1230 BC–860 BC by early Polynesian peoples. Village groups own over 80 percent of Fiji’s land, which is called Native Land, and use it for their village site and as a nature reserve. At nearly 200 different dialects, Fijian has more dialects spoken on the island than any of the other official languages. There are also several zip line opportunities available. A large section of Fiji's population traces its descent to India particularly the regions of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. This is the most visited national park in the country. Kava is the name given to it by the people of Vanuatu where it’s thought to have originated before spreading throughout Oceania. This makes it easy for tourists and people traveling to Fiji to communicate with locals in … Tipping in Fiji can be regarded as disrespect. Fiji Fun Facts 1. 10 Fantastic Facts about Fiji Located in the South Pacific, Fiji is an archipelago nation approximately 1,300 miles north of New Zealand. Fiji - Fiji - Cultural life: Fiji’s mixed ethnicity contributes to a rich cultural heritage. 10 Interesting Facts About Fiji 1) Fiji is composed of more than 300 islands. 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