NAVIGATION
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NAVIGATION
Republic of the Fiji Islands
INTRODUCTION
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Background:
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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). A 1990 constitution favored native Melanesian control of Fiji, but led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. Amendments enacted in 1997 made the constitution more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a coup in May of 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government and gave a mandate to the government of Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. |
GEOGRAPHY
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Location:
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Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand |
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Geographic coordinates:
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18 00 S, 175 00 E |
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: 18,270 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 18,270 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than New Jersey |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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1,129 km |
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Maritime claims:
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measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added |
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Climate:
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tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation |
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Terrain:
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mostly mountains of volcanic origin |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m |
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Natural resources:
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timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower |
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Land use:
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arable land: 10.95%
permanent crops: 4.65% other: 84.4% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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30 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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cyclonic storms can occur from November to January |
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Environment - current issues:
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deforestation; soil erosion |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
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Geography - note:
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includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited |
PEOPLE
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Population:
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856,346 (July 2002 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 32.5% (male 141,757; female 136,198)
15-64 years: 63.8% (male 273,658; female 273,100) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 14,648; female 16,985) (2002 est.) |
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Population growth rate:
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1.41% (2002 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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23.2 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) |
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Death rate:
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5.72 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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-3.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2002 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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13.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 68.56 years
female: 71.11 years (2002 est.) male: 66.13 years |
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Total fertility rate:
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2.83 children born/woman (2002 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.07% (1999 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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85 (2000 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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NA |
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Nationality:
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noun: Fijian(s)
adjective: Fijian |
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Ethnic groups:
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Fijian 51% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 44%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% (1998 est.) |
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Religions:
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Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2%
note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority (1986) |
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Languages:
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English (official), Fijian, Hindustani |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.5% male: 90% female: 95% (1999 est.) |