Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands
conventional short form: Fiji

Capital:

Suva (Viti Levu)

Location:

Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Area:

total: 18,270 sq km
land: 18,270 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Population:

880,874 (July 2004 est.)

Languages:

English (official), Fijian, Hindustani

Economy- Overview:

Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports and a growing tourist industry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's ability to manage its budget.

Industries:

tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries

Exports - commodities:

sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil

Imports - commodities:

manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals

Exchange rates: