Fiji Culture

The population of Fiji consists of a mixture of people from diverse backgrounds. While 50 percent of the population belongs to the Melanesian ethnic group, around 45 percent is made up of Indians, whose ancestors worked on British plantations between the years 1879 and 1916. The remaining 5 percent is made up of Europeans, Chinese and other Pacific Islanders. Majority of the people follow Christianity, while 33 percent are Hindus and 7 percent are Muslims. Though Fijian is spoken among native people, English is spoken by almost everyone and the Indians mainly converse in Hindi.

The flag of Fiji is light blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag. The shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove.
Please click here to view the Flag of Fiji

The economy of Fiji is mainly governed by the sugar industry and tourism. In 2001, around 348,000 tourists visited Fiji, attracted by the scenery, fishing, snorkeling, and diving opportunities. The country has spent around $226 million to make tourism a major source of foreign exchange.

While mining, manufacturing, and construction industries, employing 34 percent of Fiji's wage-earners, contributed 29 percent of GDP in 2000; the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors, engaging 2 percent of Fiji's workers, contributed 18 percent of the GDP in the same year. Sugarcane is the principal cash crop and paddy-rice is the chief subsistence crop. Vegetables, fruit, beef, pork, poultry, and dairy products are also produced but for the local market. Fishing is done mainly at a subsistence level, but today, commercial fishing is on the rise. The government has also instituted tax-free incentives in 1988 that created a flourishing garment industry. Ready-made garments are now the chief manufactured items in Fiji. Gold and silver are the principal minerals that are mined.