15 Awesome Facts About Fiji | Tiny Paradise Islands

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Fiji is a major tourist location, with its white sandy beaches, beautiful islands, all-year-round tropical weather and stunning coral reefs it is a popular destination for tourists from countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Fiji is truly the friendliest place in the world.

Well, this country surprised us. Not only was it incredibly beautiful, it has a lot of unique quirks that make it so much more than just a beach. So here are some of the more surprising things that you probably never knew about Fiji:

 

1. It’s Made Up of a LOT of Tiny Islands

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332 to be exact, not include over 500 tiny islets. These are spread out over 7000 square miles, making Fiji bigger than you’d think. It becomes slightly less daunting when you realize that only 110 islands are inhabitable and 87% of the population lives on the two biggest islands Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.


2. They Kind of Used to be Cannibals

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Let’s just get that one out of the way right now. It’s 100% true that prior to the 19th century the Fijians practiced human sacrifices as well as cannibalism. According to the Great Wikipedia:

The bodies of enemies slain in battle, or in sacrifice, were piled up and cooked for festivals, such as the installation of chiefs or the launching of a great canoe.

The last man to be cannibalized in Fiji was the Reverend Thomas Baker in 1867. His partially consumed shoes can still be seen in the National Museum. The tribe apologized to the Reverends family in 2003.

Of course once Christianity spread, the practice was abandoned. Fijians are literally some of the nicest, most friendly people I have met anywhere on earth. They stick to fish now.


3. Village Culture is Still the Way of Life

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While there are a handful of small cities, most native Fijians still lead a life centered around their village. Community is very important to their culture, and most wealth and resources are divided among the residents of a village. Even most of the resort staff I got to know all go home to their villages in the evening.

Some areas are very poor, without electricity or running water, and some are doing quite a bit better, but the community spirit can be seen everywhere.

    
4. Literally Everyone Speaks English

 

This one might surprise you, until you consider the fact that Fiji was an English colony for over a century, up until 1970. All children are taught English starting from first grade, in addition to standard Fijian AND their local dialect (and sometimes Hindi or Chinese as well!).

Other imports from the English include Christianity, fish and chips and a deep passion for rugby.


5. Fiji is Pretty Diverse

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Ethnic Fijians comprise only 54% of the country’s population. Really. One of the most surprising things I learned about Fiji is that it has a huge Indian population. Brought over as indentured servants by the British in the 1800’s, their descendants make up nearly 40% of the population. This means it’s really easy to find a good samosa.

There are also white Fijians and even Chinese Fijians who have been in the country for generations.


6. The Bottled Water Thing is Real

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It really does come from Fiji! In the United States, Fiji Water is one of the priciest, classiest and, well most wasteful water brands. In Fiji they hand it out like candy.


7. They are Big on Sustainability

 

It might be because they live on small islands with limited resources, but Fiji is incredibly conscious about sustainable tourism practices. The villages of course, are almost completely self-sustaining. Many of the resorts also strive for self-sufficiency and many of the tour companies practice responsible tourism. Basically, unlike Thailand or some other places, you don’t have to feel like crap for being a tourist here.


 8. It’s Not Just a Luxury Destination.

 

Yes Fiji is full of really beautiful luxury resorts (and I saw some great ones) but that’s not the only way to experience lovely Fiji. There are a lot of reasonable, and even budget resorts, hotels and hostels, and I saw quite a few backpackers headed out to the islands.


9. It’s Gorgeous

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Well maybe you knew that, but it’s still so true!


10. To celebrate the New Year, women in the villages join the traditional game called veicaqe moli or “kick the orange.”

 

11. The Queen of England has the title of Paramount Chief of the Great Council of Chiefs of Fiji. Her image is included in colorful banknotes and coins in the country.

 

12. One of Fiji's most successful sportsman is professional golfer Vijay Singh, winner of three major championships.

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13. Of Fiji’s thousands of islands, only 322 are big enough to be lived on by humans. Only 106 of Fiji’s islands actually have human inhabitants.

 

14. If you intend to visit the local villages, you should remember that only the chiefs of these villages are allowed to wear hats and sunglasses.

 

15. Fiji is located right on the International Date Line. In Taveuni, there is a spot where you can stand with one foot in the current date and your other foot in the previous date.

 

Fiji Weather:

Warm all year round. Humid November – April. Wet season is between mid January – mid April (rains most days around 3pm – 6.30pm in the Western Division).

 
Cost to Live in Fiji:

As an expat, you can live as little as $700 or as much as $20,000 per month. If you're renting, you'll probably need a bond.


Fiji Food:

Local fruit, veg, meat and fish is excellent quality and fairly cheap. You can get your usual staples like Heinz etc. Even Cadbury's Chocolate! These luxury items are usually more expensive than home. Tip! Buy medium sliced bread, the price is regulated by the government. The small and large slice bread isn't.


Other Things About Fiji:

Don't be stupid, treat Fiji with respect and it will look after you and you'll have an amazing time. The people are awesome! If you're travelling during wet season, might be worth getting a typhoid shot, but check with your Dr first.


If I could describe Fiji in one word it would be PARADISE. Fiji is a tropical island. It has gorgeous sunny weather most of the time.  When you convert your currency to Fijian dollars you will benefit from the exchange rates. I absolutely love the food in Fiji! If you love to indulge in seafood, fruits and vegetables your in luck! Fiji has the BEST prawns, fishes and huge mud crabs. Fijian markets are filled with coconuts, mangoes, pawpaws, all sorts of tropical fruits. It is cheap. However, if your a chocolate lover, a block of chocolate is around $15.00 NZ dollars, so you would need to stock up before you leave your country. Things to consider when living there for months? Living in Fiji means beaches, rain forests, fresh seafood, beauitful weather and the friendly natives. You will surely write a wonderful chapter. All the best :)

 

Credit: Steph
Source: twenty-somethingtravel.com

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