Fiji
Country Facts
| Population |
944,720
|
| Language |
English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani
|
| Nationality |
Fijian
|
Capital
|
Suva |
| Size |
18,270 sq km
|
Geography
|
Island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
|
| Minorities |
Indian, Rotuman |
Although Fiji was initially under democratic rule, two military coups in 1987 led to political unrest that has continued to the present time. A new constitution was ratified after the coup and elections were held in 1999, but only one elected government has maintained power through its entire term under the new constitution, due to coups in 2000 and 2006. On the 10th of April 2009, the head of the Fiji government, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, officially suspended the constitution and appointed himself head of state. The EU has halted all aid to the country until democratic elections are held.
70% of Fiji’s working population work in the agricultural sector, which only produces 8.9% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Wealth is highly concentrated within the country and the majority of Fijians have access to only a small portion of the national income.
Only 47% of Fijians have access to an adequate water source. This increase the risk of disease and forces people to spend a larger portion of their time engaging in activities such as fetching water rather than securing income for their families.
Activities such as gathering water often fall to women and children, decreasing the ability of women to provide an income for their family. In Fiji, women make less than 50% of the income of men, resulting in a gender disparity and weakening communities.
