Bula! One of the most common greetings in the Fijian language means "health" or "life". If there's adventure in your soul, Fiji is the place to indulge it with over 330 islands packed with attractions that can be found no where else. Whether you seek Romance, Relaxation, Cultural Immersion, Cruising the Sea, or the Ultimate Eco-Tourism escapade, you'll find fulfillment here.

A nature lover's delight, Fiji has an unspoiled, unique environment of extreme beauty and tranquility. Adrift for millennia in splendid isolation in the blue of the South Pacific it has escaped the evils of industrial progress, the incursions of dangerous animals, poisonous snakes, spiders and pestilent diseases such as malaria. It awaits your discovery.

Capital
Suva

Political system
Republic

Geography
Area: 18,333 square kilometers

The Republic of the Fiji Islands is an island state located in the South Pacific, north of New Zealand. Neighboring countries are New Caledonia to the east, Tonga and Western Samoa to the west, and Tuvalu to the south. Fiji is an archipelago made up of 844 islands and atolls, of which about only 100 are inhabited. The islands are mountainous, volcanic or coral.

The two main islands are Viti Levu in the southwest (10,493 km2), and Vanua Levu in the northeast (5515 km2) and together make up 87% of the country's total area.

Climate
Fiji enjoys a humid tropical climate because of the trade winds blowing from the southeast. The average temperature is between 24 and 28° C year-round. There are two seasons:

• The rainy season, between November and April, when the air is very muggy, with an often cloudy sky and frequent severe late afternoon thunderstorms. Gales, even cyclones, can occur between December and March. On the other hand, the ocean temperature is at its highest during this time, about 28° C.

• The dry or "cool" season, between May and September, is the best time to visit, with sunny skies, pleasant temperatures (between 22 and 26° C) and a wonderful water temperature (24-25° C), particularly in the lagoons.

Whatever the season, stark contrasts exist, based on topography and orientation. The volcanic islands receive a lot more rain, since their contours stop the trade winds, while the coral islands, with their flat relief, can suffer from drought. The windward sides of the islands and the south-facing slopes of the reliefs are always wetter than the leeward and north-facing sides.

Festivals and Events

• January 1 - New Years Day
• March 12: National Youth Day
• Early March - Holi (Hindu)
• March-April: Good Friday/ Easter
• May: Celebrations in honor of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna
• June: Jul Bula Festival in Nadi
• June: Queen's Birthday
• June 18: Prophet's Birthday (Muslim)
• July 26: Constitution Day
• August: Indian Coal-Walking Ceremony, Suva
• September: Sugar Cane Festival, Lautoka
• October 11: National Holiday
• October 26: Diwali (Hindu)
• December 25-27: Christmas