Country profile: Fiji

The 800-plus volcanic and coral islands that make up the Pacific nation of Fiji enjoy a tropical climate and are a prime destination for tourists.

However, since 1987 racial and political tensions have been an intermittent source of instability and international isolation.

Overview

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In 1987 a coup by indigenous Fijians overthrew the elected, Indian-dominated coalition. This triggered a series of adverse events, including the introduction - and subsequent withdrawal - of a constitution enshrining indigenous Fijian political supremacy.

Reefs fringe many of Fiji's islands

A further coup in 2000, led by businessman George Speight, saw the country's first ethnic Indian prime minister, his cabinet and several MPs held hostage for several weeks.

These events caused great harm to the economy - the tourism industry in particular - and Fiji's international reputation.

Rancour over the 2000 coup persisted, with bitter divisions over plans to amnesty those behind it. The proposals underlay tensions which culminated in a bloodless military takeover in 2006 - Fiji's fourth coup in 20 years.

Fiji's population, which resides mostly on the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, is divided almost equally between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians, the descendents of indentured labourers brought from India.

Mixing between the two groups is minimal, and informal segregation runs deep at almost every level of society.

There are also very small non-Indo-Fijian, non-Fijian minority communities, such as Chinese and Rotumans.

Although the former British colony relies heavily on the sugar and tourism industries for its foreign exchange, its economy is diverse. Gold, silver and limestone are mined, and there is a strong services sector and some light manufacturing.

Nonetheless, Fiji has been hampered by persistent trade and budget deficits, making it one of the world's largest per capita recipients of aid.

Facts

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• Full name: Republic of the Fiji Islands
• Population: 839,000 (UN, 2007)
• Capital: Suva
• Area: 18,376 sq km (7,095 sq miles)
• Major languages: English, Fijian, Hindi
• Major religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam
• LIfe expectancy: 67 years (men), 71 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 Fijian dollar = 100 cents
• Main exports: Sugar, clothing, gold, processed fish, timber
• GNI per capita: US $3,280 (World Bank, 2006)
• Internet domain: .fj
• International dialling code: +679

Leaders

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Interim prime minister: Commodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama

Commodore Bainimarama siezed power in late 2006 Profile: Coup leader

Fiji's military chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama announced in a televised address on 5 December 2006 that he had taken over the running of the country. The following day he sent troops to shut parliament. In January 2007 he took on the role of interim prime minister.

The military remain in the driving seat, with individuals appointed by the military chief occupying key posts. Mr Bainimarama says he will call elections in 2010, restoring parliamentary democracy.

The military leader accused the deposed prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, of leading Fiji down a path of doom and banished him to his home island.

Mr Qarase, who had secured a second term in May 2006, had angered the opposition and the military with his controversial proposal to pardon or amnesty some of those behind the 2000 nationalist coup.

President: Ratu Josefa Iloilo

President Ratu Josefa Iloilo was appointed in the aftermath of the May 2000 coup and was re-elected president by the Great Council of Chiefs in March 2006.

President Iloilo's role is mainly ceremonial

In the December 2006 coup, Mr Iloilo lost his executive powers to Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who dissolved parliament and declared a state of emergency.

Commodore Bainimarama reinstated Mr Iloilo as president in January 2007.

Mr Iloilo endorsed the December 2006 coup, saying general elections would be held once the political and economic conditions were suitable.

He was vice-president at the time Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, cabinet members and MPs were taken hostage in the coup led by George Speight in May 2000. He was nominated as president after the crisis was resolved in July that year.

Born in 1920, Mr Iloilo worked as a teacher. Now in his eighties, he is said to be in poor health.

The president's role is largely ceremonial. Fiji's powerful indigenous body, the Great Council of Chiefs, appoints the president, the vice-president and nearly half of the members of the upper house of parliament, the Senate.

Media

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Fiji's press scene is lively

Fiji's private press, which includes English-language dailies and Fijian- and Hindi-language weeklies, is vigorous in its reporting. As a result, some newspapers have come under fire from politicians.

Radio is a key source of information, particularly on the outer islands. There are publicly and privately-owned stations. The BBC World Service and Radio Australia are available via FM relays.

The press

• Daily Post - private daily
• Fiji Times - private, main English-language daily
• Fiji Sun - private
• Sartaj - Hindi-language weekly
• Shanti Dut - Hindi-language weekly

Television

• Fiji TV - operates national free-to-air channel Fiji 1 and pay-TV service Sky Fiji

Radio

• Fiji Broadcasting Corporation - state-owned commercial company, operates Fijian-language Radio Fiji One, Hindi-language Radio Fiji Two, music-based Bula 100 FM, Hindi entertainment station Bula 98 FM, music-based Bula 102 FM