Fiji lies in the heart of the Pacific Ocean midway between the Equator and the South Pole, and between longitudes 175 and 178 west and latitudes 15 and 22 south.Fiji consists of 18,376 square km of land and includes approximately 330 islands of which around 100 are inhabited. The largest island and population centre is Viti Levu, followed by Vanua Levu. It is located north of New Zealand and northwest of Australia. The four largest islands, Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Kadavu are surronded by coral reefs and have mountains located in the central region of each island which cover a large portion of the land mass.

Climate

Fiji has a tropical oceanic climate. The rainy season, from November to April coincides with the hot and humid months and the cooler months are from May to October. Humidity tends to be higher in the south and east and much less in the west and north. Tempertures in January in Suva can be min - max temp: 23 - 30 degrees C or 74-86 degrees F and in July: min - max temp:20-26 degrees C or 68-79 degrees F. Rainfall also varies widely - in Suva, the average number of rainy days is 240 whereas in Lautoka which lays in the west, the average is 99 days. Fiji does sit in a cyclone area and they are most likely to occur in the summer months between November and April.

Population

Fiji is perhaps the most cosmopolitan of all South Pacific nations. Its population just under 780,000 is a combination of indigenous Fijians (50%), Indians (46%), with the remainder of the population including Rotumans, Chinese, other Pacific Islanders and Europeans.

Indigenous Fijians have a culture and language that is fairly homogonous with hereditary chiefs and patrilineal descent. Indians first came to Fiji under British rule as indentured labourers over a century ago.

Medical Tourism is also known as Medical Travel, Health Tourism, Health Travel, Medical Value Travel, Healthcare Abroad, Medical Overseas, Overseas Medical, Surgery Overseas, Medical Outsourcing and Offshore Medical. Medical tourism can be described as a healthy holiday. In most cases, medical tourists are not your average vacationers opting for medical or cosmetic treatment, just because it is available, but patients with significant health concerns for whom the cost of their health-care is a primary concern and the vacation aspect a secondary one. Indeed, someone needing medical or cosmetic treatment would not go abroad if the 'affordable healthcare' factor-quality of treatment, cost savings and wait time did not justify it. As long as you are healthy enough to travel, you stand to benefit from medical tourism’s offerings.

Medical Tourism is a combination of wellness and healthcare coupled with leisure and relaxation which is aimed at rejuvenating a person mentally, physically and emotionally, drawing away from his daily routine to a relaxed environment in an exotic location. Medical Tourism is the process of traveling abroad to receive superior medical, and cosmetic care by highly skilled surgeons at some of the most modern and state-of-the-art medical facilities in the world. This means that those who choose medical tourism are able to utilize the services of some of the top surgeons in the world, all while enjoying exotic locales and accommodations. Patients can put the money they are saving on the procedure into turning their journey into a magnificent, world-class retreat. For millions of patients, it is the only way to get the needed or desired medical treatment, without wiping out their entire life-savings.

Suva Private Hospital is one of the very few private facilities in Fiji licensed to provide outstanding medical services and facilities of a standard previously unavailable in Fiji.

From our well-equipped, 24 - hour Medical Centre with General Practitioners and Specialist Practitioners, to our comfortable inpatient accommodation, everything has been purpose designed and built to maximise the comfort and well-being ofour patients.

History

Abel Tasman is credited with the first European discovery of the Fiji Islands in 1643. Captain James Cook passed through in 1774 and Captain William Bligh of the famous Mutiny on the Bounty tale navigated trhough in 1789. Further exploration was done over the next 30 years.

The Europeans that first arrived in Fiji include shipwrecked sailors, Australian escapees, traders, planters and of course the missionaries who arrived around 1830.

Throughout this time, Fijians were involved in internal wars. The leader of one of the two powerful groups, Cakobau became a Christian in 1854 and was named Paramount Chief of Fiji. Cakobau eventually made an offer to cede Fiji to Britain and the Deed of Cession was signed at Levuka, then the capital on October 10, 1874. The first group of indentured labourers arrived from India to work on the sugar cane plantations around this time in 1879.

Fiji attained independence from Britain on October 10, 1970 with the Queen as the Head of State. There have been many more important events in Fiji's history including the two military coups in 1987, the civilian-led coup in 2000, and the third military coup in 2006.

Culture

Fijian culture is very rich in traditional beliefs and many aspects of life today are as they were a hundred years ago. Fijians live within a strict hierarchical system with the village chiefs receiving the respect of all. Fijian chiefs are hereditary titles, mostly through the male lineage, and the ranking of chiefs throughout the country is ordered into a strict hierarchical system of mataqalis, vanuas and yavusas (clans and sub clans). This intense social make-up has caused a number of bitter disputes in the past and is an underlying issue in modern day politics. If you're not a chief you're referred to as a commoner and your powers are limited.

Fijians claim descendancy to the yavusas and are granted village land to build a house and farm a small plantation. Land can be sub-leased (mostly to Indian sugar cane farmers, industries and tourist resorts) under the discretion of the village elders and the money used for village improvements, schools and social functions like weddings and funerals. Fund raising is an important part of the communal lifestyle of the village environment and many villages have communal land for growing yaqona and root crops to be used for village functions.

Yaqona

Yaqona is the traditional drink of Fiji and serves as a ceremonial and social mediator between parties. Yaqona ceremonies are performed at all social and cultural events from village fund-raising to Weddings. Participants sit in a circle on the floor facing the tanoa, a large hand-carved wooden bowl used for mixing the drink. Participants drink the brown liquid from a small half coconut shell of mixed Yaqona, one at a time, amidst chanting and hand-clapping. The taste is quite unusual to the western palette and leaves a slight numbing effect on the tongue. Drunk in volume, Yaqona causes lethargy and a slight loss of co-ordination, or, as the Fijians like to put it, relaxation. Guests are also welcomed to a village through the Sevusevu Ceremony whereby the guest presents Yaqona roots to the village headman or chief as a sign of respect after which the chief and guest sit down together and share the Yaqona drink. This is a great way to get to know the people.

The Meke

The Meke, or traditional dance, is a very popular show performed at most holiday resorts and on special occasions in the villages or town parks. The dances can involve both powerful actions and more graceful movements. Mekes tell the stories of ancient legends and in particular the victories in war. Accompanying chants, hand-clapping and drum beating enhances the spectacle.

Fiji Beaches

For those that wish to take it easy, things to do in Fiji can be just as simple as sunbathing on one of the many beaches or taking a tour of the Sleeping Giant Gardens.

Diving in Fiji

However, if you are more of an adventurous type then you are sure to want to see what goes on under the blue waters at the vast soft coral reefs and take in a couple of hours of diving. Diving and snorkeling is one of the most sought after things to do in Fiji that have scuba divers from all over the world visiting to enjoy the soft corral reefs that Fiji Tourism is proud to call a part of their natural habitat. The magnificent Bega Lagoon and the Great White Wall are both tourist attractions in Fiji that leave divers wanting more. Water sports of all kinds are a huge part of Fiji tourism, which includes swimming, kayaking, and surfing. Anyone that loves water is sure to find many ways to pass the time away.

Fiji Cruises

Visitors can view attractions in Fiji in many different ways such as a cruise by schooner or yacht to the various islands encompassing Fiji, or a coach tour on the main islands.

OtherTourist Attractions are: