Fiji 2002

In 2002, Fiji was a developing country located in the South Pacific Ocean, consisting of 332 islands. With a population of about 900,000 people, it was predominately rural and heavily dependent upon agriculture and tourism for its economic survival. According to computerannals, the majority of the population lived in poverty, and literacy rates were only around 75%. The economy was largely based on subsistence farming and small-scale industry. Infrastructure was limited; roads were often in poor condition and there were frequent electricity shortages. Healthcare services were limited, particularly in rural areas where access to basic medical care was often inadequate or nonexistent. Education levels were also low; primary school enrollment rates were below 50%, while secondary school enrollment rates hovered around 25%. Despite its many challenges, Fiji had experienced some economic growth since the mid-1990s due to increased agricultural productivity and increased foreign investment.

Yearbook 2002

Fiji. In February, George Speight, who led a coup in Fiji in the spring of 2000, was sentenced to death for treason. Just a few hours later, the sentence was converted to life imprisonment. According to Countryaah website, national day of Fiji is every October 10. Speight had pleaded guilty to the crime, which, according to some analysts, was because he wanted to protect leading ethnic Fijians who supported the coup from being exposed during the trial.

Fiji Border Countries Map

At the coup, Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry was deposed, and several government and parliamentary members were held hostage for several weeks. Chaudhry was the first Indian of India to be elected prime minister.

His successor, Laisenia Qarase, still refused to allow the Indian-dominated Labor Party to take office in the government, despite both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court ruling that he thereby violated the constitution. According to this, all parties that have received more than 10% of the votes must be prepared for seats in the government.

Tensions between Indians and ethnic Fijians continued to be strong. Many Indian tenants, who cultivated sugar cane, had not renewed their contracts after they expired at the turn of the year. Thousands of Indo-Fijians were also said to have left the country.

Prime Minister Qarase was accused in June of voting during the parliamentary elections in 2001. The government rejected the accusations. Qarase’s party Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) received a majority in parliament with a four-seat margin.

During the year, a trial was held against 15 soldiers who had been charged with mutiny for six months after Speight’s coup attempt. The leader of the mutiny, Captain Shane Steve, received life imprisonment, while the others received prison sentences of between 18 months and eight years. Even before the trial, the government had announced plans to abolish the death penalty.

Fiji Country Overview

Visas and admission
Finnish citizen does not need a visa for Fiji for a trip of less than 4 months.

The passport must be valid for 6 months after leaving the country.

Insurance
Every person participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.

Please pay attention to the special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well.

Many dive trips require more extensive insurance. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.

Currency
The currency of Fiji is the dollar (FJD). € 1 = about 2.46 FJD. Currency is not available from Finland.

Vaccinations 
Check that your basic vaccinations are valid (tetanus, polio and diphtheria and MPR). Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended for the trip.

Always check the vaccination requirements at the health center or the Vaccination Advice of the Tourist Clinic

Time difference
11 hours and summer time 12 hours

Electric current
The electric current is 240 V / 50 Hz. Sockets similar to e.g. Australia.

Safety We
stay in safe areas during our trip, but general caution within common sense is desirable throughout the trip.

For more information on traveling in the country, see the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ travel bulletin.

Climate
Fiji has a tropical climate, with almost daily rainfall. The air is warm all year round and the temperature varies between 20-29 degrees. At night, the temperature drops to around 18-20 degrees.

Food and drink
The traditional Fijian diet is based on high-carbohydrate ingredients such as yams, taro, sweet potatoes and cassava. In addition to these, there are also breadfruit, nuts and bananas. There are differences in the diets of different ethnic groups in Fiji. For example, Fijians have learned from Indians how to use chili, rye bread, rice, vegetables, and tea, while Indians have embraced the use of taar and cassava and drinking kava. Water and beverages must be industrially bottled. It is also a good idea to rinse fruits and vegetables with bottled water. Heated or tablet-purified water can be drunk. Reheated foods should be avoided.