Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti (Fijian)

Fiji Ripablik (Hindustani)

Note: On September 1, 2009, the Commonwealth suspended Fiji from member-ship, citing the government’s failures to negotiate with the opposition and to schedule a legislative election for 2010. Acting President Epeli Nailatikau, having won cabinet endorsement in late October 2009, was sworn in as president on November 5.

Political Status: Voluntarily assumed the status of a British dependency in 1874; became an independent member of the Commonwealth on October 10, 1970; republic declared on October 15, 1987; current constitution promulgated on July 25, 1997, with effect from July 27, 1998; constitution abrogated by presidential decree on April 10, 2009.

Area: 7,055 sq. mi. (18,272 sq. km.).

Population: 828,900 (2007C); 833,000 (2008C). The 2007 figure is provisional.

Major Urban Center: ...