Country
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Fiji
Republic of the Fiji Islands
Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti (Fijian)
Fiji Ripablik (Hindustani)
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; country led by military-backed interim government 2006–2014; 1998 constitution abrogated by presidential decree on April 10, 2009, and a new constitution signed into law September 19, 2013; elections on September 17, 2014, restored civilian constitutional government.
Area: 7,055 sq. mi. (18,272 sq. km).
Population: 880,391 (2012E—UN); 903,207 (2014E—U.S. Census).
Major Urban Center (2007C): SUVA, 74,481 (center), 173,137 (urban area).
Official Languages: English, Fijian (Na Vosa Vakaviti), and Hindustani (Fijian Hindi).
Monetary Unit: Fiji Dollar (official rate October 1, 2014: 1.90 dollars = $1US).
President: Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU; appointed vice president on April ...