The Republic of the Fiji Islands, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still has a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Union markets, but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugar subsidies. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity.

Fiji has a land area of 18,333 sq km, and a water area of 1,290,000 sq km. It is located in the center of the South Pacific Ocean and consists of 332 islands, of which approximately 110 are inhabited. A tropical ocean climate prevails here. Fiji’s 2007 GDP is F$2.045 billion and GDP per capita is F$6200. Agriculture focuses on fishery and salmon, which is produced on a large scale. Coconut production is also a major business.

Area:
total: 18,270 sq km
land: 18,270 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate:
tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:
mostly mountains of volcanic origin

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m

Natural resources:
timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower

Land use:
arable land: 10.95%
permanent crops: 4.65%
other: 84.4% (2005)

Irrigated land:
30 sq km (2003)

Natural hazards:
cyclonic storms can occur from November to January

Current environmental issues:
deforestation, soil erosion