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TRAVELLER INFORMATION FOR FIJI

Entry/Exit Requirements: Advance visas are not required for visitors from USA, Canada, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand or Japan. Visitors from other countries should check with a Pacific Islands Travel agent for visa requirements. Visas are issued upon arrival. Passport valid for 3 months, sufficient funds, and onward or return tickets required. Visitors are usually allowed stays of up to 30 days. Departure tax FJ$20.

Climate: Tropical with only slight seasonal variations & occasional heavy rainfall.

Clothing: Light tropical gear. Smart casual at night in the luxury hotels. Brief attire in the villages may offend. Remove headwear when approaching a village.

Currency: Fijian dollars (FJ). All major credit cards are accepted in the tourist resorts.

Health: No major health precautions necessary.

Time: GMT + 12.

Area: 18,333 sq km (7078 sq miles).

Population: 832,494 (official estimate 2000).

Capital: Suva. Population: 77,366 (1996).

Geography: Fiji is located in the South Pacific, 3,000 km (1,850 miles) northeast of Sydney, 2,000 km (1,200 miles) north of Auckland and 5,000 km (3,000 miles ) southwest of Hawaii. It comprises 322 islands, 105 of which are uninhabited (some are little more than rugged limestone islets or tiny coral atolls). The three largest are Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Taveuni. The largest river is the Rewa River on Viti Levu, which is navigable for 128km (80 miles). Mount Victoria, also on Viti Levu, is the country's highest peak, at 1322m (4430ft).

Government: Republic since 1987.

Head of State: President Ratu Josefa Ilolio since 2000. The President is appointed for a five-year term by the Great Council of Chiefs (Bosu Levu Vakaturaga), a traditional body with roughly 70 members consisting of every hereditary Fijian chief (or ratu).

Head of Government: Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase since 2000.

Language: The official language is English, which is also taught in schools. The main other languages are Fijian and Hindi.

Religion: Christian (primarily Methodist), Hindu and Islam.

Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Larger hotels also have 110-volt razor sockets.

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 679. Outgoing code: 00. International calls can be made from hotels via an operator, or from the Fiji International Telecommunications (FINTEL) office on Victoria Parade in Suva.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900. Roaming agreements in operation. Network provider is Vodafone Fiji (website: www.vodafone.com.fj).

Fax: The FINTEL office in Suva also offers fax services. Major hotels have facilities.

Internet: Major hotels offer access. There are Internet cafes in Suva, Nadi and Lautoka.