Climate
Fiji enjoys an ideal South Sea tropical climate. It is thus a perfect holiday destination, especially for those trying to escape the severe Northern Hemisphere winters. Maximum summer temperatures average 31 Degrees Celsius (88 Degrees F) and the mean minimum is 22 Degrees Celsius (72 Degrees F) The average winter average temperature maximum is 26 degrees Celsius (79F) and the mean minimum is 20 degrees Celsius (68F). These are much cooler in the uplands of the interior of the large islands.

A cooling trade wind blows from the east southeast of most of the year. It usually drops to a whisper in the evening and picks up again by midmorning. Fiji has a climate ideally suited for the outdoors, the beach and surf, for light cotton dresses, barbecues and water sports.

The driest period is between May and November when the cooling southeast trade winds blow - this is also Fiji's winter/cold season. The wet season is between December to April when it is hotter and there is a relatively high humidity.

Viti Levu has distinct wet and dry zones - the wet zone is on the southeast.
Suva has an annual average rainfall of 385 centimetres while Lautoka on the western side has about 191 cm of rainfall.

Summer Average Air Temperatures: 23 - 30°C 73 - 86°F Average Water Temperatures: 27 - 29°C 80 - 84°F Winter Average Air Temperature: 20 - 26°C 68 - 79°F Average Water Temperatures: 25 - 27°C 77 - 80°F

Population
Fiji is a multiracial and multicultural nation with a population of 775,077 (1996 Census report).
Fijians comprise 51 per cent of the total, Indians 44 per cent, with the balance made up of Rotumans, Chinese, Part-Europeans, Europeans and other Pacific Islanders.

Language
The official language is English with Fijian and Hindi being used widely.

Religion
Religion plays an important role in Fiji where the main religions are Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

Electricity
Electricity is supplied at 240 volts AC 50 Hz and Fiji has three pin point outlets similar to Australia and New Zealand.

Transport
Fiji has bus services, taxis, ferry services, rental car companies, two domestic airlines (Sunflower Airlines and Air Fiji) - which provide efficient services and make getting around Fiji a breeze.

Medical Services
Fiji is free of most tropical diseases - there is no malaria or yellow fever in the country.
Government-owned hospitals are located at urban centers throughout the country and private specialist medical consultation is also available (surgery hours are usually between 8.30am-5pm). Suva's CWM Hospital is Fiji's largest hospital.

Patients who are not Fiji citizens are charged a minimal hospital fee - facilities are of reasonable standards.

Telecommunications
Telecom Fiji Limited provides local telephone services while Fiji International Telecommunications Ltd (FINTEL) provides international services.
International and domestic direct dialing, facsimile, Internet and email services are available.
Telecom also offers paging and voice-mail. Mobile communications are provided by Vodafone Fiji Ltd, a venture between Vodafone Australia and Telecom Fiji.

Postal Services
Post Fiji, which used to be part of the old Fiji Post and Telecommunications Ltd, is responsible for mail services and offers direct mailing, priority mail, philatelic and courier services. International courier services also have their offices in Fiji.

Sports
Rugby and soccer are the major sports in Fiji, but there are sports facilities for all sports such as golf, tennis, bowling, squash, netball, volleyball, basketball, swimming. Fijians love their sports and Fiji is the current world champion in sevens rugby. Check out the Fiji Visitors Bureau for more information.

Banking
The major banks represented in Fiji are: Bank of Baroda, the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ Ltd), Habib Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Westpac Banking Corporation and the Colonial National Bank.

Normal banking hours are from 9.30am-3pm (Mon-Thurs) and 9.30pm-4pm on Friday.

Currency
The Fijian dollar - the basic unit of currency - is available in $2, $5, $10, $20 and $50 notes.
Coins are available in 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c and $1. Major credit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard and JCB) are accepted at selected outlets.

Tipping
Tipping is not encouraged in Fiji but if you want to, you may do so at your own discretion.