Place details
Place nameFiji
Other namesSovereign Democratic Republic of Fiji, Republic of Fiji, Fiji Islands, Viti, Fidji, République des Fidji, Fidschi, Fidji-eilanden, FJI, FJ, ISO242, FJ00, Dominion of Fiji, Cannibal Islands, Cannibal Isles
Latitude-18
Longitude178
SourceThesaurus of Geographic Names
Overview
Comprises over 800 islands; area was settled by Austronesian-speaking people in 2nd millennium BCE; development of pottery by 1300 BCE; sighted by Dutch Tasman 1643, visited by British in 18th century; was haven for escaped convicts from Australia by 1804; official language is English, though most speak Bauan or Hindustani.