Fiji

You can enjoy a complete set of printables for the Fiji flag, and a Fiji flag colouring page, some location worksheets and maps, and a collection of interesting facts to help the kids learn a little about Fiji!

Village by the sea, Fiji

A Little Geography...

• The Republic of Fiji is an archipelago of 332 islands in the continent of Oceania, located  in the South Pacific Ocean north of New Zealand.
• Eighty percent of the population live in coastal towns on the largest islands Vita Levau and Vanau Levu.
• Suva, on Vita Levau, is the capital and largest city in the South Pacific with around 200,000 residents.
• Tavueni island crosses the 180 degree meridian. However the international date line goes around the country to the east so that all the islands share the same date. Locals get to celebrate the New Year before other countries!

A Little History...

• The first settlers came from Vanuatu in 1220 BC, followed by Melanesians and Polynesians.
• In 1643 Abel Tasman was the first European to sail past the islands but he did not land due to the treacherous coral reef.
• When Captain Cook asked neighbouring Tongans to tell him the name of the islands called Viti, he thought they said Fiji and the name stuck.
• Around 40% of Fijians are of Indian descent, tracing their roots to sugar workers who came when Fiji was a British colony.

And Some Interesting Facts...

• Beqa Lagoon is famous for its soft coral reefs whilst nearby Shark Reef has been named the world's best shark dive, with 8 species including Tiger sharks.
• Fiji was readmitted to the Commonwealth in March 2014.
• Rugby 7s is the most popular sport, with the national team winning the World Cup twice and the Hong Kong Sevens a record 12 times!
• The movie 'Cast Away' starring Tom Hanks was filmed on the Fijian islet of Monuriki.
• The Fijian Crested Iguana were 'discovered' by scientitists who saw the reptiles in the background of the film Blue Lagoon located on Yasawa Island!
• Kava is a traditional Fijian drink made from the roots of the yaqona plant.
• The original settlers of Fiji once ate their enemies until Christianity was introduced. Chief Udre Udre is reputed to have eaten up to 900 people!
• Fiji's national costume is the 'sulu', a triangular cloth skirt worn by men and women.
• Firewalking over hot stones is an ancient custom practiced on Beqa Island by the Sawau tribe. Today is it used to entertain tourists.

If you look carefully, you can see - marked in red - the location of Fiji on this map of Oceania. We have a printable version here.

About the Fijian Flag

The National flag of Fiji was adopted in October 1970. It consists of a Union Jack in the top left corner of a bright blue field. On the right hand side is the national coat of arms. The flag has remained the same since the colonial period, despite calls for change from multiple politicians. The bright blue colour is said to represent the Pacific Ocean and the Union Jack represents the country’s close ties with the United Kingdom.

Our Printable Activities for Fiji