Population: 
842, 000
Total area: 
18, 376 sq km
Capital city: Suva (210, 000 people)
Currency:
 Fiji Dollars
UNDP Human Development Index (HDI): 0.727 (90th)
GDP per capita (International $, PPP): $5, 600
Life expectancy at birth: 67 years
Literacy: 94%

Lonely Planet has a good summary and list of articles that participants will find useful.

Always check SmartTraveller before traveling to see any travel warnings and pertinent information for your trip.

Articles and Information:

• Fraenkel, J. (2014) ‘Fiji‘. The Contemporary Pacific. Vol.26:2.

This is a lengthy article that provides useful context and commentary on the political instability Fiji has experienced over the past 10 years. 

• Daye, R. (2009). ‘Poverty, Race Relations, and the Practices of International Business: A Study of Fiji.‘ Journal of Business Ethics, Vol.89. 

This study examines the practices of international businesses in Fiji and the role they have historically played in challenging social problems that confront the nation today; the author explores race, identity and poverty.

• Scheyvens, R., Russell, M. (2012). ‘Tourism and poverty alleviation in Fiji: comparing the impacts of small- and large-scale tourism enterprises‘. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. Vol.20:3.

This paper explores the proposition that businesses “at all levels and scales of operation” can contribute to poverty alleviation.

News Sources:

• The Fiji Times, the local English daily news.
• The New York Times, Fiji archive and current stories.