Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century).

The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji, led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority.

A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil.

Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. Re-elected in May 2006, Qarase was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, who initially appointed himself acting president.

In January 2007, Bainimarama was appointed interim prime minister.

Source: CIA World Fact Book

Population: 918,675 (July 2007 est.)

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Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.9% (male 144,665/female 138,816) 15-64 years: 64.7% (male 297,709/female 296,897) 65 years and over: 4.4% (male 18,397/female 22,191) (2007 est.)

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Median age: total: 24.9 years male: 24.4 years female: 25.4 years (2007 est.)

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Population growth rate: 1.394% (2007 est.)

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Birth rate: 22.37 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

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Death rate: 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

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Net migration rate: -2.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

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Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.042 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.003 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.829 male(s)/female total population: 1.006 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

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Infant mortality rate: total: 11.99 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

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Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.12 years male: 67.6 years female: 72.76 years (2007 est.)

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Total fertility rate: 2.7 children born/woman (2007 est.)

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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 600 (2003 est.)

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HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 200 (2003 est.)

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Nationality: noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian

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Ethnic groups: Fijian 54.8% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 37.4%, other 7.9% (European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese) (2005 estimate)

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Religions: Christian 53% (Methodist 34.5%, Roman Catholic 7.2%, Assembly of God 3.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.6%, other 4.9%), Hindu 34% (Sanatan 25%, Arya Samaj 1.2%, other 7.8%), Muslim 7% (Sunni 4.2%. other 2.8%), other or unspecified 5.6%, none 0.3% (1996 census)

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Languages: English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani

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Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 95.5% female: 91.9% (2003 est.)

Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 300,000 to 400,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Union markets, but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugar subsidies. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity but is not efficient. Fiji's tourism industry was damaged by the 2006 coup and is facing an uncertain recovery time. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's inability to manage its budget. Overseas remittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have increased significantly.

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GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.594 billion (2006 est.)

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GDP (official exchange rate): $2.045 billion (2006 est.)

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GDP - real growth rate: 3.1% (2006 est.)

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GDP - per capita (PPP): $6,200 (2006 est.)

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GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.9% industry: 13.5% services: 77.6% (2004 est.)

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Labor force: 137,000 (1999)

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Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry and services: 30% (2001 est.)

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Unemployment rate: 7.6% (1999)

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Population below poverty line: 25.5% (FY90/91)

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Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

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Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2005)

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Budget: revenues: $720.5 million expenditures: $728.3 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005)

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Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish

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Industries: tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries

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Industrial production growth rate: NA%

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Electricity - production: 817 million kWh (2004)

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Electricity - consumption: 759.8 million kWh (2004)

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Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2004)

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Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2004)

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Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

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Oil - consumption: 10,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

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Oil - exports: NA bbl/day

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Oil - imports: NA bbl/day

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Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl

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Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2004 est.)

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Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2004 est.)

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Current account balance: -$465.8 million (2006 est.)

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Exports: $719.6 million f.o.b. (2005)

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Exports - commodities: sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil

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Exports - partners: US 15.5%, Australia 12.8%, UK 12.5%, Bermuda 7.9%, Japan 4.9%, Samoa 4.3% (2006)

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Imports: $1.462 billion c.i.f. (2005)

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Imports - commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals

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Imports - partners: Singapore 29%, Australia 23.4%, NZ 16.9%, China 4.7% (2006)

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Debt - external: $127 million (2004 est.)

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Economic aid - recipient: $63.9 million (2004)

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Currency (code): Fijian dollar (FJD)

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Exchange rates: Fijian dollars per US dollar - 1.7313 (2006), 1.691 (2005), 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958 (2003), 2.1869 (2002)

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Fiscal year: calendar year