Fiji' History

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, Fiji was called Viti by its native people. These natives were a blend of Micronesian, Polynesian and Melanesian cultures and lived a relatively harmonious life dating back approximately 2500 years. In 1643, Abel Tasman set sail to Indonesia and stumbled upon the islands that are now know as Fiji. Nobody returned to see these islands until Captain James Cook, 130 years later. At this time people avoided the Fiji islands due to the reputation of the people as being 'crazed cannibals'.

During the late 19th Century the High Chief of Fiji ceeded the Islands to Queen Victoria and Britain controlled their colonial subjects until Independence in 1970. Fiji is now a Republic with a democratic parliamentary system similar to other Western Countries. Also in the 19th Century many Christian missionaries came to live and preach. At present nearly all Fijian are Christians and many practice their faith enthusiastically.

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