FIJI (Viii)  , a British colony consisting of an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, the most important in Polynesia, between 15° and 2o° S., and on and about the meridian of 18o° . The islands number about 250, of which some 8o are inhabited . The total land area is 7435 sq. m . (thus roughly equalling that of Wales), and the population is about 121,000 . The principal island is Viti Levu, 98 m. in length (E. to W.) and 67 in extreme breadth, with an area of 4112 sq. m . Forty miles N.E. lies Vanua Levu, measuring 117 M. by 30, with an area of 2432 sq. m . Close off the south-eastern shore of Vanua Levu is Taviuni, 26 m. in length by to in breadth; Kandavu or Kadavu, 36 m. long and very narrow, is 41 M . S. of Viti Levu, and the three other main islands, lying east of Viti Levu in the Koro Sea, are Koro, Ngau or Gau, and Ovalau . South-east from Vanua Levu a loop of islets extends nearly to 2o° S., enclosing the Koro Sea . North-west of Viti Levu lies another chain, the Yasawa or western group; and, finally, the colony includes the island of Rotumah (q.v.), 300 M . N.W. by N. of Vanua Levu . The formation of the larger islands is volcanic, their surface rugged, their vegetation luxuriant, and their appearance very 1 The notation n! denotes the product I.2.3 ....

It, and is termed " factorial n."beautiful; their hills rise often above 3000, and, in the

case of a few summits, above 4000 ft., and they contrast strongly with the low coral formation of the smaller members of the group . There is not much level country, except in the coral islets, and certain rich tracts along the coasts of the two large islands, especially near the mouths of the rivers . The large islands have a considerable extent of undulating country, dry and open on their lee sides . Streams and rivers are abundant, the latter very large in proportion to the size of the islands, affording a waterway to the rich districts along their banks . These and the extensive mud flats and deltas at their mouths are often flooded, by which their fertility is increased, though at a heavy cost to the cultivator . The Rewa, debouching through a wide delta at the south-east of Viti Levu, is navigable for small vessels for 40 M . There are also in this island the Navua and Sigatoka (flowing S.), the Nandi (W.), and the Ba (N.W.) . The Dreketi, flowing W., o hThihombia ;_~—i,al loo N• .Vatau6a v-'.~e ,i a°•'~ ~Nanas. undo Fe . .aNgele-Levu s . °^ Io '°off ~,d5ron1 Ringgold' !` a~ai Roundl ~~O .? 1 . ~ ~ SV jaYt/ple 6'046 } .

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