The Fiji Islands comprise of over 300 islands, 109 of which are permanently inhabited. The
majority of these islands lie between longitudes 1760
50’E and 1780 W and latitudes 160 S and
200 S (Fig 1). The total land area of 18 272 km2
is dispersed in territorial waters of 141 800 km2
.
The two main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu support majority of the population of 775,0772
.
All major economic activities are based on these two islands.
The islands are of volcanic origin and rise to an elevation of over 1000m asl with perennial
rivers and streams. The eastern windward side supports a natural tropical rainforest and the
drier leeward side is extensively cultivated with sugarcane and pine forest.
The islands are dominated by the Southeast trade winds. Average annual precipitation over the
Fiji Group ranges from 1500mm on smaller islands to around 7000 mm on elevated large
islands. The principal influences on the seasonal rainfall pattern are tropical disturbances and
cyclones. The El-Nino Southern Oscillation phenomenon is known to intensify these effects.