Province of Nadroga-Navosa Nadrogā-Navohā |
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Nickname(s): Province of Stallions | |
Motto: Hakwa Nadro | |
Nadroga - South-Western corner of Vitilevu |
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Province | Nadroga-Navosa |
Island | Viti Levu |
Division | Western Division |
Government | |
Area | |
• Total | 921 sq mi (2,385 km2) |
Population (2007) | |
• Total | 58, 387 |
Time zone | 1200 GMT (UTC+12) |
Nadroga-Navosa (Nadroga: Nadrogā-Navoha) is one of the fourteen provinces of Fiji and one of eight based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. It is about 2,385 square kilometers and occupies the South-West and Central areas of Viti Levu, Fiji's principal island. The province includes the Mamanuca Archipelago, off the west coast of Viti Levu, Vatulele (or Vahilele in the Nadroga dialect), as well as the remote Conway Reef in the southwest. The population at the 2007 census, the last to date, was 58,387 — the fifth largest province. The main town in Nadroga-Navosa is Sigatoka, with a population of 9622 (2007 census).
Nadroga/Navosa's principal town is Sigatoka situated near the mouth of the Sigatoka River.
Nadroga is famous for its sunshine and white sandy beaches. Navosa remains wild, with the region significantly less developed than Nadroga. However, it is an area of rushing rivers, deep ravines and rugged mountains. The province of Nadroga-Navosa encompasses contrasting landscapes: the rugged and mountainous northern edges towards Viti Levu's interior, sand dunes and floodplains, to rolling hills of its hinterland, roamed by the province's symbol — the wild horse. Nadroga's coast is famous for its fine beaches and lagoons. The Mamanucas, a chain of reef-fringed islands off the western coast of Viti Levu are popular tourist and surfing destinations. Nadroga's coastal belt is an integral part of Fiji's Coral Coast — containing its leading hotels and resorts such as the Shangri-La Fijian Resort, Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji, Warwick Resort, Intercontinental Natadola Bay Resort, and others. Popular areas in Nadroga include Tavarua Island, Natadola Beach, the Coral Coast, Korotogo, Sigatoka, the Sand Dunes and the "Salad Bowl of Fiji" (Valley Road).
The Sigatoka Sand Dunes, a world heritage site and one of Fiji's principal archeological and historical locations, is in the province, about half a mile from Sigatoka Town. In July 1989, the dunes were designated as Fiji's first national park under the management of the National Trust of Fiji Islands. This distinct feature covers an area of 650 hectares and offers a rich combination of geomorphological, ecological, cultural and aesthetical attributes. The national park is of great importance for educational and recreational use and is a milestone in Fiji's drive for environment. The Sigatoka valley is known as the salad bowl of Fiji.