Viti Levu
Map of Fiji showing Viti Levu (one of its major islands)
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 17°48′S 178°0′E / 17.800°S 178.000°E |
| Archipelago | Viti Levu Group |
| Area | 10,388 km2 (4,011 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 75th |
| Length | 146 km (90.7 mi) |
| Width | 106 km (65.9 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1,324 m (4,344 ft) |
| Highest point | Tomanivi |
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Fiji
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| Division | Western Division and Central Division |
| Largest settlement | Suva (pop. 77,366) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 600,000 |
| Pop. density | 55.83 /km2 (144.6 /sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups |
Native Fijians (54.3%), Indo-Fijians (38.1%); other (Asian, Europeans, other Pacific Islander) (7.6%) |
Native Fijians (54.3%),
Viti Levu (pronounced [ˈβitʃi ˈleβu]) is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji, the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.
Viti Levu is the largest island in the nation, home to 70% of the population (about 600,000), and is the hub of the entire Fijian archipelago.
The island measures 146 kilometres (91 mi) long and 106 kilometres (66 mi) wide, and has an area of 10,389 square kilometres (4,011 sq mi). It is comparable to the size of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, and slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Connecticut.
Geologists believe that Viti Levu has been submerged a number of times, and has been covered by lava and other volcanic materials. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions account for the somewhat rugged terrain of the island, which is divided into roughly equal halves by a north-south mountain range. The centre of the island is forested and includes the nation's highest peak Mount Tomanivi (otherwise Mount Victoria) rising to 1,324 metres (4,344 ft).
The eastern side of the island experiences heavy rainfall, while the western side is noticeably drier in the range's rain shadow. Accordingly, sugar cane production thrives in the west, while a dairy industry is being built in the east. Fiji's biggest cattle ranch is at Yaqara, with 7000 head of cattle on its 70 square kilometres (17,000 acres), located halfway between Tavua and Rakiraki. The island is the only known home of one of the world's largest insects, the Giant Fijian long-horned beetle.
Viti Levu hosts the capital city of Suva, and is home to nearly three quarters of the population of the Republic (about 580,000). Other important towns, all around the coast, include Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Nausori, Rakiraki, and Sigatoka. One major road has been built around the perimeter of Viti Levu. Well-known localities include Natadola Beach, Pacific Harbour (a resort center about 50 kilometers from Suva).
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Wikipedia