Map of Fiji

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Prior to European influence, the earlier inhabitants referred to their islands as “Viti”. The term “Fiji” is actually derived from the Tongan name for the islands. The Polynesian, Melanesian and some Micronesian influences have predominantly
shaped Kai Viti or Fijian culture. The first recorded dwellers were the Lapita people (about 3500 years ago) who were coastal dwellers and potters. Remnants of their settlements can be found at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, where pottery shards and bones were discovered and is now an important archeological site. A number of these pieces are on display at the Fiji Museum in Suva. After about 1000 years, settlements moved inland as more population arrived and an agrarian culture began forming. During the next 1000 years, Fiji was subjected to Samoan and Tongan influences. Fijian society developed around, and is still based on, extended family groups known as mataqali (pronounced: matangali) headed by hereditary chiefs or turaga ni koro (pronounced: toorunga nee koro). This arrangement led to rivalries among heirs and armed conflicts between factions. Examples of cultural development and implements of war can also be seen at the Fiji Museum.

Fiji's history continues on the History page, but the map should be showing by now.

MAP  OF THE  FIJI  ISLANDS