Vanua Levu

Vanua Levu is the second largest island of Fiji. It is located 64 kilometres, or 40 miles, to the north of the larger island called Viti Levu. Vanua Levu covers an area of 5,587.1 square kilometres, which is about 2,157.2 square miles. As of 2022, around 160,000 people live on the island.

The island used to be called Sandalwood Island, but today it is known as Vanua Levu, which means "Big Land" in the local language. It is an important part of Fiji, with many people calling it home and offering a unique place to live and visit.

Geology

Fiji sits in a tricky spot between two big pieces of Earth's crust called plates. This area has many cracks, which can cause shallow earthquakes. These cracks include the Fiji Fracture Zone to the north and the Lau Ridge to the east.

The island has different kinds of rocks. In the middle, there is a group of rocks called the Suva Group, which includes sandstones and volcanic rocks. This group has several tall peaks, such as Mount Nasorolevu, which rises very high above the ground. Other rock groups are found in different parts of the island, made from materials like breccia, tuff, and basalt.

Geography

Vanua Levu is shaped like a tall, thin triangle and stretches about 180 kilometres (110 miles) in length. The northernmost point of the Fiji islands is Udu Point, found on this island. A long peninsula reaches out into the Koro Sea from the southeastern side.

The island has rugged mountains that run horizontally across it. The highest peaks are Mount Batini, also called Nasorolevu, and Mount Thurston. The southern part of the island, where the mountains are, gets a lot of rain. The northern part is drier for most of the year, which helps sugar cane grow well there. Vanua Levu has several rivers, including the Labasa, Wailevu, and Qawa, which come together to form a delta where the town of Labasa is located. These rivers aren't deep enough for large ships to travel through.

Flora and fauna

Main articles: Fiji tropical moist forests and Fiji tropical dry forests

A large area of 17,600 hectares (43,000 acres) inside the Natewa/Tunuloa peninsula is called the Natewa/Tunuloa Peninsula Important Bird Area. This area has some of the biggest remaining parts of old-growth forest on the southern part of Vanua Levu. It helps protect shy ground doves, which are a vulnerable species.

Demographics and economic activities

The biggest towns on Vanua Levu are Labasa in the north and Savusavu near a peninsula. Labasa has around 28,500 people and many Indian families. It is important for Fiji's sugar industry. Savusavu has fewer than 5,000 people but is liked by tourists because of its great spots for diving and yachting. The main work on the island is growing sugar cane, especially up north. Another important crop is copra. Tourism is also growing as a big part of the island's economy.

Politics

Vanua Levu is divided into three provinces: Bua, Macuata, and Cakaudrove. These provinces are part of the Northern Division of Fiji. Together with the Lau Islands, they form the Tovata Confederacy, one of Fiji's traditional alliances. The Paramount Chief, called the Tui Cakau, lives on Taveuni.

Only two places on Vanua Levu, Labasa and Savusavu, are officially Towns. Each town has a mayor and a Town Council that is elected every three years. Right now, the normal way of running local governments is not being used, and special leaders chosen by the main government are in charge of all towns in Fiji.

History

Vanua Levu was settled about 3,100 years ago by people who lived in houses raised above the reefs on the shores. Between 1250 and 1350, the sea level fell, which changed the land and made it harder to grow food. This led to conflicts, and people moved to fortified villages on mountaintops. These villages were used until around 1870.

The first known European to see Vanua Levu was the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman in 1643. Later, Captain William Bligh visited in 1789 while escaping after the Mutiny on the Bounty. Traders came to the island looking for sandalwood in the early 1800s, but by 1815, they had taken most of it. In the 1860s, settlers from Australia and New Zealand started coconut plantations. In 2012, Kiribati talked about buying land on the island because of rising sea levels. In December 2020, Cyclone Yasa caused a lot of damage and many people had to leave their homes.

Transport

There are ferry services that connect Vanua Levu with Viti Levu and Ovalau. These ferries are operated by Gounder Shipping and Interlink.