Viti Levu

Viti Levu is the largest island in Fiji. It is very important because it is where Fiji's capital city, Suva, is located. Most people in Fiji live on this island. Viti Levu means "Great Fiji" in the Fijian language. The island plays a big role in the country's history, culture, and everyday life for many Fijians.

Geology

Fiji is located in a busy area where two large pieces of Earth's crust, called plates, meet. This area experiences many shallow earthquakes because of these moving plates.

The oldest rocks on Viti Levu come from a time long ago, during the Eocene and Early Miocene periods. These rocks are mostly made from old volcanic flows and materials, changing from basalt to trachyte and rhyolite. You can find these rocks south of Nadi, including on the peaks of Koromba and Natambumgguto, and they stretch down to Sigatoka and along the southern coast. These rocks are mixed with other materials like tonalite, granodiorite, gabbro, and diorite.

Later rocks from the Mio-Pliocene and Plio-Pleistocene periods are found in river valleys and the northern part of the island. These include sandstones, marl, and volcanic rocks, with notable peaks such as Koroyanitu, Malua, Monavatu, Mount Tomanivi, and Ndelamendamu. These rocks extend along the eastern coast near Nausori and include areas like the Emperor Mine near Vatukoula.

Geography, economy and ecology

Viti Levu is the biggest island in Fiji and where most people live—about 600,000 people. It stretches 146 kilometres long and 106 kilometres wide, covering 10,389 square kilometres. The island has a rugged landscape shaped by past earthquakes and volcanic activity, with a mountain range running down the middle. The highest point is Mount Tomanivi, also called Mount Victoria, standing at 1,324 metres tall.

The east side of the island gets a lot of rain and has lush, tropical forests, while the west side is drier because it lies in the mountain's rain shadow. This drier area is great for growing sugar cane, and there are plans to grow more dairy products in the east. Viti Levu is also home to one of the world's largest insects, the Giant Fijian long-horned beetle. The island faces challenges from climate change, with rising sea levels and big storms possibly affecting many people who live in the northern and western areas.

Localities

Viti Levu is where the capital city of Suva is located, and it is home to almost three quarters of Fiji's people, about 580,000. Other important towns along the coast include Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Nausori, Rakiraki, and Sigatoka. Famous places are Natadola Beach with its luxurious resort and Pacific Harbour, a resort area about 50 kilometers from Suva. A main road circles around the whole island.

Politics

Eight of Fiji's fourteen Provinces are located on Viti Levu. The provinces of Ba, Nadroga-Navosa, and Ra make up the Western Division, while Naitasiri, Namosi, Rewa, Serua, and Tailevu are part of the Central Division. The politics of western Viti Levu differ from those of eastern Viti Levu. This is partly because western Viti Levu has many people whose ancestors came from India, while eastern Viti Levu has many indigenous Fijians. Urban areas are more mixed.

History

Prehistory

Viti Levu is thought to have been home to people longer than the island of Vanua Levu, which lies nearby to the north. According to stories passed down through generations, the first Melanesian people arrived at Vuda Point and created Viseisei as one of Fiji's earliest settlements. However, ancient remains found by scientists tell a different story.

Transportation

Ferry service, provided by the Patterson Brothers Shipping Company, connects Viti Levu to the rest of the islands.

Nadi International Airport, on the island's northwest side, is the main airport in Fiji. Nausori International Airport, on the southeast side, serves the city of Suva. It has flights from three domestic passenger airlines.