Suva

Suva (population 141,000) is the capital of Fiji. It is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, in the division of Central Fiji, which it is also the capital of. Suva became the capital of Fiji in 1877 when the geography of former main Kaivalagi (European) settlement at Levuka on the island of Ovalau proved too restrictive. Suva is located at 18°10' South, 178°27' East (-18.1667, 178.45).

Physical characteristics

Suva is the commercial and political centre of Fiji, and the largest city in the South Pacific outside of Australia and New Zealand. It is Fiji's main port city and was the host of the 2003 South Pacific Games. Fiji's tallest building, the Reserve Bank of Fiji Building, is located in Suva, but this will be shortly be overtaken by the tallest building in the Pacific Islands region, which will be built on the nearby site of the old Morris Hedstrom store in Suva.

Related Topics:
South Pacific - Australia - New Zealand - 2003 - South Pacific Games - Reserve Bank of Fiji Building

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Although Suva is on a peninsula, and almost surrounded by sea, the nearest beach is 40 kilometers away at Pacific Harbour, and the nearby coast is lined by mangroves. A significant part of the city centre, including the old Parliament Buildings, is built on reclaimed mangrove swamp. Suva is noted for its considerable rainfall. Although it is not as wet as Pohnpei, the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia, it has a markedly higher rainfall than Nadi and the western side of Viti Levu, which is known to Suva citizens as "the burning west".

Related Topics:
Parliament - Pohnpei - Federated States of Micronesia - Nadi - Viti Levu

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Suva has about 78 parks. These include the new Takashi Suzuki Garden and the Thurston Garden. Apted Park, at Suva Point, is a well-known spot for viewing sunrise and sunset.

Related Topics:
Takashi Suzuki Garden - Thurston Garden - Apted Park - Suva Point - Sunrise - Sunset

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