Suva is the capital and largest city of Fiji. It is located on the southeast coast of the island
of Viti Levu, in the Central Division, of which it is the administrative center. In 1877, it was
decided to make Suva the capital of Fiji when the geography of former main European
settlement at Levuka on the island of Ovalau proved too restrictive. The administration of
the colony was moved from Levuka to Suva in 1882. At the 1996 census, the last to date,
the city of Suva had a population of 77,366 . Including independent suburbs, the
population of the Greater Suva urban area was 167,975 at the same census.
Suva is the commercial and political centre of Fiji, and the largest urban area in the South
Pacific outside of Australia and New Zealand. It is Fiji's main port city.
Although Suva is on a peninsula, and almost surrounded by sea, the nearest beach is 40
kilometres (25 mi) 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, 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".
In return for a promise to pay off debts owed to the United States by the Bauan chieftain,
Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the Australian-based Polynesia Company was granted 5000 km²
of land, 575 km² of it near what was then the village of Suva, in 1868. The original intention
was to develop a cotton farming industry, but the land and climate proved unsuitable.
Following the annexation of the Fiji Islands by the United Kingdom in 1874, the colonial
authorities decided to move the capital to Suva from Levuka in 1877. The transfer was
made official in 1882. Colonel F.E. Pratt of the Royal Engineers was appointed
Surveyor-General in 1875 and designed the new capital, assisted by W. Stephens and
Colonel R.W. Stewart.
Following the promulgation of the Municipal Constitution Ordinance of 1909, Suva
acquired municipal status in 1910. The town initially comprised one square mile; these
boundaries remained intact until 1952 when the Muanikau and Samabula wards were
annexed, expanding its territory to 13 square kilometers. In October that year, Suva was
proclaimed a City - Fiji's first. Tamavua was subsequently annexed; the most recent
extension of the city boundaries has been to incorporate the Cunningham area to the
north of the city. Urban sprawl has resulted in a number of suburbs that remain outside of
the city limits; together with the city itself, they form a metropolitan area known as the
Greater Suva Area.
The city hosted the 2003 South Pacific Games, being the third time in the event's 40 year
history that they had been held in Suva. As part of the hosting of the event a new
gymnasium and indoor sports center, swimming pool and stadium, field hockey pitch and
stands were built in the area around Suva, funded by the government and a $16 million
People's Republic of China aid package
PLACE TO VISIT
Suva Municipal Market - Right in Suva town are these fruit and vegetable
markets. Sells all kinds of different tropical fruit and veges. Municipal Handicraft Centre To
the left of the fruit and vege markets are the Suva handicraft markets. Rows full of Fijian
wooden carvings, straw goods and Fijian handicraft souvenirs. Don't be afraid to barter
with the shop owners for a better price!
Fiji Museum - Situated next to the Botanical Gardens in Suva, the Fiji Museum founded in 1904 has a large collection of historical displays and artifacts from Fiji and the South Pacific.
University of the South Pacific (USP) - is a public university with a number of locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. It is an international centre for teaching and research on Pacific culture and environment. USP's academic programmes are recognised worldwide, attracting students and staff from throughout the Pacific Region and internationally.
Thurston Gardens - are the botanical gardens of Fiji. They used to be known as
the Suva Botanical Gardens but its name was changed in honour of the fifth Governor of
Fiji, Sir John Bates Thurston, who was Governor from February 1888 to March 1897. Thurston Gardens is located in central Suva, between Albert Park and the Government
House.
Suva Point - has large areasof sheltered intertidal mud and sand flats and a few isolated stands ofmangroves. It is the only suitable wader feeding ground for many kilometresin each direction. It is a popular spot for viewing sunrise and sunset
