Viti Levu (IPA: ^*) is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji covering an area of 10,388 km² and spanning 146 kilometers long by 106 kilometers wide. In all of Oceania, apart from Tasmania and the North and South Islands of New Zealand, Viti Levu is bettered in size only by Hawaii Island and New Caledonia.

Geography and economic activities

Geologists believe that Viti Levu has been submerged a number of times, and has been covered by lava and other volcanic materials. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions account for the somewhat rugged terrain of the island, which is divided into roughly equal halves by a north-south mountain range. The eastern side of the island experiences heavy rainfall, while the western side is much more arid. Accordingly, sugar cane production thrives in the west, while a dairy industry is being built in the east. Fiji's biggest cattle ranch, with 7000 head of cattle in its 70 square kilometres, is at Yaqara, halfway between Tavua and Rakiraki.

The centre of the island is forested and includes the nation's highest peak Tomanivi (otherwise Mt. Victoria) rising to 1,324 meters.

The island is the only known home of one of the world's largest insects, the Giant Fijian Long-Horned Beetle.

Localities

Viti Levu hosts the capital city of Suva, and is home to nearly three quarters of the population of the Republic (about 580,000). Other important towns, all around the coast, include Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Nausori, Rakiraki, and Sigatoka. One major road has been built around the perimeter of Viti Levu.

Well-known localities include Natadola Beach, Pacific Harbour (a high class resort 50 kilometers from Suva)

Politics

Eight of Fiji's fourteen Provinces are in Viti Levu. The Provinces of Ba, Nadroga-Navosa, and Ra comprise the Western Division, while Naitasiri, Namosi, Rewa, Serua, and Tailevu form the Central Division. In part because of its high concentration of Indo-Fijians, whose ancestors came mostly as indentured workers from India between 1879 and 1916, the political dynamics of western Viti Levu are somewhat different from those of eastern Viti Levu, where, apart from the multi-racial urban areas, indigenous Fijians are more heavily concentrated.

History

Viti Levu is believed to have been inhabited longer than the northern island of Vanua Levu. According to oral traditions, the first Melanesian settlers landed at Vuda Point and established Viseisei, believed to be Fiji's oldest settlement, nearby.

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