Suva

Suva
Suva Skyline
Coat of arms
Suva within Fiji
Country	Fiji
Island	Viti Levu
Division	Central Division
Area
- City	790.7 sq mi (2,048 km2)
Population (2007)
- City	85,691
- Urban	172,399
Time zone	1200 GMT (UTC+12)

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, Rewa Province, of which it is the administrative centre. 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.

Suva is Fiji's political and administrative capital and home to almost half of the country's population. It's also the largest city in the South Pacific and has become an important regional centre; students from the Pacific region and a growing expatriate community make up a significant portion of the city's population.

At the 2007 census the city of Suva had a population of 85,691 [1]. Including independent suburbs, the population of the Greater Suva urban area was 172,399 at the 2007 census. [2]. Suva, along with the bordering cities of Lami, Nasinu and Nausori have a total urban population of around 326, 000, over a third of the nation's population. This urban complex is known also as the Suva-Nausori corridor (not including Lami).

History

Suva Central Business District in the 1940s

Suva Central Business District in the 1950s

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 [3].

Geography and Physical Characteristics

Satellite Image of Suva

Presidential Palace, Government House

Suva is the capital of Fiji and is a beautiful harbour city built on a peninsula reaching out into the sea. Its modern buildings are beautifully balanced by rich traditional colonial architecture.

The city is perched on a hilly peninsula between Laucala Bay and Suva Harbour in the southeast corner of Viti Levu. The mountains north and west catch the southeast trade winds, producing moist conditions year round.

Suva is the commercial and political centre of Fiji, though not necessarily the cultural centre, 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.

Central

The Central Business District Encompasses an area known as the Central Ward and one of Suva's Six wards Central occupies close to the whole south-western side of the Suva Peninsula.

City Wards

The City's Six Wards beginning from the City Centre itself, then North, then clockwise rotation.

• Central - City Centre, CBD, Nucleus of the City.
• Tamavua - Residential and Urban area.
• Cunningham - Semi-Urban and Residential Area.
• Nabua - Military Base, Urban, Residential, Separate Town Centre and Industrial Zone.
• Samabula - Urban, Residential, Separate Town Centre, University and Large Industrial Zones.
• Muanikau - Residential, Urban, Large Sporting Venues, University and Recreational Areas.

Climate

Suva features a tropical rainforest climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city sees a copious amount of precipitation during the course of the year. Suva averages 3,000 mm of precipitation annually with its driest month, July averaging 125 mm of rain per year. In fact, during all 12 months of the year, Suva receives substantial precipitation. Like many other cities with a tropical rainforest climate, temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year, with an average high of about 28°C and an average low of about 22°C.

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". The First Governor of Fiji, Sir Aurthur Gordon, allegedly remarked that it rained in Suva like he had seen no where else before and that there was hardly a day without rain.

Demographics of Suva

Suva is a multiracial and multicultural city. Indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians, the two principal ethnic groups of Fiji, comprise the bulk of Suva's population, but the city is also home to the majority of Fiji's ethnic minority populations, which include Caucasians (Europeans or Kaivalagi), Part-Europeans (of European and Fijian Descent) and Chinese, amongst others. The majority of expatriates working in Fiji are also based in Suva. The most widely spoken language is English, but Fijian, Hindustani, Cantonese, and other Indian languages are also spoken by their respective communities.

Municipal government

Suva has municipal status and is governed by a Lord Mayor and a 20-member city council. The Suva City Council is the municipal law-making body of the city of Suva, Fiji's capital. It consists of 20 Councillors, elected for three-year terms from four multi-member constituencies called wards. Councillors, who are elected by residents, landowners, and representatives of corporations owning or occupying ratable property in Suva, elect a Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor from among their own members; they serve one-year terms and are eligible for re-election. However, The current interim-government has reformed and restructured all municipal councils as of October, 2008 and the position of Mayor is now void. The position of Special administrator is currently in place, equivalent to that of mayor, but rather than elected, the administrator is selected by the Ministry of Local Government. Currently, Suva City's special administrator is Chandu Umaria, Former Lord Mayor and was responsible, in his term, for many of the city's beautification works.^[1]

Landmarks

Parliament House, Domain, Suva

Thurston Gardens, Suva

A well-known landmark is the Suva City Library or the Carnegie Library, built in 1909 as well as many other colonial buildings.

The Government buildings complex sits on what was once the flowing waters of a creek. This was drained in 1935 and over five kilometres of reinforced concrete pilings were driven into the creek bed to support the massive buildings to be erected. After the foundation stone was laid in 1937, the building was completed in 1939; a new wing was completed in 1967. Parliament, however, was moved to a new complex on Ratu Sukuna Road in 1992.

Government House was formerly the residence of Fiji's colonial Governors and, following independence in 1970, Governors-General. It is now the official residence of Fiji's President. Originally erected in 1882, it had to be rebuilt in 1928, following its destruction by lightning in 1921.

The Suva campus of the University of the South Pacific (USP) occupies what was once a New Zealand military base. It is the largest of the many USP campuses dotted throughout the South Pacific and the largest University in the Pacific islands outside Hawai'i.

The Fiji Museum, located in Thurston Gardens, was founded in 1904 and originally occupied the old town hall, but moved to its present location in 1954. The museum houses the most extensive collection of Fijian artefacts in the world, and is also a research and educational institution, specializing in archaeology, the preservation of Fiji's oral tradition, and the publication of material on Fiji's language and culture.

Suva has around 78 parks, these include the new Takashi Suzuki Garden, Apted Park at Suva Point which is a popular spot for viewing sunrise and sunset, Thurston Gardens which was opened in 1913 and has flora from throughout the South Pacific.

Suva also has many shopping and retail areas, notably Cumming street, which has since colonial times, been a vibrant and colourful shopping area. Features of these street include the original colonial buildings and narrow roads. More modern shopping malls, such as the Suva Central Shopping Mall, Mid-City Mall as well as the MHCC are all part of the developments to give the city a modern and sophisticated look. At the beginning of December 2009 the skyline of downtown Suva City has changed forever after the opening of TappooCity valued at $257,350.00 USD equality $50,000,000 FJD a joint venture 6 storey low rise building project by FNPF & Tappoo Group of Companies as Fiji's n South Pacific's largest department mall at present outside Australia & New Zealand.

Economy

Tanoa Plaza, Gordon Street, Suva

Unlike most cities and towns in Fiji and indeed many around the world, Suva did not grow around one industry but has gradually developed as a hub and one of the largest cities in Oceania. Suva is the commercial centre of Fiji with most Banks having their Pacific headquarters here, including ANZ and the Westpac Bank. Most national financial institutions, non-governmental organizations and government ministries and departments are also headquartered here.

A large part of Fiji's international shipping is conducted at Suva's Kings Wharf as well as docking of international cruise ships, which has led to a growth in Suva's tourism industry. Many services are provided in Suva and is the basis of Suva's industrial and commercial activity.

There are also large industrial areas, the largest being at Walu Bay, where there is a saturation of factories and warehouses and import and export companies. This area contains many shipyards for ship building and repairs as well as container yards. There is also a brewery and many printeries. Other notable industrial zones are located in Vatuwaqa, Raiwaqa and Laucala Beach.

There is also a large commercial and shopping scene in Suva with streets such as Cumming Street and Victoria Parade being popular. There are also many shopping complexes to visit and many markets. At one point Air Fiji was headquartered in Suva.^[2]

Institutions

Government Buildings, Suva CBD

Government House - The Presidential Palace

Suva is host to more international and regional intergovernmental agencies and NGOs than any other Pacific Island capital. Some of the bodies with a presence in Suva are:

• The TRAFFIC Oceania South Pacific Programme - funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is located in Suva, in the offices of the WWF South Pacific Programme. The programme assists in the implementation of CITES, but also strengthens collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature.
• The Fiji School of Medicine - which is now classed as a regional agency and a member of the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific.
• The Fiji School of Nursing.
• The University of the South Pacific which operates a campus in Suva as well as at other South Pacific locations.
• The Fiji Institute of Technology which is a major polytechnic in Fiji and caters students from many small Pacific Island nations. It also has centres in other Fiji towns of Nadi, Ba and Labasa.
• The Fiji College of Advanced Learning.
• TPAF (The Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji).
• The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).
• The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
• The South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission.
• St. John's Theological College.
• The Pacific Regional Seminary (PRS).
• Femmus School of Hospitality.
• Alliance Francaise.
• Greenpeace Pacific.
• UNDP Headquarters (Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Palau, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Niue, Nauru).
• Asian Development Bank Headquarters Pacifc

Entertainment

Suva Central Building

Suva is Host to many regional, National and Local events and has very developed and advanced venue options.

Venues

Suva has many multipurpose venues, the main ones being:

• The Vodafone Arena - Sits 4000 - 5000 people depending on configuration.
• The TFL National Stadium - Sits 30,000 people
• The Tattersalls Gymnasium Suva - Sits 2000
• The Civic Auditorium - sits 1000
• Albert Park - Stand-up concert and sporting venue

Parks and Gardens

Suva has a number of parks and a few gardens, Albert Park, in the City centre, famous as the stage for many national-historical events such as the Independence of Fiji, Landing by Kingsford Smith on the Southern Cross and many parades and carnivals. Sukuna Park, also in the CBD is a popular recreational park and has many performances and events on weekly schedules. The Thurston Gardens, is the city's main botanical garden and in it sits the Fiji Museum. Queen Elizabeth drive is also popular as a scenic walk along Suva's foreshore.

Music

Many concerts are held in Suva, some coming from other countries to enjoy world class performances that happen in the city. Concerts and shows are usually staged at one of the above mentioned venues on a monthly basis.

Food

Suva offers a varied and interesting culinary experience where almost every if not all major cuisines are represented. Particularly popular cuisines are Chinese, Indian, Fijian and Italian.

Festivals

During the course of the year, various arts, music and trade festivals are held in Suva, albeit on a small scale. There are a few large and notable festivals that occur annually and these include the Hibiscus Festival (Largest carnival in the south pacific islands), the New Years Street Party, and the 'Fiji Show Case' a tradeshow that includes carnival rides, food as well as magic and circus performances.

Cinema

Suva has one main cinema complex, Village Six, owned by the Damodar Brothers, in downtown Suva. The Regal and Phoenix theatres, once prominent cinema/ theatre haunts before the new millennium, have since closed down.

Sports

Suva plays host to many Regional and National Sporting events. A special highlight is the Coca-Cola Games, the largest secondary school athletics meet in the world.

Television

Headquartered in Suva are the Two main National Television Stations, Fiji TV and MAI TV. Also Sky Pacific, a payed satellite television company is headquartered here.

Transportation

Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral, Gordon Street, Suva

Nausori International Airport caters mainly to the domestic market,connecting Suva with Fiji's other international airport, Nadi International Airport, and also serves smaller international aircraft, at one time servicing Brisbane and Sydney routes. Beginning in August, 2010, Air Pacific will operate a twice weekly flight from Nausori International Airport to Auckland, New Zealand to complement its 13 weekly flights to Auckland. It also provides services to its immediate Pacific neighbours Tonga and Tuvalu as well as the dependency of Rotuma

Suva also has a public transport system,consisting of buses and taxis servicing the metropolitan Suva area as well as the cities of Nasinu, Nausori and Lami town. There are also bus services connecting Suva with other towns and cities on Viti levu by way of either the Kings, Queens or Princess Highways, all originating within Suva, although the latter terminates at Rewa bridge in Nausori. Also for domestic ferry services from the Princess Wharf to the outer islands of Fiji as well as Vanua Levu. International Ships and Cruise Liners Dock at Suva's Kings Wharf.

Images

CBD at Night	Ratu Sukuna Memorial, Government Buildings	Southern end of the Suva Peninsula	Walu Bay Industrial Zone, Seen from Samabula Ward
Suva Waterfront	Sacred Heart Cathedral, Suva	Kings Wharf, Walu Bay, Suva	Suva Harbour Sunset

Notable residents and/or people from Suva

This is a list of famous people who are either currently living in, or are originally from Suva.

• Craig Parker, notable New Zealand actor.
• Waisale Serevi, Fiji Rugby Team.
• Petero Civoniceva (born in Suva), Australian rugby league player.
• Malakai Tuiloa, plays for the Fiji national rugby league team.
• Semi Tadulala, plays rugby union for Gloucester Rugby in England and Fiji in rugby union previously a rugby league player for Melbourne Storm, Bradford Bulls and the Fiji national rugby league team.
• Sitiveni Sivivatu, Fijian rugby union player for Chiefs
• Josua Koroibulu, plays rugby league for the Fiji national rugby league team.
• Lote Tuqiri, played rugby union for the Australian national rugby union team.
• Kansarji Bhindi, founder of Bhindi Jewelers

Sister cities

• Beihai, Guangxi, People's Republic of China^[3]
• Tapei, Taiwan
• Brighton, East Sussex, United Kingdom

Notes

References

• Fiji, by Korina Miller, Robyn Jones, Leonardo Pinheiro - Travel - 2003, published by Lonely Planet, pages 139-141, details on Suva City.
• The Suva City Library: A Brief History and Development, 1909–1980, by S Baksh - 1980
• Pluralism and Social Change in Suva City, Fiji, by Alexander Mamak - 1974, Thesis/dissertation; Ethnology (Fiji, Suva City); Suva City, Fiji Islands (Social conditions)
• A History of the Pacific Islands: Passages Through Tropical Time - Page 162, by Deryck Scarr 2001 - 323 pages.
• Frommer's South Pacific, by Bill Goodwin - Travel - 2004, pages 258-263

External links

• Suva travel guide from Wikitravel
• Suva City Council (official website)

Political divisions of Fiji Divisions Central · Eastern · Northern · Western Provinces Ba · Bua · Cakaudrove · Kadavu · Lau · Lomaiviti · Macuata · Nadroga Navosa · Naitasiri · Namosi · Ra · Rewa · Serua · Tailevu Dependency Rotuma Cities Lautoka · Suva Towns Ba · Labasa · Lami · Levuka · Nadi  · Nasinu · Nausori · Savusavu · Sigatoka · Tavua