History & Archives
About Suva
Some 300+ islands, scattered at near distances, make up the small country of Fiji Islands, a land alive with exuberant multi-culture and tradition, beautiful sun bathed beaches and pristine surrounding.
Suva, which is the capital of Fiji, is located in the Central Province on Southeast coast of the second largest island and is also the most well-known metropolitan in the South Pacific Region, apart from Auckland in New Zealand, and has been renowned for that through the University of the South Pacific which mostly accommodates expatriate learners, thus creating a compelling portion of the city’s populace. Along with the surrounding suburbs, Lami, Nasinu and Nausori, Suva has a total population of around 350,000, a third of the Nation’s population.
The city sits on a raised mass of land between Laucala Bay and Suva Harbour. The mountains North and West are exposed to the Southeast trade winds, harvesting moist conditions all year around. A significant part of Suva, including the old Parliament buildings is built on reclaimed land. Although it is almost completely surrounded by the sea, the nearest beach is 25miles away, at the adventure capital, Pacific Harbour.
Unfortunately, the city itself does not have a beach which complements the beautiful scenery surrounding it, but, one can travel about 20 minutes further along the coast and find many spots for the occasional picnic or late afternoon stroll, enjoying the sunset dipping into the vast ocean, illuminating colors which you won’t enjoy at such a wondrous scale near any other city in the world.
Stories of the City
Seru Epenisa Cakobau, Chieftain hailing from the island of Bau, granted the Polynesia Company 5000sq km of land, 575sq km of which was near the then village of Suva, in 1868. This was due to his promise to pay off his debt owed to United States, after Fijians stole US Commercial Agent, Consul William’s possessions, when his house burnt down. Apparently, the original loss of goods estimated to ten times less than what the consul demanded in compensation, at the time of his death. And the entire blame was put on the chief, thus him having to borrow a loan from a third party, since he did not know how to handle matters of debt.
The original plan for the land had been to develop a cotton farming industry. However, the climate and land deemed unsuitable.
After the annexation of Fiji by United Kingdom in 1874, Suva was colonized in 1882. The appointment was made when the old capital; Levuka, was deemed geographically restrictive.
After the promulgation of the Municipal Constitution Ordinance of 1909, Suva acquired Municipal Status in 1910. The town initially comprised 1 sq mile, until 1952 when Muanikau and Samabula wards were annexed, expanding its territory to 13 sq km. Suva was then claimed in that year as Fiji’s first capital.
Suva City Council
Suva City Council creates an beautiful and boisterous city with a clean and harmless public environment, invest in new developments, buildings and better parking provisions.
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