Viti Levu

Lore & Background

Viti Levu lies in a tectonically complex area between the Australian plate and the Pacific plate. The Fiji Platform sits within a zone bordered by active extension fault lines: the Fiji Fracture Zone (FFZ) to the north; the 176° Extension Zone (176°E EZ) to the west; and the Hunter fracture zone (HFZ) and Lau Ridge to the east. Most shallow earthquakes in the area centre around these faults. The oldest rocks belong to the Wainimala group from the Eocene and Early Miocene epochs, composed of volcanic flows and volcaniclastics grading from basalt to trachyte and rhyolite. This group is found south of Nadi, including on peaks Koromba (3,528 feet) and Natambumgguto (1,242 feet), and extends down to Sigatoka and almost to Lodoni, including peaks Tuvutau (3,060 feet) and Tikituru (3,071 feet). The group is intruded by the Tholo Plutonics, stocks of tonalite, granodiorite, gabbro and diorite. Mio-Pliocene sandstones and marl of the Suva group appear mainly in river valleys like those of the Nadi River and Navua River. The Plio-Pleistocene Mba group in the north consists of porphyritic basalt flows and volcaniclastics grading into greywacke, and includes peaks Koroyanitu (3,921 feet), Malua (3,294 feet), Monavatu (3,708 feet), Mount Tomanivi (4,341 feet), and Ndelamendamu (2,540 feet). It extends along the eastern coast almost to Nausori and includes the Emperor Mine near Vatukoula. The island is the only known home of the Giant Fijian long-horned beetle, one of the world's largest insects. Eight of Fiji's fourteen provinces are on Viti Levu: Ba, Nadroga-Navosa, and Ra in the Western Division; Naitasiri, Namosi, Rewa, Serua, and Tailevu in the Central Division. Western Viti Levu has a high concentration of Indo-Fijians, many descended from indentured workers who arrived between 1879 and 1916, while eastern Viti Levu has a high concentration of indigenous Fijians, except in urban areas which are more racially diverse.

Reader's Guide

Viti Levu is the largest and most populous island in Fiji, serving as the hub of the entire Fijian archipelago. It is home to the capital city of Suva and nearly three-quarters of the population of the Republic of Fiji (about 580,000 people). Other important coastal towns include Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Nausori, Rakiraki, and Sigatoka. Well-known localities include Natadola Beach (with the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa, Natadola Beach Resort, and Yatule Beach Resort) and Pacific Harbour, a resort centre about 50 kilometres from Suva. A single major road runs around the perimeter of the island. Sugar cane production thrives in the drier west, while a dairy industry is being developed in the wetter east. Fiji's largest cattle ranch, with 7,000 head of cattle on 70 square kilometres (17,000 acres), is at Yaqara between Tavua and Rakiraki. The island is susceptible to climate change: it is estimated that the compound effects of sea level rise and storm surge may result in temporary relocation of up to 6.75% of the island's population, predominantly in the northern and western parts. Ferry service provided by the Patterson Brothers Shipping Company connects Viti Levu to the rest of the islands. Nadi International Airport on the northwest side is the principal airport in Fiji; Nausori International Airport on the southeast side serves Suva with service from three domestic commercial passenger airlines.

Did You Know?

• Viti Levu is the only known home of the Giant Fijian long-horned beetle, one of the world's largest insects.
• The island's western side is colloquially called the 'burning west' because it lies in the rain shadow of the central mountain range.
• Fiji's largest cattle ranch, with 7,000 head of cattle on 70 square kilometres, is at Yaqara between Tavua and Rakiraki.
• The oldest rocks on Viti Levu belong to the Wainimala group from the Eocene and Early Miocene epochs.
• Up to 6.75% of Viti Levu's population may be exposed to temporary relocation due to the compound effects of sea level rise and storm surge.

Geological Foundations and Tectonic Complexity

Viti Levu lies in a tectonically complex area between the Australian plate and the Pacific plate. The Fiji Platform is bordered by active extension fault lines: the Fiji Fracture Zone (FFZ) to the north; the 176° Extension Zone (176°E EZ) to the west; and the Hunter fracture zone (HFZ) and Lau Ridge to the east. Most shallow earthquakes in the area centre around these faults. The oldest rocks on the island belong to the Wainimala group from the Eocene and Early Miocene epochs, made up of volcanic flows and volcaniclastics grading from basalt to trachyte and rhyolite. This group is found south of Nadi, including on peaks Koromba (3,528 feet) and Natambumgguto (1,242 feet), and extends down to Sigatoka, almost to Lodoni, including peaks Tuvutau (3,060 feet) and Tikituru (3,071 feet), and along the southern coast almost to Nausori. The group is intruded by the Tholo Plutonics, which consist of similar-age stocks of tonalite, granodiorite, gabbro and diorite. Mio-Pliocene sandstones and marl of the Suva group are found mainly in river valleys such as those formed by the Nadi River and Navua River. The Plio-Pleistocene Mba group in the northern portion of the island consists of porphyritic basalt flows and volcaniclastics grading into greywacke, and includes peaks Koroyanitu (3,921 feet), Malua (3,294 feet), Monavatu (3,708 feet), Mount Tomanivi (4,341 feet), and Ndelamendamu (2,540 feet). It extends along the eastern coast almost to Nausori and includes the Emperor Mine near Vatukoula.

Climate, Agriculture, and Unique Ecology

The north-south mountain range that divides Viti Levu creates two distinct climates. The eastern side experiences heavy rainfall, particularly in the mountains, and is home to Fiji's tropical moist forests. The western side, colloquially called the "burning west," lies in the mountain range's rain shadow and is noticeably drier, home to Fiji's tropical dry forests. Accordingly, sugar cane production thrives in the west, while a dairy industry is being developed in the east. Fiji's largest cattle ranch, with 7,000 head of cattle on 70 square kilometres (17,000 acres), is at Yaqara, midway between Tavua and Rakiraki. The island of Viti Levu is the only known home of one of the world's largest insects, the Giant Fijian long-horned beetle. The island is susceptible to the effects of climate change. It is estimated that the compound effects of sea level rise and storm surge may result in a temporary relocation of a relatively high number of inhabitants, predominantly in the northern and western parts, with an exposure of up to 6.75% of the island's population in the future.

Political Geography and Ethnic Composition

Eight of Fiji's fourteen provinces are on 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. The island is home to the capital city of Suva and to nearly three-quarters of the population of the Republic of Fiji (about 580,000 people). Other important towns and cities spread along the coast include Ba, Lautoka, Nadi, Nausori, Rakiraki, and Sigatoka. The political dynamics of western Viti Levu are somewhat different from those of eastern Viti Levu, in part because western Viti Levu has a high concentration of Indo-Fijians (many of whose ancestors came to the island from India as indentured workers between 1879 and 1916), whereas eastern Viti Levu has a high concentration of indigenous Fijians (except in its urban areas, which are more racially diverse).

Early Settlement and Modern Connectivity

Viti Levu is believed to have been inhabited longer than the island of Vanua Levu, which lies to its north. According to oral tradition, the first Melanesian settlers landed at Vuda Point and established Viseisei as Fiji's first oldest settlement. There is archaeological evidence contradicting this account. In the modern era, ferry service provided by the Patterson Brothers Shipping Company connects Viti Levu to the rest of the islands. Nadi International Airport, on the island's northwest side, is the principal airport in Fiji. Nausori International Airport, on the southeast side, serves the city of Suva and has service from three domestic commercial passenger airlines.