A hugely popular vacation destination, Fiji today has the distinction of being one of the friendliest places on earth. The natives here are known for their warm smiles and cheerful mannerisms, making this tiny island nation a great place to relax, and enjoy the pristine natural beauty found both above and below the sea. Formed as a result of volcanic activity that occurred over 150 million years ago, Fiji has a fascinating and intriguing history that is worth looking into while you tour these gorgeous islands.

Known as Viti before the arrival of the Europeans, Fiji was inhabited by a blend of Melanesian, Polynesian and Micronesian people who settled here over 3500 years ago. Around 1500 BC, the Lapita people also settled on Viti and brought with them their own culture and traditions. Fijians lived in relative harmony for a long period of time till around 2500 years ago when the population began to expand and tribal feuding broke out resulting in many intertribal wars and even cannibalism.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Europeans began to explore much of the South Pacific and in 1643 Abel Tasman, who had set sail for Indonesia was the first to spot Fiji.

Although he did not visit the mainland, he described his journey past the treacherous reefs of Vanua Levu and Taveuni, which resulted in many sailors avoiding this region altogether. For the next 130 years no Europeans visited Fiji till Captain James Cook came here in 1774, stopping at the island of Vatoa in the Lau Group. In 1789, Captain William Bligh also set foot on Fiji after the famous ‘mutiny on the Bounty’.

Soon the Europeans began to trade in this region with many merchants coming here to buy fragrant sandalwood and beche-de-mer or sea cucumbers. This trade had a significant impact on the indigenous population, especially with the introduction of firearms and gun powder to the locals. In 1871 King Cakabau tried to form a western style of government in Fiji, but upon failing to do so, he along with 12 other tribal chiefs ceded Fiji to the British in 1874.

With the advent of colonialism in Fiji, Indian laborers from the Asian Subcontinent were brought to work in the many sugar plantations on the islands. Today, these Indians form an integral part of the population, with around 44% of Fijians having Indian ancestry. Controlled by the British until 1969, Fiji became an independent nation on October 10, 1970, after 96 years of colonial rule. An independent republic, Fiji currently is facing some political strife; however, do not let this deter you from coming here and enjoying a truly memorable vacation.