The Republic of Fiji in the South Pacific
The Republic of Fiji in the South Pacific Today’s Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features Viti Levu, the largest island of Fiji in the South Pacific Ocean.
The island is centered around forests and mountains. The highest peak is Mount Tomanivi, which reaches over 4,300 feet.
The western portion of Viti Levu, which is visible in the photograph, is drier than the eastern side of the island because it is located in the “rain shadow” of the mountains.
One of the largest insects in the world, the giant Fijian long-horned beetle, can be found on Viti Levu. This beetle grows up to about 15 centimeters long. But what makes this South Pacific archipelago especially amazing is that, unlike many other tropical locales, Fiji is truly a year-round destination. These peaceful and slow-paced islands draw visitors from all over the world for snorkeling, diving, hiking or simply soaking up the sunshine — all activities..Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific. The country is made up of over 300 islands, of which 110 are inhabited. The two main Fijian Islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for 87% of the population of almost 850,000. The capital of Fiji is Suva, situated on Viti Levu.
The Republic of Fiji consists of more than 300 island, and these low-lying coastal areas are severely threatened by sea-level rise.
Image Credit: ESA
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By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Staff Writer
