The Republic of Fiji Islands (or Fiji) lies in the South Pacific Ocean. It is made up of 332 islands, with a total landmass of 18,270 square kilometers (7,000 square miles). The land is mostly mountainous forest of volcanic origin. Fiji claims natural resources of timber, fish, gold, and copper. It has a population of about 833,000, made up of Fijians (51%), Fijian Indians (43%), and Europeans, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese, and mixed races (6%). Sugar exports and the tourist industry are the major sources of foreign exchange.

In 1865 Fiji's first constitution was drawn up and signed by seven paramount chiefs. The arrangement collapsed in 1867, and Fiji was ceded to Great Britain as a colony in 1874. It finally became independent in 1970. Two military coups occurred in 1987, and in 1990 a new constitution, which weighted government representation in favor of Fijians, came into effect. In 1997 the Constitution of the Sovereign Democratic Republic of Fiji, designed to balance...