Government
Fiji is a republic governed by the 1998 constitution. The Westminster-style government has a 71-member parliament of 23 Fijians, 19 Indians, 1 Rotuman, 3 general electors (anyone who's a Fijian, Indian, or Rotuman), and 25 open seats which any citizen can hold. The Great Council of Chiefs picks the country's largely figurehead president, who presides over an appointed senate with relatively little power.
Economy
Tourism is far and away Fiji's largest and most profitable industry, and it keeps getting larger every year. High demand for the country's supply of rooms has spurred a hotel construction boom, which in turn has driven up the cost of real estate, particularly in the tourist areas. On the other hand, sugar and garment manufacturing -- two more of Fiji's economic mainstays -- have not kept pace. Grown primarily by Indian farmers, the sugar cane is harvested between June and November and crushed in five aging sugar mills operated by the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; all the mills need repair and upgrading. The number of farmers has decreased since Fijian landowners have not renewed many of their land leases (some displaced farmers have moved into shanties around Suva). In addition, favorable import duties on both sugar and garments produced in Fiji have been, or are soon to be, withdrawn by the European Union, the United States, and Australia.
While Nadi and the Coral Coast have seen gains, unemployment is a persistent problem elsewhere. More than half the population is under 25, and there just aren't enough jobs being created for youngsters coming into the workforce. About 50% of all households live below the official poverty line or just above it. As a consequence, the country has seen a marked increase in burglaries, robberies, and other crimes.
Gold mining on northern Viti Levu also contributes to the economy, as do fishing, copra, timber, garments, furniture, coffee (you'll get a rich, strong brew throughout the country), and other consumer goods produced by small manufacturers (the Colgate toothpaste you buy in Fiji is made here). Fiji is also a major trans-shipment point for goods destined for other South Pacific islands.
