VATUKOULA THE CITY OF GOLD Fiji lies in heart of the Pacific Ocean midway between the equator and the South Pole. Fijis exclusive economic zone containing approximately 330 islands, of which about 1/3 are inhabited, covers about 1.3 million square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean. There are 2 major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Other main islands are Taveuni, kadavu, Gau and Koro. Eighty three percent of the land is owned by indigenous Fijians while nine percent is state land and eight percent is free hold land. The capital of Fiji islands is Suva and it is one of the two cities in Fiji. The other city is Lautoka and both are located on the island of Viti Levu. Most of the islands are volcanic, remnants of sunken continent that stretched through Australia. This origin accounts for the mineral deposits on the main land masses (Rolyn 2003). Map of Fiji Islands
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VATUKOULA THE CITY OF GOLD
Fiji lies in heart of the Pacific Ocean midway between the equator and the South Pole.
Fijis exclusive economic zone containing approximately 330 islands, of which about 1/3
are inhabited, covers about 1.3 million square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean.
There are 2 major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Other main islands are Taveuni,
kadavu, Gau and Koro. Eighty three percent of the land is owned by indigenous Fijians
while nine percent is state land and eight percent is free hold land. The capital of Fiji
islands is Suva and it is one of the two cities in Fiji. The other city is Lautoka and both
are located on the island of Viti Levu. Most of the islands are volcanic, remnants of
sunken continent that stretched through Australia. This origin accounts for the mineral
deposits on the main land masses (Rolyn 2003).
Map of Fiji Islands
Source: http://www.fijiguide.com/
Fiji is represented by all the major religions of the world, as a multi racial and multi
cultural nation. More than half of the populations are Christian, others include Hindu,
Muslims, Chinese and Rotumans. English is the official language but Fijian and Hindi are
also taught in schools. Indigenous Fijians have their own dialects and Indians generally
have a Fiji Hindi dialect. Fijian customs reflect an utmost courtesy and dignity. There are
ceremonies for every occasion, which may include the presentation of tabua (whale’s
teeth), food or other gifts, or more commonly the drinking of yaqona (kava), the national
beverage.
Fiji has a tropical South sea maritime climate without great extremes of heat or cold. It’s
relatively stable due to the large expanse of ocean surrounding the islands. At all seasons
the predominating winds over Fiji are the Trade Winds from the east to south east.
VATUKOULA (TAVUA)
Getting There
There is no airstrip along the north coast so the only public transport is by bus or mini
van. Local buses from each town head along the dusty rural roads and some between the
local towns, stopping frequently along the way - to hail one on the roadside simply put
out your arm and flap your fingers. Otherwise, the best way to get around is by hiring a
carrier van or taxi found adjacent to the town’s bus stand.
BIOGEOGRAPHY
Tavua is a district in the Western Division on the North West coast of the island of Viti
Levu in Fiji. It is part of the province of Ba. It is situated some 20 kilometers by road
from Ba town. Its main economy is sugar cane, although the establishment of Tavua
township was the result of a gold mine in Vatukoula, which is in the interior of Viti Levu
but easily accessible from Tavua. A wharf, used by the mine, also exists at Vatia a few
kilometers near the coast. The wharf is of historical significance as it was used as the
main route of transportation from Suva to the western districts before the coastal road
was built. The area of Vatukoula is located in a volcanic caldera. Vatukoula is a gold
mining settlement, 9 kilometers inland from the Town of Tavua this developed from the
Tavua volcano forming at the intersection of the Viti Levu linement with the northwest
trending navisi shear zone. This volcano under went several generations of collapse to
form the Tavua caldera. This caldera later on leads to the formation of geographical
features such as the turtle pool and the Morrison pool formation. These areas are enriched
with different types of economic rocks sand stones, siltstones and plagioclase feldspar.
These areas also became a hotspot for studying mineralization and geology. The caldera
formations also lead to the mineralization of Tavua. Through which it became famous for
its major gold production in Fiji (Rolyn 2003). .
The highest mountain in Fiji is also located Tavua. Mount Tomanivi reaches an altitude
of 1324 m. According to some sources the altitude is though 1322 m. The peak is a part
of the mountain range that stretches from north to south and divides the island. The 2
great rivers of Fiji, the Rewa and the Sigatoka River originate on the slopes of Mt
Victoria. Mount Tomanivi has been created by volcanic activity. The cane fields climb
valleys to green mountain ridges with dramatic cliffs. Along the interior of Tavua is
located the Monasavu dam which supplies most of Viti Levu’s electrical power (Kerry
1969).
The area experiences a relatively dry climate. How ever there are local variations from
hot and dry to warm and wet. Since Tavua is on the lee ward side of the island it is much
drier with clear sky for most of the year and more variable temperatures and wind
direction. The nights in Vatukoula are cooler and the days are much warmer.