History of Fiji

Part of a series on the
History of Fiji
Early history
Discovery of Fiji The rise and fall of Cakobau Colonial Fiji
Modern history
Dominion of Fiji Constitutional crisis of 1977 Coups of 1987 Military–church relations COVID-19 pandemic
Coup of 2000
Timeline Mutinies Ratu Mara resigns Trials Court Martial
Proposed Reconciliation Commission
Supporters Opponents Qualified positions Military opposition Religious reaction International reaction
Crisis of 2005–2006
Timeline Reaction Unrest in 2006
Coup of 2006
Constitutional crisis of 2009
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Part of a series on the
Culture of Fiji
History Heads of state Cakobau period Colonial period Governors Modern history 1977 crisis 1987 coups Military–church relations 2000 coup Reconciliation Commission 2005–2006 crisis 2006 coup 2009 crisis
People
Languages
Cuisine
Religion
Art
Literature
Music
Media Radio Cinema
Sport
Monuments World Heritage Sites
Symbols Flag Coat of arms National anthem
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The majority of Fiji's islands were formed through volcanic activity starting around 150 million years ago. Today, some geothermic activity still occurs on the islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni.^[1] Fiji was settled first by the Lapita culture, around 1,500–1,000 years BC, followed by a large influx of people with predominantly Melanesian genetics about the time of the beginning of the Common Era. Europeans visited Fiji from the 17th century,^[2] and, after a brief period as an independent kingdom, the British established the Colony of Fiji in 1874. Fiji was a Crown colony until 1970, when it gained independence as the Dominion of Fiji. A republic was declared in 1987, following a series of coups d'état.

In a coup in 2006, Commodore Frank Bainimarama seized power. When the High Court ruled in 2009 that the military leadership was unlawful, President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, whom the military had retained as the nominal Head of State, formally abrogated the Constitution and reappointed Bainimarama. Later in 2009, Iloilo was replaced as president by Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.^[3] After years of delays, a democratic election was held on 17 September 2014. Bainimarama's FijiFirst party won with 59.2% of the vote, and the election was deemed credible by international observers.^[4]