Why is Suva the capital of Fiji?
About Suva In 1877, it was decided to make Suva the capital of Fiji when the geography of the former main European settlement at Levuka on the island of Ovalau proved too restrictive. The administration of the colony was moved from Levuka to Suva in 1882.
What was the capital of Fiji before Suva?
Levuka
Why was the capital moved to Suva?
In 1877, the colonial authorities decided to move the capital to Suva from Levuka, Ovalau, Lomaiviti, because Levuka’s location between a steep mountain and the sea made any expansion of the town impractical.
Why was Levuka the first capital of Fiji?
Ships and sailors visited and Levuka turned into a rowdy place. Local chiefs had trouble maintaining control. In 1874 the king of Fiji “Tui Cakobau” and his fellow chiefs ceded the islands to the queen and Fiji became a British colony on 10 October 1874 and Levuka became Fijis’ first capital.
Why is Levuka historical port town important?
Criterion (ii): Levuka Historical Port Town exhibits the important interchange of human values and cultural contact that took place as part of the process of European maritime expansion over the 19th century in the geo-cultural region of the Pacific Islands.
When was Suva was capital of Fiji?
Founded in 1849, Suva became the capital in 1882 and was made a city in 1952; it is now one of the largest urban centres in the South Pacific islands.
When did Suva become the capital of Fiji?
Suva, capital, chief port, and commercial centre of Fiji, in the South Pacific Ocean. The city lies on the southeast coast of Viti Levu, Fiji’s principal island. Founded in 1849, Suva became the capital in 1882 and was made a city in 1952; it is now one of the largest urban centres in the South Pacific islands.
What history does Levuka have?
Founded by traders and settlers as early as 1830, Levuka was the first permanent European settlement in the Pacific islands. In the 19th century, the small town flourished and attracted cotton and coconut planters, sandalwood and Bêche-de-Mer traders. Merchants arrived to set up shops, bars, and hotels.
What is the old capital of Fiji?
Levuka
Why was the capital moved from Levuka to Suva?
In 1877, it was decided to make Suva the capital of Fiji when the geography of the former main European settlement at Levuka on the island of Ovalau proved too restrictive. The administration of the colony was moved from Levuka to Suva in 1882.
Where is the old capital of Fiji?
Levuka
Which island was the old capital of Fiji in?
Levuka is a town on the eastern coast of the Fijian island of Ovalau, in Lomaiviti Province, in the Eastern Division of Fiji. Prior to 1877, it was the capital of Fiji.
What is Levuka famous for?
Levuka is famous for many of Fiji’s firsts.” It was the site of Fiji’s first bank post office school private members club hospital town hall and municipal government. Fiji’s first newspaper the Fiji Times which is still in operation today was founded in Levuka in 1869.
How did Suva get its name?
The name Suva comes from the mound on which the temple of Ro Vonu stood and in which was concealed the sacred stone of Vatubulia brought from Vatuwaqa. The concentrated European settlement where the first store and hotel was built was near Nubukalou creek and was simply known as Nubukalou.
What was Fiji originally called?
They called their home Viti, but the Tongans called it Fisi, and it is by this foreign pronunciation, Fiji, first promulgated by Cook, that these islands are now known. After the explorers, other Europeans followed.