Geography

Located in the South Pacific Ocean, some 1,300 miles (2,000 km) northeast of New Zealand's North Island, the island nation of Fiji is comprised of more than 332 islands, of which 110 are inhabited, and an additional 500 islets.

The two largest islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, and between the two of them make up 87% of Fiji's total landmass.

These mountainous islands were formed around 150 million years ago through volcanic activity, and are subsequently covered in thick tropical forests. Most of Fiji's mountains are dormant or extinct volcanoes.

Mount Tomanivi, located on the main island of Viti Levu, is the highest point at 4,341 feet (1,324 m), and the lowest point is the Pacific Ocean (0 m).

Perhaps what Fiji is most famous for, however, are its crystal clear waters, coral reefs and white sand beaches that draw in thousands annually.

Geography and Landforms of Oceania

Note: The information tabled directly above was researched by and provided by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.

What is Geography

Geography is the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, in addition to the human activity that affects these. Geography is the nature and relative arrangement of places and physical features.

Landforms

Earth's surface has been modified over millions of years by a combination of geological processes that include, but are not limited to, the uplift of mountain ranges, the growth of volcanoes, and the formation of drainage basins (in which the surface of the landscape drops and is filled with eroded material). Landforms are categorized by a number of physical attributes including rolling plains, broad valleys, deserts, coastlines, and the slope and elevation of mountains.

Rivers

Rivers are natural courses of water, usually freshwater, that flow towards an ocean, lake or sea, or sometimes into another river. In certain instances, rivers will either flow into the ground or dry up completely before reaching a larger body of water. River water is collected from precipitation, groundwater recharge, and the release of stored water in ice and snowpacks.

Lakes

Lakes are inland bodies of water that are fed and drained by rivers; there are also artificial lakes, constructed for industrial or agricultural use, hydro-electric power, domestic water supply, or simply for aesthetic purposes. Generally, lakes are considered to be temporary over geologic time scales, as they slowly fill in with sediments.

Mountains

Formed through tectonic forces or volcanism, mountains stretch and tower thousands of feet above the surrounding land.