It would amaze you to know that History of Fiji dates back to the prehistoric times, starting from 1500 BC. To have a better understanding of the History of Fiji, we have categorized it into Prehistory of Fiji and Modern History of Fiji. According to popular legends, the island of Fiji was first discovered by the great chieftain Lutunasobasoba, who led his people across the seas to this new island. Thereafter, the Melanesians and the Polynesians together created a highly developed hierarchical society here, long before this island was accidentally discovered by the Europeans.

History of Fiji: Prehistory (1500 BC - 1820)
In 1500 BC, Fiji was settled by Polynesian seafarers, who along with Melanesian seafarers and the Polynesian inhabitants gave rise to the modern Fijian people. While Vanua Levu Island and northern Taveuni were sighted by the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1643 AD, Vatoa was first visited by the English navigator James Cook in 1774. Most of the Europeans who first arrived in Fiji were shipwrecked sailors and runaway convicts from the Australian penal settlements.The discovery of sandalwood on Vanua Levu in 1804 aroused international interest in Fiji and sandalwood traders and missionaries arrived in Fiji by the mid 19th century. Beche-de-mer or sea cucumber trade in Fiji began in 1820. Most of the earliest recordings of Fiji were done by Captain William Bligh who sailed through this group of islands after the mutiny on the Bounty in 1789.

History of Fiji: Modern History
The indigenous community and the newly arrived Europeans shared a good relation that was established on the basis of a mutually beneficial commercial activity. However, their relations turned sour right after the establishment of plantations in the 1860s due to conflicts regarding the issue of ownership of the land. This led to an imperial invasion and Fiji became a British colony in 1874. Fiji ultimately achieved the status of an independent country in 1970 and was able to stabilize its government by 1998, the same year when its constitution was drafted that allows for a bicameral legislature.

Authentic online information on History of Fiji and Fiji Travel and Tours offered only at travel.mapsofworld.