10 October: Fiji Independence Day

Fiji's Independence from the UK happened on this date in 1970. Here are 10 things you might not know about Fiji:

1. Fiji consists of over 332 islands. 110 are permanently inhabited. There are more than 500 islets, amounting to a total land area of about 18,300 square kilometres (7,100 sq mi). It has 702 miles of coastline. The two biggest islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. 87% of the population lives on these two islands.
2. According to Fijian mythology, Fiji's history began in 1500 BC when giant war canoes arrived from Taganika north of Egypt, carrying Chief Lutunasobasoba and treasure from King Solomon's Temple of in Judah, including a box called the "Kato," meaning case, and "Mana," meaning Magic, which in Fijian translates to "Box of Blessings." The box fell into the sea in the Mamnuca islands, and Lutunasobasoba gave the command not to retrieve it, but his General Degei went back later and tried. He didn't get the box, but did retrieve a large diamond from outside the box. He was immediately cursed and transformed into a Snake with a diamond on his head for all eternity and is trapped in an ocean cave in Sawa-i-lau in the Yasawas. Fijians believe the box is still on the sea bed between Likuliku and Mana and has brought great blessings to the area's villages.
3. Vitu Levu has both the capital city, Suva, and the highest point, Mount Tomanivi at 4,344 feet/1324 metres.
4. The International Date Line runs through Fiji’s island of Taveuni, so there is a spot where you can have one foot in today and one in yesterday.
5. In Fijian villages, only the chief is allowed to wear a hat or Sunglasses, because the top of the head is sacred and mustn't be touched.
6. The people of Fiji are friendly, welcoming and peaceful now, but up until the 19th century it was a different story. They used to be cannibals. Part of their war tradition involved cooking up the bodies of enemies slain in battle, and eating them at festivals, such as the installation of chiefs or the launching of a great canoe. The last victim of cannibalism in Fiji was a missionary, the Reverend Thomas Baker in 1867. He accidentally touched the chief's head, which to the villagers, amounted to a declaration of war. All that was left of him was his Shoe, which is on display in a museum in Fiji. In 2003, the tribe responsible for eating the Reverend Baker apologised to his family.
7. Boiled Bat is a delicacy in Fiji so perhaps the only person who need worry about being eaten there now is Batman!
8. Fiji has 28 airports, but only four of them have paved runways.
9. The term Fijian refers only to the indigenous people - citizens of Fiji are officially known as Fiji Islanders or Fiji Nationals. Only 54% of the population is Fijian. Another large group is people of Indian descent who make up 40%. These people are descended from the Indian servants the British brought with them in the 19th century.
10. On  New Year's Eve, Fiji village women play a team game called veicaqemoli, or “kick the Orange”. The winners are required to give the losers gifts of new clothes.