Its gorgeous coral reefs, lush islands, and cerulean seas make Fiji the kind of South Pacific paradise many of us dreamed of, and dream still. Its one-of-a-kind mix of cultures and influences add to its joys.

• TOTAL AREA: 18,270 sq km

• LAND AREA: 18,270 sq km

• WATER AREA: 0 sq km

• POPULATION: 905,949

• RELIGIONS: Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2%

• LANGUAGES: English (official), Fijian, Hindustani

• GOVERNMENT TYPE: Republic

• CAPITAL CITY: Suva

• OFFICIAL CURRENCY: Fijian dollar (FJD)

• TIME ZONE: GMT/UTC +12