Editing Suva

{{short description|Capital and largest city of Fiji}}
{{other uses}}
{{refimprove|date = March 2023}}
{{EngvarB|date = January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Suva
| native_name              = {{nativename|hif|सुवा}}
| other_name               = 
| settlement_type          = [[Capital city]]<!--For Town or Village (Leave blank for the default City)-->
| image_skyline            = {{multiple image
  | border                 = infobox
  | total_width            = 290
  | image_style            = border:1;
  | perrow                 = 2/2 2/2 2/2
  | image1      = Suva, Fiji 76.jpg
  | image2      = Suva, Fiji 77.jpg
  | image3      = Parliament Suva MatthiasSuessen-8477.jpg
  | image4      = Southern Waterfront, Suva.jpg
  | image5      = Government Buildings Suva MatthiasSuessen-8446.jpg
  | image6      = WG Plaza Tower Suva 2023.jpg
 }}
| image_caption            = Suva Harbour, Central Business District, [[Government Buildings, Suva|Government Buildings]], [[WG Friendship Plaza Suva]]
| image_flag               = Suva City Flag.png
| flag_size                = 
| image_seal               =
| seal_size                = 
| image_shield             = SUVA City Council Logo.jpg
| shield_size              = 100px
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = ''Valataka na Dina'' (Fight for the Right)
| image_map                = Fiji_map.png
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Suva within Fiji
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = 
| pushpin_map              = <!--the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map-->
| pushpin_label_position   = <!--the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none-->
| pushpin_mapsize          = 
| pushpin_map_caption      = 
| coordinates              = 
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|Fiji}}
| subdivision_type1        = Division
| subdivision_type2        = Province
| subdivision_type3        = District
| subdivision_type4        = 
| subdivision_name1        = [[Central Division, Fiji|Central Division]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Rewa Province|Rewa]]
| subdivision_name3        = Suva
| subdivision_name4        = 
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = 
| established_title2       = <!--Incorporated (town)-->
| established_date2        = 
| established_title3       = <!--Incorporated (city)-->
| established_date3        = 
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = [[Suva City Council]]
| leader_title             = 
| leader_name              = 
| leader_title1            = <!--for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager-->
| leader_name1             = 
| area_footnotes           = 
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 26.24
| area_total_acre          =
| area_land_km2            = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox settlement for details on automatic unit conversion-->
| area_land_sq_mi          = 
| area_water_km2           = 
| area_water_sq_mi         = 
| area_water_percent       = 
| area_urban_km2           = 
| area_urban_sq_mi         = 
| area_metro_km2           = 
| area_metro_sq_mi         = 
| elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref> tags-->
| elevation_m              = 
| elevation_ft             = 
| population_total         = 93,970
| population_as_of         = 2017
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| population_urban         = 185,913
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 
| population_metro         = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_blank1_title  = 
| population_blank1        = 
| population_density_blank1_km2 = 
| population_density_blank1_sq_mi = 
| population_note          = 
| postal_code_type         = <!--enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code...-->
| postal_code              = 
| area_code                = 
| website                  = {{URL|https://suvacity.org/}}
| footnotes                = 
| governing body           = 
| city_logo                = 
| citylogo_size            = 
| image_dot_map            = 
| dot_mapsize              = 
| dot_map_caption          = 
| dot_x                    = 
| dot_y                    = 
| leader_title2            = 
| leader_name2             = 
| leader_title3            = 
| leader_name3             = 
| leader_title4            = 
| leader_name4             = 
| timezone                 = 1200 GMT
| utc_offset               = +12
| timezone_DST             = 
| utc_offset_DST           = 
| blank_name               = 
| blank_info               = 
| blank1_name              = 
| blank1_info              = 
}}
 <!-- Infobox ends -->

'''Suva''' ({{IPA|fj|ˈsuβa|audio|LL-Q33295 (fij)-Noaius Paticus-Suva.wav}}, {{langx|hif|सुवा}}) is the [[Capital city|capital]] and the most populous city of [[Fiji]]. It is the home of the country's largest metropolitan area and serves as its major port. The city is located on the southeast coast of the island of [[Viti Levu]], in [[Rewa Province]], [[Central Division, Fiji|Central Division]].

In 1877, the capital of Fiji was moved to Suva from [[Levuka]], the main European colonial settlement at the time, due to the restrictive geography and environs of the latter. The administration of the colony was transferred from Levuka to Suva in 1882.

As of the 2017 census, the city of Suva had a [[Demographics of Fiji|population]] of 93,970,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/Social/popn_townsarea.htm |title=Fiji Islands Bureau of Statistics – Population and Demography |publisher=Statsfiji.gov.fj |access-date=10 October 2012 |archive-date=19 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019001457/http://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/Social/popn_townsarea.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Suva's metropolitan area, which includes its independent suburbs, had a population of 185,913.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 Census of Population and Housing|url=http://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/statistics/2007-census-of-population-and-housing|access-date=25 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202033519/http://www.statsfiji.gov.fj/statistics/2007-census-of-population-and-housing|url-status=live}}</ref> The combined urban population of Suva and the towns of [[Lami, Fiji|Lami]], [[Nasinu]], and [[Nausori]] that border it was around 330,000: over a third of the nation's population (This urban complex, excluding Lami, is also known as the [[Suva-Nausori corridor]]).

Suva is the political, economic, and cultural centre of Fiji. It is also the economic and cultural capital of the South Pacific, hosting the majority of the regional headquarters of major international corporations, international agencies, and diplomatic missions. The city also has a thriving arts and performance scene, and a growing reputation as the region's [[fashion capital]].

==History==
[[File:Suva postcard.jpg|thumb|Suva Central Business District in the 1950s]]
[[File:The harbour, Suva, Fiji (NYPL Hades-2359163-4043519).jpg|thumb|Suva, Fiji, c. 1920]]
In 1868, when Suva was still a small village, the [[Bau Island|Bauan]] [[Ratu|chieftain]], [[Seru Epenisa Cakobau]], granted {{convert|5000|km2|abbr=on}} of land to the Australian-based Polynesia Company, in exchange for the company's promise to pay off debts owed to the United States. More than a tenth of this land area, {{convert|575|km2|abbr=on}}, was located near Suva. The company's original intention was to develop a cotton farming industry, but the land and climate proved unsuitable.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.climatefinder.com/places/NFNA|title=ClimateFinder.com - Nausori, Fiji|website=www.climatefinder.com|access-date=2020-02-04|archive-date=27 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327083858/http://www.climatefinder.com/places/NFNA|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1874, control of the Fiji Islands was ceded to the United Kingdom. In 1877, the [[British Empire|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. Colonel [[F. E. Pratt]] of the [[Royal Engineers]] was appointed Surveyor-General in 1875 and designed the new capital in Suva, assisted by W. Stephens and Colonel R. W. Stewart. The transfer of the administration to Suva was made official in 1882.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.europcar.com.fj/pages/suva|title=Europcar Fiji - Suva|website=www.europcar.com.fj|access-date=2020-02-04|archive-date=27 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327072937/https://www.europcar.com.fj/pages/suva|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1910, Suva acquired the status of a municipality, under the Municipal Constitution Ordinance of 1909. Its area remained one square mile until 1952 when Suva annexed the [[Muanikau]] and [[Samabula]] [[ward (politics)|wards]], expanding its territory to {{convert|13|km2|abbr=on}}. In October of that year, Suva was officially designated a city – Fiji's first. Suva later annexed [[Tamavua]]. Most recently, Suva further extended its boundaries by incorporating the [[Cunningham (Fiji)|Cunningham]] area at its northern edge. Since then, [[urban sprawl]] has led to the growth of a number of suburbs that remain outside the city limits. Together with the city, they form the metropolitan area known as the [[Greater Suva Area]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9gKmPQeHBD0C&pg=PA174|title=Saving Small Island Developing States: Environmental and Natural Resource Challenges|last1=Nath|first1=Shyam|last2=Roberts|first2=John L.|last3=Madhoo|first3=Yeti Nisha|publisher=Commonwealth Secretariat|year=2010|isbn=9781849290319|pages=164}}</ref>

Suva hosted the [[2003 South Pacific Games|South Pacific Games in 2003]] for the third time in the event's 40-year history. In preparation for hosting the event, the Fijian [[Politics of Fiji|government]], with the help of a $16&nbsp;million aid package from the People's Republic of China, funded the construction of a new gymnasium, indoor sports centre, swimming pool, stadium, [[field hockey]] pitch, and grandstands in the area around Suva.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.patarapacific.com/spg2003 |title=PATARA sponsors South Pacific Games 2003 and provides Information & Communications Technology for a "Smart Games" |work=patarapacific.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804044326/http://www.patarapacific.com/spg2003 |archive-date=4 August 2012 |access-date=12 February 2020}}</ref>

==Geography and physical characteristics==

In addition to being the capital of Fiji, Suva is also its commercial and political centre (though not necessarily its cultural centre), and its main port city. It has a mix of modern buildings and colonial-period architecture. 

Suva is located around a harbour on a hilly peninsula in the southeast corner of [[Viti Levu]] Island, between Laucala Bay and Suva Harbour. The mountains to its north and west catch the southeast trade winds, producing year-round moist conditions.

Although Suva is on a peninsula, and almost surrounded by sea, its coast is lined with mangroves - the nearest beach is 40 kilometres (25&nbsp;mi) away, at [[Pacific Harbour]]. A significant part of the city centre, including the [[Parliament of Fiji|Parliament]] buildings, is built on reclaimed mangrove swampland.

===City wards===
Below is a list of the city's five wards,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Narayan |first1=Vidya |title=Rating Appraisal in Fiji Islands – Comparative Study of Unimproved Value and Proposed Improved Capital Value Rating Systems |url=http://www.prres.net/Papers/Narayan_Rating_Appraisal_in_the_Fiji_Islands.pdf |website=Pacific Rim Real Estate Society |page=26 |date=January 2002}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=August 2023}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Suva City Council |url=http://suvacity.org/ |website=suvacity.org |access-date=30 August 2023}}</ref> beginning with the city centre, followed by the northwesternmost ward, and then in clockwise order:

# Central: city centre; mostly commercial, [[central business district]]
# Tamavua: urban; mostly residential
# Extension: semi-urban; residential
# Samabula: urban; residential, industrial, and commercial; has its own separate town centre; includes a university
# Muanikau: urban; mostly industrial and residential; includes large sporting venues, a university, and recreational areas

===Suva–Nausori Corridor===
Suva sits in the middle of a metropolitan area, sometimes known as the [[Suva-Nausori corridor|Suva Urban Complex]], and sometimes informally known as Suva, even though it encompasses a total of four areas with their own town or city names and their own separate local governments. This conurbation stretches from [[Lami, Fiji|Lami]] (immediately west of the city of Suva) along the Queens Highway, through [[Nasinu]] (immediately east of the city of Suva), to the [[Rewa River]], along the Kings Highway, and then to [[Nausori]] across the river. To the north and northeast are the rainforest-park areas of Colo-i-Suva and Sawani, along the Princes Road, which connect at the [[Rewa Bridge|Rewa River Bridge]]. This whole area (excluding Lami) is also formally referred to as the Suva–Nausori Corridor. It is the most populous area in Fiji, with over 330,000 inhabitants.

==Climate==
{{climate chart
| Suva
|23.7 |30.6 |315
|23.8 |31.05|286
|23.5 |30.6 |371
|23.0 |28.7 |391
|22.0 |28.3 |267
|21.4 |27.6 |164
|20.4 | 26.5| 142
|20.5 | 26.6|159
|20.9 |27.0 |184
|21.7 |27.8 |234
|22.5 |28.9 |264
|23.2 |29.8 |263
|float=right
|clear=right
|source=WMO{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}}
}}

Suva has a [[tropical rainforest climate]], according to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system. But because of its trade winds and occasional [[cyclone]]s, it is not an equatorial climate. The city sees a copious amount of precipitation throughout the year, with no true dry season; no month has an average rainfall below {{convert|60|mm|0|abbr=on}}. Suva averages {{convert|3000|mm|0|abbr=in}} of precipitation annually. Its driest month, July, averages {{convert|125|mm|2|abbr=on}}. As in many other cities with a tropical rainforest climate, temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year, with an average high of about {{convert|28|°C|0}} and an average low of about {{convert|22|°C|0}}.

Suva has a markedly higher rainfall than [[Nadi]] or the western side of [[Viti Levu]] (known to Suva inhabitants as "the burning west"). The second governor of Fiji, [[Arthur Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Baron Stanmore|Sir Arthur Gordon]], is said to have remarked that he had never seen it rain anywhere the way it rains in Suva and that there was hardly a day without rain. The most copious rainfall is observed from November to May, while the slightly cooler months from June to October see considerably more moderate rainfall.

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location = Suva (Laucala Bay) (1991–2020 normals)
|Jan high C = 	31.1
|Feb high C = 	31.5
|Mar high C = 	31.4
|Apr high C = 	30.3
|May high C = 	28.9
|Jun high C = 	27.9
|Jul high C = 	27.1
|Aug high C = 	27.0
|Sep high C = 	27.5
|Oct high C = 	28.5
|Nov high C = 	29.6
|Dec high C = 	30.5
| year high C = 	29.3
|Jan mean C = 27.9
|Feb mean C = 28.1
|Mar mean C = 28.0
|Apr mean C = 27.2
|May mean C = 25.9
|Jun mean C = 25.0
|Jul mean C = 24.2
|Aug mean C = 24.2
|Sep mean C = 24.7
|Oct mean C = 25.6
|Nov mean C = 26.5
|Dec mean C = 27.4
| year mean C = 26.2
|Jan low C = 	24.6
|Feb low C = 	24.6
|Mar low C = 	24.6
|Apr low C = 	24.0
|May low C = 	22.9
|Jun low C = 	22.1
|Jul low C = 	21.3
|Aug low C = 	21.4
|Sep low C = 	21.8
|Oct low C = 	22.7
|Nov low C = 	23.4
|Dec low C = 	24.2
| year low C = 	23.1
|precipitation colour = green	
|Jan precipitation mm = 	342.9
|Feb precipitation mm = 	275.9
|Mar precipitation mm = 	339.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 	335.3
|May precipitation mm = 	232.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 	156.3
|Jul precipitation mm = 	136.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 	144.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 	188.3
|Oct precipitation mm = 	248.2
|Nov precipitation mm = 	247.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 	344.3
| year precipitation mm = 	2991.7
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 	18.7
|Feb precipitation days = 	17.0
|Mar precipitation days = 	19.5
|Apr precipitation days = 	18.1
|May precipitation days = 	15.4
|Jun precipitation days = 	13.3
|Jul precipitation days = 	12.7
|Aug precipitation days = 	12.8
|Sep precipitation days = 	12.9
|Oct precipitation days = 	14.5
|Nov precipitation days = 	14.9
|Dec precipitation days = 	18.0
|year precipitation days = 	187.8
|Jan sun = 186.7
|Feb sun = 178.5
|Mar sun = 179.7
|Apr sun = 151.3
|May sun = 151.0
|Jun sun = 133.0
|Jul sun = 134.6
|Aug sun = 137.2
|Sep sun = 127.8
|Oct sun = 154.7
|Nov sun = 162.3
|Dec sun = 180.0
|year sun = 1876.8
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-5-WMO-Normals-9120/Fiji/CSV/LaucalaBay_91690.csv
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = 19 October 2023}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location = Suva ([[Nausori International Airport]], 1991–2020 normals)
|Jan record high C = 35.0
|Feb record high C = 36.0
|Mar record high C = 37.0
|Apr record high C = 34.0
|May record high C = 34.0
|Jun record high C = 32.0
|Jul record high C = 32.0
|Aug record high C = 32.0
|Sep record high C = 32.0
|Oct record high C = 34.0
|Nov record high C = 34.0
|Dec record high C = 36.0
|year record high C = 37.0
|Jan high C = 	30.6
|Feb high C = 	31.0
|Mar high C = 	30.9
|Apr high C = 	29.8
|May high C = 	28.3
|Jun high C = 	27.4
|Jul high C = 	26.6
|Aug high C = 	26.4
|Sep high C = 	26.9
|Oct high C = 	27.8
|Nov high C = 	29.0
|Dec high C = 	29.9
| year high C = 	28.7
|Jan mean C = 27.0
|Feb mean C = 27.3
|Mar mean C = 27.2
|Apr mean C = 26.4
|May mean C = 24.9
|Jun mean C = 24.1
|Jul mean C = 23.3
|Aug mean C = 23.2
|Sep mean C = 23.7
|Oct mean C = 24.5
|Nov mean C = 25.6
|Dec mean C = 26.5
| year mean C = 25.3
|Jan low C = 	23.4
|Feb low C = 	23.5
|Mar low C = 	23.5
|Apr low C = 	22.9
|May low C = 	21.4
|Jun low C = 	20.7
|Jul low C = 	19.9
|Aug low C = 	19.9
|Sep low C = 	20.5
|Oct low C = 	21.2
|Nov low C = 	22.1
|Dec low C = 	22.9
| year low C = 	21.8
|precipitation colour = green	
|Jan precipitation mm = 	353.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 	291.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 	351.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 	307.6
|May precipitation mm = 	213.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 	160.6
|Jul precipitation mm = 	131.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 	141.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 	173.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 	241.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 	239.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 	336.0
| year precipitation mm = 	2940.4
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 	19.2
|Feb precipitation days = 	17.6
|Mar precipitation days = 	19.3
|Apr precipitation days = 	17.7
|May precipitation days = 	15.5
|Jun precipitation days = 	13.4
|Jul precipitation days = 	12.0
|Aug precipitation days = 	12.7
|Sep precipitation days = 	12.6
|Oct precipitation days = 	14.6
|Nov precipitation days = 	14.7
|Dec precipitation days = 	18.2
|year precipitation days = 	187.5
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-5-WMO-Normals-9120/Fiji/CSV/NausoriAirport_91683.csv
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = 19 October 2023}}</ref>
|source 2 = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.met.gov.fj/ClimateofFiji.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124132441/http://www.met.gov.fj/ClimateofFiji.pdf |archive-date=2014-01-24 |url-status=live
|title= Climate of Fiji - 2018
|publisher = Fiji Meteorological Service
|access-date= 13 October 2022}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
[[File:Suva, Fiji 52.jpg|thumb|People in Suva]]
Suva is a multiracial and multicultural city. [[Fijians|Indigenous Fijians]] and [[Indians in Fiji|Indo-Fijians]], the two principal ethnic groups of Fiji, comprise the bulk of Suva's population, and the city is home to most of Fiji's ethnic minority populations, which include Rotumans, Lauans, Rambians, [[Europeans in Oceania|Europeans]] (known as ''Kaivalagi''), part-Europeans (of European and Fijian descent, known as “Kailoma") and [[Chinese in Fiji|Chinese]], among others. The most widely spoken language is English, but [[Fijian language|Fijian]], [[Fiji Hindi]], and other languages are also spoken by their respective communities.

Suva's inhabitants are representative of all the major indigenous Pacific groups: it is sometimes referred to as the “[[New York City|New York]] of the Pacific". The city has a reputation as a major economic centre in the region and is the site of [[University of the South Pacific]]'s main campus. This has led to an influx of Pacific migrants, who study, work, and live in the city and its boroughs. 
{| rules="all" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" style="margin:auto; border:1px solid #999; border-right:2px solid #999; border-bottom:2px solid #999; background:#f3fff3;"
|-
! !! 1986!! 1996!! 2007 !! 2017
|-
| align=center| '''Suva City''' || align=center| 141,273 || align=center| 167,975 || align=center| 85,691 || align=center| 93,970
|-
| colspan="12" style="text-align:center;"| <small>Official figures from population censuses</small>
|}

==Municipal government==
{{Main|Suva City Council}}

Suva has [[Local government in Fiji|municipal]] status and, until 2009, was governed by a [[Mayor|lord mayor]] and a 20-member [[city council]]. The Suva City Council was the municipal law-making body of the city of Suva, Fiji's capital. It consisted of 20 councillors, elected for three-year terms from four multi-member constituencies, called wards. Councillors were elected by residents, landowners, and representatives of corporations owning or occupying taxable property in Suva councillors in turn elect, from among their own members, a lord mayor and deputy lord mayor, who served one-year terms and were eligible for re-election.

However, in 2009, the [[Republic of Fiji Military Forces|military]]-backed interim Fijian government dismissed all municipal government officials throughout Fiji and appointed special administrators to run the urban areas. {{As of|2015}}, elected municipal government had not been restored. The special administrator of Suva, along with nearby [[Nasinu]], is [[Chandu Umaria]], a former lord mayor of Suva.<ref name="RNZI_44529">{{cite news |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=44529 |title=Ba ex-mayor says Fiji municipal reform was expected |date=2 February 2009 |work=[[Radio New Zealand International]] |access-date=15 November 2011 |archive-date=28 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728114837/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=44529 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Landmarks==
[[File:Carnegie Library Suva MatthiasSuessen-8049.jpg|thumb|Suva City Carnegie Library]]
[[File:Fiji Parliament House1.jpg|thumb|Parliament House]]
[[File:Clock Tower Suva MatthiasSuessen-8428.jpg|thumb|Thurston Gardens, Suva]]

A well-known landmark is the [[Suva City Carnegie Library]], which was built in 1909. It is one of many colonial-period buildings in the city. 

Another landmark is Suva's governmental building complex. It sits on what was once the flowing waters of a creek. In 1935, the creek was drained, and the complex's foundations were created by driving more than five kilometres of reinforced concrete pilings into its bed. The foundation stone was laid in 1937, the building complex was completed in 1939, and a new wing was completed in 1967. However, in 1992, the seat of Fiji's [[Parliament of Fiji|parliament]] was moved out of that complex and into a new one on [[Ratu Sukuna Road]].

[[Government House, Suva|Government House]] was formerly the residence of Fiji's [[British Empire|colonial]] [[Governor of Fiji|governors]] and, after Fijian independence in 1970, [[Governor-General of Fiji|governors-general]]. Today, it is the official residence of Fiji's [[President of Fiji|president]]. The original house on the site was built in 1882, but a fire caused by a lightning strike destroyed it in 1921, it was rebuilt in 1928. 

The Suva campus of the [[University of the South Pacific]] (USP) occupies what was originally a New Zealand military base. It is the largest of the many USP campuses dotted throughout the South Pacific. USP is the largest university in the [[Pacific Islands]] outside Hawaii, and its courses are internationally recognised and endorsed.

The [[Fiji Museum]], now located in [[Thurston Gardens]], was founded in 1904, and originally occupied the old town hall. It was moved to its present location in 1954. The museum houses the most extensive collection of Fijian artifacts in the world, and is also a research and educational institution, specialising in archaeology, the preservation of Fiji's oral tradition, and the publication of material on Fiji's language and culture.

Suva has about 78 parks. The new [[Takashi Suzuki Garden]], in [[Apted Park]] at [[Suva Point]], is a popular spot for viewing sunrise and sunset. [[Thurston Gardens]], which opened in 1913, features flora from throughout the South Pacific. 

Suva has many shopping and retail areas, notably Cumming Street, which has been a vibrant and colourful shopping area since colonial times. The Cumming Street area features original colonial buildings and narrow roads. Suva also has modern shopping malls, such as the Suva Central Shopping Mall, the Mid-City Mall, and MHCC, along with other developments give much of the city a modern and sophisticated look.

TappooCity is one of Fiji's shopping mall,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-15 |title=TappooCity - Fiji |url=http://www.arrivalguides.com/en/Travelguide/Fiji/shopping/tappoocity-86560 |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=ArrivalGuides.com |language=en}}</ref> and the largest in the South Pacific outside of Australia and New Zealand. This low-rise (six-storey) building was constructed in December 2009 in a joint venture by FNPF and the Tappoo Group of Companies. It is valued at US$25.7&nbsp;million (FJD50&nbsp;million). {{cn|date=November 2021}}

Construction work began in January 2011 for a FJD30&nbsp;-million mini-mall complex at Grantham Road, behind the Sports-City Complex and close to the Suva campus of the [[University of the South Pacific]]. It was scheduled to be completed in 2012, and to house restaurants, retail outlets, and cinemas.<ref>{{cite web |title=Construction works for a $30 million complex that will include a cinema has begun in Suva |url=https://fijisun.com.fj/main_page/view.asp?id=51605 |website=fijisun |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723094242/https://fijisun.com.fj/main_page/view.asp?id=51605 |archive-date=2011-07-23}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Suva Harbour.jpg|thumb|Suva Harbor]]

Unlike most cities and towns in Fiji, and many around the world, Suva did not grow up around a single industry. It has gradually developed to become the largest and most sophisticated city in the Pacific Islands, and a regional hub.  Fijians of Indian descent have largely shaped the economy of Fiji, contributing immensely to the growth of Suva and to its status as the economic and political capital of Fiji. Suva is the commercial center of Fiji: Most international banks have their Pacific headquarters here, including [[ANZ Bank|ANZ]] and the [[Westpac]]. In addition, most Fijian financial institutions, [[non-governmental organisations]], and government ministries and departments are headquartered here. At one point, both Air Pacific<ref>"World Airline Survey." ''[[FlightGlobal]]''. 10 April 1969. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1969/1969%20-%200629.html?search=%22Air%20Micronesia%22 557] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229182626/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1969/1969 |date=29 December 2018 }}.</ref> (now [[Fiji Airways]]) and [[Air Fiji]]<ref>''World Airline Directory''. [[Flight International]]. 16–22 March 2004. "[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%200065.html 63] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021115654/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%200065.html |date=21 October 2012 }}." "185 Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji."</ref> were headquartered in Suva.

A large part of Fiji's [[shipping|international shipping]], as well as the docking of international cruise ships, takes place at Suva's Kings Wharf. This has led to the growth of Suva's [[Tourism|tourism industry]].

The largest of Suva's several industrial areas is Walu Bay, which is home to factories, [[warehouses]], import-export companies, [[shipyards]], container yards, a brewery, and many printeries. Other notable industrial areas are Vatuwaqa, Raiwaqa, and Laucala Beach.

Suva boasts many thriving markets and shopping complexes. Among the most popular areas for shopping and commerce are Cumming Street and Victoria Parade.

==Institutions==
[[File:Gouvernment Building Suva MatthiasSuessen-8442.jpg|thumb| [[Government Buildings, Suva]] CBD]]
[[File:Presidential Pallace Suva MatthiasSuessen-8769.jpg|thumb|Government House – The Presidential Residence]]

Suva is host to more international and regional intergovernmental agencies and NGOs than any other Pacific Island capital. Some of the bodies with a presence in Suva are:

*The [[TRAFFIC Oceania]] South Pacific Programme – funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is in Suva, in the offices of the WWF South Pacific Programme. The programme assists in the implementation of [[CITES]] and strengthens collaboration with the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]].
*The [[Fiji School of Medicine]] – which is now classed as a regional agency and a member of the [[Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific]].
*The [[University of Fiji]].
*The Fiji School of Nursing.
*The [[University of the South Pacific]] which operates a campus in Suva as well as at other South Pacific locations.
*The [[Fiji National University]] which is a major polytechnic in Fiji and caters to students from many small Pacific Island nations. It has centres in other Fiji towns of Nadi, Ba and Labasa.
*The Fiji College of Advanced Learning.
*TPAF (The Training and Productivity Authority of Fiji).
*The [[Pacific Community]] (SPC).
*The [[Pacific Islands Forum|Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat]].
*The [[South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission]] (SOPAC).
*[[St John's Theological College, Suva]].
* The [[Pacific Regional Seminary]] (PRS).
* The [[Pacific Theological College]] (PTC).
*Femmus School of Hospitality.
*[[Yat Sen School]].
*[[Alliance Française]].
*[[Greenpeace]] Pacific.
*[[UNDP]] Headquarters (Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, [[Cook Islands]], Palau, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, [[Niue]], Nauru).
*[[Asian Development Bank]] Headquarters Pacific
*[[World Bank]] Headquarters

==Entertainment and culture==
[[File:Suva, Fiji 91.jpg|thumb|Canal and shopping area]]
Suva is the cultural and entertainment capital of Oceania and is host to many regional, national, and local events. The city has a very developed and advanced entertainment and event infrastructure and hosts a busy calendar of events every year.

===Venues===
Suva has many multipurpose venues, the main ones being the [[Vodafone Arena (Fiji)|Vodafone Arena]], which can seat up to 5,000 people, the [[HFC Bank Stadium]], which can seat up to 30,000 people, the FMF National Gymnasium Suva, which can seat up to 2,000 people, and the Civic Auditorium, which can seat up to 1,000 people.

===Parks and gardens===
[[File:USP Bure MatthiasSuessen-8729.jpg|thumb|[[Albert Park (Suva)|Albert Park]]]]
[[File:Suva, Fiji 49.jpg|thumb|Canal in the city centre]]
Suva has a number of parks and a few gardens. [[Albert Park (Suva)|Albert Park]], in the City centre, is famous as the stage for many national-historical events such as the Independence of Fiji, the landing by [[Charles Kingsford Smith|Kingsford Smith]] on the Southern Cross and many parades and carnivals. Sukuna Park, also in the CBD is a popular recreational park and has many performances and events on a weekly basis. [[Thurston Gardens]] (named for [[Governor of Fiji]] [[John Bates Thurston]]) is the city's main botanical garden and the location of the Fiji Museum. Queen Elizabeth Drive is popular as a scenic walk along Suva's foreshore. Many city residents go to the [[Colo-i-Suva Forest Reserve]], a short drive from the city centre, to swim under the [[waterfall]]s.

===Music===
Many concerts are held in Suva, some coming from other countries to enjoy world-class performances. Concerts and shows are usually staged at one of the above-mentioned venues on a monthly basis. Some of the famous music artists to hold shows in Suva include [[UB40]], [[Lucky Dube]], [[O'Yaba]], [[Sean Kingston]] and many others. Due to a favoured interest in [[Bollywood]] by all, some prominent singers and actors have held shows in the capital which include singers like [[Shaan (singer)|Shaan]], [[Sonu Nigam]], [[Sunidhi Chauhan]] and movie artists like [[Shah Rukh Khan]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seasonsindia.com/cinemascope/specInterviewSea.jsp |title=Interviews with Bollywood Actors & Actresses |publisher=Seasons India |date=24 March 2004 |access-date=10 October 2012 |archive-date=30 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630114612/http://www.seasonsindia.com/cinemascope/specInterviewSea.jsp |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Priyanka Chopra]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liveindia.com/priyanka/newsj.html |title=Priyanka Chopra's Fiji Tour |publisher=Liveindia.com |access-date=10 October 2012 |archive-date=5 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305061917/http://www.liveindia.com/priyanka/newsj.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Johnny Lever]], [[Dino Morea]], [[Rajpal Yadav]], [[Sunny Leone]] and the like.

===Food===
Suva offers a varied and interesting culinary experience where almost every if not all major cuisines are represented. Particularly popular cuisines are [[Fijian food|Fijian]], [[Indian cuisine|Indian]], [[Chinese cuisine|Chinese]], American and foods from other cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Fijians of Indian descent have influenced Fiji's cuisine, in the process creating the uniquely Fiji Indian curry. Indentured labourers brought with them spices, chilies, and other herbs and vegetables which now are part of the Fijian culinary experience.

===Festivals===
During the course of the year, arts, music and trade festivals are held in Suva, albeit on a small scale. There are a few large and notable festivals that occur annually and these include the [[List of festivals in Fiji|Hibiscus Festival]] (largest [[carnival]] in the South Pacific islands), the [[List of festivals in Fiji|New Years Street Party]], and the Fiji Show Case [[tradeshow]] that includes carnival rides, food as well as magic and circus performances.

===Sports===
[[fILE:ANZ Stadium Fiji.jpg|thumb|[[HFC Bank Stadium]]]]
Suva plays host to many regional and national sporting events, most notably at the [[HFC Bank Stadium]]. A special highlight is the Coca-Cola Games, the largest secondary school athletics meet in the world. The [[Capital (city)|Capital City]] is represented in major sporting events by its respective [[rugby football|rugby]], [[netball]] and football teams.

Suva was the host of the first [[Pacific Games]], in 1963. Forty years later in [[2003 South Pacific Games|2003]] the Games returned to Fiji's capital, with a full program of 32 sports introduced for the first time. Suva held the games for the second time in 1979. Having hosted the event three times, Suva has held the Pacific Games more often than any other city.

===Mass media===
[[File:FBC Suva MatthiasSuessen-8431.jpg|thumb|[[FBC TV]] building]]
[[File:Fiji Times Suva MatthiasSuessen-8438.jpg|thumb|left|''[[Fiji Times]]'' building]]
Headquartered in Suva are the three main national television stations, [[Fiji TV|Fiji One]], [[FBC TV]] and [[MAI TV]] along with the Fiji Ministry of Information, which produces government programs as well as national news and current affairs bulletins. Fiji One produces and airs its evening 'National News' bulletin from its studios in Gladstone Road in Central; FBC TV airs its 'FBC News' bulletin from its studios, also on Gladstone Road. [[Sky Pacific]] and [[Pacific Broadcasting Services Fiji]] are the two pay satellite television company headquartered here.

Suva is home to the national radio broadcasters [[Fiji Broadcasting Corporation]] (FBC) and Communications Fiji Limited (CFL), between them providing 12 national radio stations.

The two dailies, ''[[Fiji Times|The Fiji Times]]'' and ''[[The Fiji Sun]]'' are printed here (and, formerly, the ''Fiji Post''). Many other weekly newspapers are headquartered and published in Suva, including ''Inside Fiji'', ''Nai Lalakai'' (iTaukei language weekly), ''Shanti Dut'' (Fiji Hindi weekly), national magazines such as ''Repúblika'' and ''Mai Life'' as well as regional magazines such as ''Islands Business''.

===Shopping and fashion===
[[File:Tappoo Suva MatthiasSuessen-8178.jpg|thumb|Tappoo City shopping centre]]
Suva is one of the most shopper-friendly cities in the Pacific. The city offers its shops in a cluster that is referred to as Suva Central. Areas like Cumming Street and Marks Street are for clothing, jewellery, food, electronics, pharmaceuticals and more. Terry Walk and the Flea Market offer handicrafts and local ware. Close by, huge, new shopping complexes dominate the canal area, such as MHCC (Morris Hedstrom City Center), Tappoo City and Suva Central. There are telecommunication and electronic stores, as well as sporting gear stores in the outer areas of this radius. 

Suva also hosts the headquarters of the Fashion Council of Fiji, the region's most significant fashion organisation. The Fijian Fashion Festival, the region's largest trade and consumer fashion platform, occurs annually at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

==Transportation==
[[File:Suva bus.jpg|thumb|Bus Route 20]]
[[File:Guard Suva MatthiasSuessen-8368.jpg|thumb| Holy Trinity [[Anglican]] Cathedral, Gordon Street, Suva]]
[[Nausori International Airport]] caters mainly to the domestic market, connecting Suva with Fiji's other international airport, [[Nadi International Airport]]. [[Fiji Airways]] operates a sole flight to [[Sydney Airport|Sydney]], with the main operator out of the airport being [[Fiji Link]]. Fiji Link provides services to domestic locations within Fiji such as [[Savusavu Airport|Savusavu]] and [[Rotuma Airport|Rotuma]].

Suva has a public transport system consisting of buses (Central Transport Co.) and taxis servicing the metropolitan area as well as the cities of Nasinu, Nausori, and Lami town. There are bus services connecting Suva with other towns and cities on Viti Levu by way of either the Kings, Queens, or Princes highways, all originating within Suva, although the latter terminates at [[Rewa Bridge]] in Nausori.

There is a domestic ferry service from the Princess Wharf to the outer islands of Fiji as well as [[Vanua Levu]]. International ships and cruise liners dock at Suva's Kings Wharf.

==Notable residents ==
This is a list of famous people who are either living in, or are originally from Suva.

*[[Petero Civoniceva]] (born in Suva), Australian rugby league player
*[[Noor Dean]], a Fiji Indian lawyer and politician, Suva City Council, and House of Representatives
*[[Josua Koroibulu]], plays rugby league for the [[Fiji national rugby league team]]
*[[Nalini Krishan]], ''Star Wars'' film actress
*[[Craig Parker]], New Zealand actor
*[[Paulini]] (born in Suva), Australian singer and songwriter
*[[Don Dunstan]], Premier of South Australia 1967 - 1968 and 1970 - 1979
*[[Semi Radradra]], [[Parramatta Eels]] player and plays for the [[Fiji national rugby league team]]
*[[Waisale Serevi]], Fiji Rugby Team
*[[Devanesh Sharma]], leading Suva lawyer and former President of the [[Fiji Law Society]]
*[[Jimmy Snuka]], professional wrestler between 1968 and 2015
*[[Sitiveni Sivivatu]], All Black [[Chiefs (Super rugby franchise)]]
*[[Semi Tadulala]], plays rugby union for [[Gloucester Rugby]] in England and Fiji in rugby union previously a professional [[rugby league]] footballer for [[Melbourne Storm]], [[Bradford Bulls]] and the [[Fiji national rugby league team]]
*[[Lote Tuqiri (rugby, born 1979)|Lote Tuqiri]], played rugby union for the [[Australian national rugby union team]]
*[[Tarisi Vunidilo]], Fijian archaeologist and curator
*[[Marques Whippy]], professional basketball player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=2-1042-0-0-0&sID=13074&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=32333|title=Marques Whippy – Fiji – Oceania All-Stars Tour – SportsTG|website=SportsTG|access-date=30 May 2015|archive-date=30 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530205534/http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=2-1042-0-0-0&sID=13074&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=32333|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Veniana Tuibulia]], bronze medalist in the 2003 [[OJU Senior Championships|Oceania Judo Championship]] in the -52 kg category<ref>{{cite web |title=JudoInside - Veniana Tuibulia Judoka |url=https://www.judoinside.com/judoka/35403/Veniana_Tuibulia/judo-career |website=www.judoinside.com}}</ref>

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Fiji}}
Suva is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Sister Cities|url=http://suvacity.org/sister-cities/|website=suvacity.org|publisher=Suva|access-date=2020-07-20|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421162820/http://suvacity.org/sister-cities/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sister-city relation to enhance trade|url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2012/12/12/sister-city-relation-to-enhance-trade/|website=fijisun.com.fj|publisher=Fiji Sun|date=2012-12-12|access-date=2020-07-20|archive-date=20 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720113309/https://fijisun.com.fj/2012/12/12/sister-city-relation-to-enhance-trade/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* {{flagicon|China}} [[Beihai]], China
* {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Brighton Council (Tasmania)|Brighton]], Australia
* {{flagicon|China}} [[Guangdong]], China
* {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Frankston, Victoria|Frankston]], Australia<ref>{{cite web |title=Suva Fiji |url=https://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Council/Governance-and-transparency/Sister-Cities/Suva-Fiji |website=Frankston City Council |access-date=30 August 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Papua New Guinea}} [[Port Moresby]], Papua New Guinea
* {{flagicon|China}} [[Shaoxing]], China
* {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Yongsan District|Yongsan, Seoul]], South Korea
{{div col end}}
* {{flagicon|Philippines}} [[Virac, Catanduanes]], [[Philippines]]

==See also==

* [[1953 Suva earthquake]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
*''Fiji'', by Korina Miller, Robyn Jones, Leonardo Pinheiro – Travel – 2003, published by Lonely Planet, pages 139–141, ''details on Suva City.''
*''The Suva City Library'': A Brief History and Development, 1909–1980, by S Baksh – 1980
*''Pluralism and Social Change in Suva City'', Fiji, by Alexander Mamak – 1974, Thesis/dissertation; Ethnology (Fiji, Suva City); Suva City, Fiji Islands (Social conditions)
*''A History of the Pacific Islands'': Passages Through Tropical Time – Page 162, by Deryck Scarr 2001 – 323 pages.
*''Frommer's South Pacific'', by Bill Goodwin – Travel – 2004, pages 258–263

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Suva}}
*{{Wikivoyage-inline|Suva}}
*[https://suvacity.org/ Suva City Council (official website)]

{{Political divisions of Fiji}}
{{List of Oceanian capitals by region}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|18.1416|S|178.4419|E|region:FJ_type:city(77000)|display=title}}

[[Category:Suva| ]]
[[Category:Rewa Province]]
[[Category:Capitals in Oceania]]
[[Category:Populated places in Fiji]]
[[Category:Port cities in Oceania]]