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Viti Levu (IPA: ßi ti le ßu) is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji, the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.
Geography and economy
Viti Levu covers an area of 10,388 km² and is about 146 km from north to south and 106 km east to west. It is the fifth-largest island in Oceania, after Tasmania, the two major islands of New Zealand, Hawaii Island, and New Caledonia.
Geologists believe that Viti Levu has been submerged a number of times, and has been covered by lava and other volcanic materials. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions account for the somewhat rugged terrain of the island, which is divided into roughly equal halves by a north-south mountain range. The eastern side of the island experiences heavy rainfall, while the western side is noticeably drier. Accordingly, sugar cane production thrives in the west, while a dairy industry is being built in the east. Fiji's biggest cattle ranch, with 7000 head of cattle in its 70 square kilometres, is at Yaqara, halfway between Tavua and Rakiraki.
The centre of the island is forested and includes the nation's highest peak Tomanivi (otherwise Mt. Victoria) rising to 1,324 meters.
The island is the only known home of one of the world's largest insects, the Giant Fijian Long-Horned Beetle.
