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94-693: Thurston Gardens are built on the site of the original town of Suva that was burned in 1843 in one of the bloodiest fights in Fiji's history. Many of the inhabitants were killed and eaten by the people of Rewa . In 1879, Sir John Thurston invited and asked John Horne (Botanist) , the Director of Forests and Botanic Gardens in Mauritius to visit and make recommendations for a Botanical Garden . The gardens were originally named Suva Botanical Gardens, but were renamed in 1976 in memory of Sir John Thurston . In 1913

188-493: A 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,

282-421: A 180 feet (55 m) gallery connecting the bottom of the shaft to Snargate Street, and all for under an estimated £4000. The plan entailed building two brick-lined shafts, one inside the other. In the outer would be built a triple staircase, the inner acting as a light well with "windows" cut in its outer wall to illuminate the staircases. Apparently, by March 1805 only 40 feet (12 m) of the connecting gallery

376-677: A favoured interest in Bollywood by all, some prominent singers and actors have held shows in the capital which include singers like Shaan , Sonu Nigam , Sunidhi Chauhan and movie artists like Shah Rukh Khan , Priyanka Chopra , Johnny Lever , Dino Morea , Rajpal Yadav , Sunny Leone and the like. Suva offers a varied and interesting culinary experience where almost every if not all major cuisines are represented. Particularly popular cuisines are Fijian , Indian , Chinese , American and foods from other cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Fijians of Indian descent have influenced Fiji's cuisine, in

470-610: A growing reputation as the region's fashion capital . In 1868, when Suva was still a small village, the Bauan chieftain , Seru Epenisa Cakobau , granted 5,000 km (1,900 sq mi) 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, 575 km (222 sq mi),

564-414: A lord mayor and deputy lord mayor, who served one-year terms and were eligible for re-election. However, in 2009, the 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 ,

658-603: A military engineering connection. The first Journal was published in August 1870. The idea for the publication was proposed at the Corps Meeting of May 1870 by Major R Harrison and seconded By Captain R Home, who became its first editor (The Journal eventually superseded the Professional Papers , which were started by Lieutenant WT Denison in 1837 and continued to be published until 1918). The History of

752-576: 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 waterfalls . 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

846-508: A series of forts, strong points and ditches, designed to protect the United Kingdom from invasion. They were created to augment the existing defences and protect the key port of Dover from both seaward and landward attack. First given earthworks in 1779 against the planned invasion that year , the high ground west of Dover , England, now called Dover Western Heights, was properly fortified in 1804 when Lieutenant-Colonel William Twiss

940-459: A sole flight to Sydney , with the main operator out of the airport being Fiji Link . Fiji Link provides services to domestic locations within Fiji such as Savusavu and 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

1034-446: A tropical rainforest climate, temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year, with an average high of about 28 °C (82 °F) and an average low of about 22 °C (72 °F). 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, Sir Arthur Gordon , is said to have remarked that he had never seen it rain anywhere

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1128-566: Is Chandu Umaria , a former lord mayor of 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

1222-471: 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

1316-625: 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, 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 . Suva

1410-450: 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: 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. Suva has many multipurpose venues,

1504-655: 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

1598-537: Is the 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 . 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

1692-481: Is the official military band of the RE. The RE Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1880. It was recognised by Queen Victoria seven years later, with her command that they perform at Buckingham Palace for a banquet on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee . In 1916–1917, the band toured France and Belgium , giving over one hundred and fifty concerts in a journey of 1800 miles. The band continued its tour of Europe following

1786-601: Is valued at US$ 25.7 million (FJD50 million). Construction work began in January 2011 for a FJD30 -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. Unlike most cities and towns in Fiji, and many around

1880-895: The Sappers , is the engineering arm of the British Army . It provides military engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces and is headed by the Chief Royal Engineer . The Corps Headquarters and the Royal School of Military Engineering are in Chatham in Kent, England. The corps is divided into several regiments, barracked at various places in the United Kingdom and around

1974-994: The Bermuda Volunteer Engineers that wore Royal Engineers uniforms and replaced the regular Royal Engineers companies withdrawn from the Bermuda Garrison in 1928. The various part-time reserve forces were amalgamated into the Territorial Force in 1908, which was retitled the Territorial Army after the First World War, and the Army Reserve in 2014. Units from the Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery were in Australia, even after Federation. In 1911

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2068-631: The First World War , the corps formed its own tunnelling companies . Manned by experienced coal miners from across the country, they operated with great success until 1917, when after the fixed positions broke, they built deep dugouts such as the Vampire dugout to protect troops from heavy shelling. Before the Second World War , Royal Engineers recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 4 inches tall (5 feet 2 inches for

2162-527: The Muanikau and Samabula wards , expanding its territory to 13 km (5.0 sq mi). 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 area at its northern edge. Since then, urban sprawl has led to the growth of a number of suburbs that remain outside

2256-677: The Nile barrage and irrigation works of Lower Egypt. The construction of the Rideau Canal was proposed shortly after the War of 1812 , when there remained a persistent threat of attack by the United States on the British colony of Upper Canada . The initial purpose of the Rideau Canal was military, as it was intended to provide a secure supply and communications route between Montreal and

2350-556: The Ordnance Survey was born out of military necessity it was soon realised that accurate maps could be also used for civil purposes. The lessons learnt from this first boundary commission were put to good use around the world where members of the Corps have determined boundaries on behalf of the British as well as foreign governments; some notable boundary commissions include: Much of this work continues to this day. The reform of

2444-728: The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge . The Institution of Royal Engineers, the professional institution of the Corps of Royal Engineers , was established in 1875 and in 1923 it was granted its Royal Charter by King George V . The Institution is collocated with the Royal Engineers Museum, within the grounds of the Royal School of Military Engineering at Brompton in Chatham, Kent. Royal Engineers Journal - published tri-annually and contains articles with

2538-470: 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 (now Fiji Airways ) and Air Fiji were headquartered in Suva. A large part of Fiji's international shipping , as well as the docking of international cruise ships, takes place at Suva's Kings Wharf. This has led to

2632-687: The 15th century. In Woolwich in 1716, the Board formed the Royal Regiment of Artillery and established a Corps of Engineers , consisting entirely of commissioned officers . The manual work was done by the Artificer Companies , made up of contracted civilian artisans and labourers. In 1772, a Soldier Artificer Company was established for service in Gibraltar , the first instance of non-commissioned military engineers. In 1787,

2726-561: The British naval base in Kingston, Ontario . Westward from Montreal, travel would proceed along the Ottawa River to Bytown (now Ottawa ), then southwest via the canal to Kingston and out into Lake Ontario . The objective was to bypass the stretch of the St. Lawrence River bordering New York State , a route which would have left British supply ships vulnerable to attack or a blockade of

2820-728: The Corps formed its Air Battalion , the first flying unit of the British Armed Forces . The Air Battalion was the forerunner of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force . The First World War saw a rapid transformation of the Royal Engineers as new technologies became ever more important in the conduct of warfare and engineers undertook an increasing range of roles. In the front line they designed and built fortifications, operated poison gas equipment, repaired guns and heavy equipment, and conducted underground warfare beneath enemy trenches. Support roles included

2914-565: The Corps of Engineers was granted the Royal prefix, and adopted its current name; in the same year, a Corps of Royal Military Artificers was formed, consisting of non-commissioned officers and privates , to be led by the Royal Engineers. Ten years later, the Gibraltar company (which had remained separate) was absorbed, and in 1812 the unit's name was changed to the Corps of Royal Sappers and Miners . The Corps has no battle honours . In 1832,

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3008-639: The Corps of Royal Engineers is currently in its 12th volume. The first two volumes were written by Major General Whitworth Porter and published in 1889. The Sapper is published by the Royal Engineers Central Charitable Trust and is a bi-monthly magazine for all ranks. The present Royal Engineers Association promotes and supports the Corps among members of the Association in the following ways: The Royal Engineers' Yacht Club, which dates back to 1812, promotes

3102-572: The Drummond light, the instrument that Drummond invented whilst surveying in Ireland. An Abney level is an instrument used in surveying which consists of a fixed sighting tube, a movable spirit level that is connected to a pointing arm, and a protractor scale. The Abney level is an easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and when used correctly an accurate surveying tool. The Abney level was invented by Sir William de Wiveleslie Abney (1843–1920) who

3196-622: 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

3290-580: The Gardens were reorganized and drains were laid underground. The avenues of 101 Royal Palms and 39 tree ferns were also planted. The Clock Tower and band stand were constructed in 1918 in memory of the first mayor of Suva. The Fiji Museum , now occupies the building that was built in the Botanical Garden grounds in 1955. The Fiji Museum is currently maintaining the gardens. Although many of the buildings and artifacts seem to be in need of attention

3384-643: The Independence of Fiji, the landing by 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

3478-672: 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. Royal Engineers The Corps of Royal Engineers , usually called the Royal Engineers ( RE ), and commonly known as

3572-628: The Mounted Branch). They initially enlisted for six years with the colours and a further six years with the reserve or four years and eight years. Unlike most corps and regiments, in which the upper age limit was 25, men could enlist in the Royal Engineers up to 35 years of age. They trained at the Royal Engineers Depot in Chatham or the Royal Engineer Mounted Depot at Aldershot . During the 1980s,

3666-632: The Royal Engineers are trained combat engineers and all sappers ( privates ) and non-commissioned officers also have another trade. These trades include: air conditioning fitter, electrician, general fitter, plant operator mechanic, plumber, bricklayer, plasterer / painter, carpenter & joiner, fabricator, building materials technician, design draughtsman, electrical & mechanical draughtsman, geographic support technician, survey engineer, armoured engineer, driver, engineer IT, engineer logistics specialist, amphibious engineer, bomb disposal specialist , diver or search specialist. They may also undertake

3760-522: The Royal Engineers formed the vital component of at least three Engineer Brigades: 12 Engineer Brigade (Airfield Damage Repair); 29th Engineer Brigade ; and 30th Engineer Brigade . After the Falklands War , 37 (FI) Engineer Regiment was active from August 1982 until 14 March 1985. The Royal Engineers Museum is in Gillingham in Kent. The Royal Engineers, Columbia Detachment , which

3854-556: The Royal Engineers played against the Wanderers in a remake of the 1872 FA Cup Final at The Oval . Unlike the actual final, the Engineers won, and by a large margin, 7–1 being the final score. The Army were represented in the very first international by two members of the Royal Engineers, both playing for England , Lieutenant Charles Arthur Crompton RE and Lieutenant Charles Sherrard RE. Several Corps have been formed from

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3948-506: The Royal Engineers. The following Royal Engineers have been awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. In 1998, HMSO published an account of the 55 British and Commonwealth 'Sappers' who have been awarded the Victoria Cross . The book was written by Colonel GWA Napier, former Royal Engineers officer and

4042-594: The Royal School of Military Engineering offers training facilities for the full range of Royal Engineer skills. The RSME was founded by Major (later General Sir) Charles Pasley , as the Royal Engineer Establishment in 1812. It was renamed the School of Military Engineering in 1868 and granted the "Royal" prefix in 1962. The Royal Engineers, Ports Section, operated harbours and ports for

4136-768: The South Pacific islands), the New Years Street Party , and the Fiji Show Case tradeshow that includes carnival rides, food as well as magic and circus performances. 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 is represented in major sporting events by its respective rugby , netball and football teams. Suva

4230-436: The St. Lawrence. Construction of the canal was supervised by Lieutenant-Colonel John By of the Royal Engineers. Directed by him, Lieutenant William Denison , determined the strength for construction purposes of old growth timber in the vicinity of Bytown, findings commended by the Institution of Civil Engineers in England. The Western Heights of Dover are one of the most impressive fortifications in Britain. They comprise

4324-401: 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, 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

4418-602: The Suva–Nausori Corridor. It is the most populous area in Fiji, with over 330,000 inhabitants. Suva has a tropical rainforest climate , according to the Köppen climate classification system. But because of its trade winds and occasional cyclones , 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 60 mm (2 in). Suva averages 3,000 mm (118 inches) of precipitation annually. Its driest month, July, averages 125 mm (4.92 in). As in many other cities with

4512-436: The area around Suva. 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

4606-430: The army and used mainly specialised vessels such as tugs and dredgers. During the Second World War the Royal Engineers' Blue Ensign was flown from the Mulberry harbours . Bishop Gundulf , a monk from the Abbey of Bec in Normandy came to England in 1070 as Archbishop Lanfranc 's assistant at Canterbury . His talent for architecture had been spotted by King William I and was put to good use in Rochester , where he

4700-439: The beach. ... and about 180 feet (55 m) above high-water mark, but in order to communicate with them from the centre of town, on horseback the distance is nearly a mile and a half and to walk it about three-quarters of a mile, and all the roads unavoidably pass over ground more than 100 feet (30 m) above the barracks, besides the footpaths are so steep and chalky that a number of accidents will unavoidably happen during

4794-405: The cessation of hostilities. In 1936, the band performed at the funeral of George V and played the following year for the coronation of George VI in 1937. The band appeared at the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953, and has since been called on to play at state occasions, military tattoos and military parades . It has notably performed during the opening ceremonies of the Channel Tunnel and

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4888-404: The city centre, followed by the northwesternmost ward, and then in clockwise order: Suva sits in the middle of a metropolitan area, sometimes known as the 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 (immediately west of

4982-426: The city is home to most of Fiji's ethnic minority populations, which include Rotumans, Lauans, Rambians, Europeans (known as Kaivalagi ), part-Europeans (of European and Fijian descent, known as “Kailoma") and Chinese , among others. The most widely spoken language is English, but Fijian , Fiji Hindi , and other languages are also spoken by their respective communities. Suva's inhabitants are representative of all

5076-485: The city limits. Together with the city, they form the metropolitan area known as the Greater Suva Area . Suva hosted the South Pacific Games in 2003 for the third time in the event's 40-year history. In preparation for hosting the event, the Fijian government , with the help of a $ 16 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

5170-401: 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 River Bridge . This whole area (excluding Lami) is also formally referred to as

5264-413: The construction, maintenance and operation of railways, bridges, water supply and inland waterways, as well as telephone, wireless and other communications. As demands on the Corps increased, its manpower was expanded from a total (including reserves) of about 25,000 in August 1914, to 315,000 in 1918. In 1915, in response to German mining of British trenches under the then static siege conditions of

5358-423: The conversion of the militia of Anglesey and Monmouthshire to engineers in 1877. The Militia and Volunteer Force engineers supported the regular Royal Engineers in a variety of roles, including operating the boats required to tend the submarine mine defences that protected harbours in Britain and its empire. These included a submarine mining militia company that was authorised for Bermuda in 1892, but never raised, and

5452-416: The early 1870s. Wall states that the "Sappers moved in unison" and showed the "advantages of combination over the old style of individualism". The Engineers played in the first-ever FA Cup Final in 1872, losing 1–0 at Kennington Oval on 16 March 1872, to regular rivals Wanderers. They also lost the 1874 FA Cup Final , to Oxford University A.F.C. Their greatest triumph was the 1874–75 FA Cup . In

5546-441: The final against Old Etonians , they drew 1–1 with a goal from Renny-Tailyour and went on to win the replay 2–0 with two further goals from Renny-Tailyour. Their last FA Cup Final appearance came in 1878 , again losing to the Wanderers. They last participated in 1882–83 FA Cup , losing 6–2 in the fourth round to Old Carthusians F.C. The Engineers' Depot Battalion won the FA Amateur Cup in 1908. On 7 November 2012,

5640-501: The gardens are still regularly enjoyed by the people of Suva during the day. Spread throughout the grounds are varieties of palms, gingers, water lilies and other local flora. 18°08′57″S 178°25′29″E  /  18.1491°S 178.4247°E  / -18.1491; 178.4247 This article about a geographical location in Fiji is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Suva Suva ( Fijian pronunciation: [ˈsuβa] ; Fiji Hindi : सुवा )

5734-437: The great irrigation works on the river Cauvery , which watered the rice crops of Tanjore and Trichinopoly districts in the late 1820s. In 1838 he designed and built sea defences for Vizagapatam . He masterminded the Godavery Delta project where 720,000 acres (2,900 km ) of land were irrigated and 500 miles (800 km) of land to the port of Cocanada was made navigable in the 1840s. Such regard for his lasting legacy

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5828-466: The growth of Suva's 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. Suva

5922-403: The ideas of Gottfried Semper while he was working at the Victoria and Albert Museum . Much of the British colonial era infrastructure of India, of which elements survive today, was created by engineers of the three presidencies' armies and the Royal Engineers. Lieutenant (later General Sir) Arthur Thomas Cotton (1803–99), Madras Engineers, was responsible for the design and construction of

6016-400: 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 population of 93,970, and Suva's metropolitan area, which includes its independent suburbs, had a population of 185,913. The combined urban population of Suva and the towns of Lami , Nasinu , and Nausori that border it was around 330,000: over a third of

6110-415: The main ones being the 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. Suva has a number of parks and a few gardens. Albert Park , in the City centre, is famous as the stage for many national-historical events such as

6204-402: The major indigenous Pacific groups: it is sometimes referred to as the “ 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. Suva has municipal status and, until 2009, was governed by

6298-436: 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

6392-473: 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. Nausori International Airport caters mainly to the domestic market, connecting Suva with Fiji's other international airport, Nadi International Airport . Fiji Airways operates

6486-430: 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. 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 Hibiscus Festival (largest carnival in

6580-469: The reconstitution of the Militia , the raising of the Volunteer Force , and the ever-closer organisation of the part-time forces with the regular army. The old Militia had been an infantry force, other than the occasional employment of Militiamen to man artillery defences and other roles on an emergency basis. This changed in 1861, with the conversion of some units to artillery roles. Militia and Volunteer Engineering companies were also created, beginning with

6674-442: The regimental motto , Ubique & Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt ("Everywhere" & "Where Right And Glory Lead"; in Latin fas implies "sacred duty") was granted. The motto signified that the Corps had seen action in all the major conflicts of the British Army and almost all of the minor ones as well. In 1855, the Board of Ordnance was abolished, and authority over the Royal Engineers, Royal Sappers and Miners and Royal Artillery

6768-635: 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 ,

6862-415: The skill of watermanship in the Royal Engineers. They have entered every Fastnet Race since the second in 1926, which they won sailing IIlex . The club was founded in 1863, under the leadership of Major Francis Marindin . Sir Frederick Wall , who was the secretary of The Football Association 1895–1934, stated in his memoirs that the " combination game " was first used by the Royal Engineers A.F.C. in

6956-481: 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 mi) away, at Pacific Harbour . A significant part of the city centre, including the Parliament buildings, is built on reclaimed mangrove swampland. Below is a list of the city's five wards, beginning with

7050-616: The specialist selection and training to qualify as Commandos or Military Parachutists . Women are eligible for all Royal Engineer specialities. The Royal School of Military Engineering (RSME) is the British Army's Centre of Excellence for Military Engineering , Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), and counter terrorist search training. Located on several sites in Chatham, Kent, Camberley in Surrey and Bicester in Oxfordshire

7144-525: 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. 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

7238-522: The voting franchise brought about by the Reform Act (1832) , demanded that boundary commissions were set up. Lieutenants Dawson and Thomas Drummond (1797–1839), Royal Engineers, were employed to gather the statistical information upon which the Bill was founded, as well as determining the boundaries and districts of boroughs. It was said that the fate of numerous boroughs fell victim to the heliostat and

7332-399: 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. Suva is a multiracial and multicultural city. Indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians , the two principal ethnic groups of Fiji, comprise the bulk of Suva's population, and

7426-469: The wet weather and more especially after floods. I am therefore induced to recommend the construction of a shaft, with a triple staircase ... the chief objective of which is the convenience and safety of troops ... and may eventually be useful in sending reinforcements to troops or in affording them a secure retreat." Twiss's plan was approved and building went ahead. The shaft was to be 26 feet (7.9 m) in diameter, 140 feet (43 m) deep with

7520-543: 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 and

7614-786: The world, including the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda , home base for vessels of the North America and West Indies Station . Chatham , being the home of the Corps, meant that the Royal Engineers and the Dockyard had a close relationship since Captain Brandreth's appointment. At the Chatham Dockyard, Captain Thomas Mould RE designed the iron roof trusses for the covered slips, 4, 5 and 6 . Slip 7

7708-657: The world. The Royal Engineers trace their origins back to the military engineers brought to England by William the Conqueror , specifically Bishop Gundulf of Rochester Cathedral , and claim over 900 years of unbroken service to the crown. Engineers have always served in the armies of the Crown; however, the origins of the modern corps, along with those of the Royal Artillery , lie in the Board of Ordnance established in

7802-761: Was a Royal Engineer , an English astronomer and chemist best known for his pioneering of colour photography and colour vision. Abney invented this instrument under the employment of the Royal School of Military Engineering in Chatham, England, in the 1870s. In 1873, Captain Henry Brandreth RE was appointed Director of the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, later the Admiralty Works Department. Following this appointment many Royal Engineer officers superintended engineering works at Royal Navy Dockyards in various parts of

7896-529: Was commanded by Colonel Richard Clement Moody , was responsible for the foundation and settlement of British Columbia as the Colony of British Columbia . The Royal Albert Hall was designed by Captain Francis Fowke and Major-General Henry Y. D. Scott of the Royal Engineers and built by Lucas Brothers . The designers were heavily influenced by ancient amphitheatres , but had also been exposed to

7990-585: Was designed by Colonel Godfrey Greene RE on his move to the Corps from the Bengal Sappers & Miners. In 1886 Major Henry Pilkington RE was appointed Superintendent of Engineering at the Dockyard, moving on to Director of Engineering at the Admiralty in 1890 and Engineer-in-Chief of Naval Loan Works, where he was responsible for the extension of all major Dockyards at home and abroad. All members of

8084-530: 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 ,

8178-465: Was instructed to modernise the existing defences. This was part of a huge programme of fortification in response to Napoleon's planned invasion of the United Kingdom . To assist with the movement of troops between Dover Castle and the town defences Twiss made his case for building the Grand Shaft in the cliff: "... the new barracks. ... are little more than 300 yards horizontally from

8272-444: 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 was moved out of that complex and into a new one on Ratu Sukuna Road . Government House was formerly the residence of Fiji's colonial governors and, after Fijian independence in 1970, governors-general . Today, it is the official residence of Fiji's president . The original house on

8366-534: Was left to dig and it is probable that the project was completed by 1807. Two Acts of Parliament allowed for the building of Pentonville Prison for the detention of convicts sentenced to imprisonment or awaiting transportation. Construction started on 10 April 1840 and was completed in 1842. The cost was £84,186 12s 2d. Captain (later Major General Sir) Joshua Jebb designed Pentonville Prison , introducing new concepts such as single cells with good heating, ventilation and sanitation. Although mapping by what became

8460-468: Was located near Suva. The company's original intention was to develop a cotton farming industry, but the land and climate proved unsuitable. In 1874, control of the Fiji Islands was ceded to the United Kingdom. In 1877, the 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

8554-577: Was sent as bishop in 1077. Almost immediately the King appointed him to supervise the construction of the White Tower , now part of the Tower of London in 1078. Under William Rufus he also undertook building work on Rochester Castle . Having served three kings of England and earning "the favour of them all", Gundulf is accepted as the first "King's Engineer". The Band of the Corps of the Royal Engineers

8648-737: Was shown when in 1983, the Indian Government erected a statue in his memory at Dowleswaram . Other irrigation and canal projects included the Ganges Canal , where Colonel Sir Colin Scott-Moncrieff (1836–1916) acted as the Chief Engineer and made modifications to the original work. Among other engineers trained in India, Scott-Moncrieff went on to become Under Secretary of State Public Works, Egypt where he restored

8742-564: Was the host of the first Pacific Games , in 1963. Forty years later in 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. Headquartered in Suva are the three main national television stations, Fiji One , FBC TV and MAI TV along with

8836-686: Was transferred to the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces , thus uniting them with the rest of the Army. The following year, the Royal Engineers and Royal Sappers and Miners became a unified corps as the Corps of Royal Engineers , and their headquarters were moved from the Royal Arsenal , Woolwich, to Chatham, Kent . The re-organisation of the British military that began in the mid-Nineteenth Century and stretched over several decades included

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