Fun Facts to know before your first Fiji holiday

If you've never been to Fiji before, you're in for a treat. White sand islands, swaying palm trees and year-round warm weather. Here are some interesting insights from Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort to help make your first visit to Fiji as perfect as the scenery.

1) Fiji is made up of over 300 islands

Fiji is one big chain of tropical islands, only around 100 of which are inhabited. The two biggest islands – Vanua Levu and Viti Levu – host the vast majority of the population and are the region's international travel hubs. A range of light aircraft and boats connect the other islands.

Fiji is a country made up of hundreds of tropical islands.

2) Traditional music, singing and dancing are a huge part of the culture

Fijians are often called the happiest people in the world. Maybe it's because they're always singing and dancing – you'll even be serenaded at Nadi airport as you disembark your international flight.

Expect to hear a Fijian tune whenever anyone arrives or leaves the resort, and make sure to take in one of the spectacular evening cultural shows.

3) The underwater scenery is just as impressive

Hailed as the coral capital of the world, Fiji's reefs are mighty impressive. One of the most popular options for visitors is the Namena Reef, complete with a huge variety of fish and a colourful collection of coral.

Fiji's waters are home to colourful coral reefs.

4) Kava is the national drink

Kava is the country's traditional drink is mad from the ground root of a plant in the pepper family. It's believed to cure headache and stress, as well as help you sleep. As an important social and cultural custom, it's usually consumed as part of a ceremony and you may well have the opportunity to join in during your stay.

5) Bula and Vinaka

The Fijian words for "Hello" and "Thank you" are just two of the words you'll hear warmly exchanged between old friends and new all the time when you visit Fiji. However, there are actually three main languages in region – Fijian, Fiji Hindi and English. The English language is taught in school, so you'll find it easy to communicate with locals.

Say "Bula" to your new Fijian friends.

6) Christian culture

Fiji's main religion is Christianity, but there are also a number of Roman Catholics and Hindus too. In fact, one of the major landmarks in Nadi is the colourful Sri Siva Subramaniya temple. For Fiji's Christians, Sundays are typically a day of rest, with the vast majority of locals putting on their finest to attend church.

Of course, depending who you speak to, rugby is a local religion too.