Levuka

Division

Levuka is a town on the Fiji archipelago belonging Ovalau.

The city is not only the administrative seat of the province Lomaiviti, but also the capital of the Eastern Division. Levuka was until 1882 the capital of the British colony of Fiji (English: Fiji ). With 4,397 inhabitants according to the 2007 census Levuka is the largest settlement in the Eastern Division.

The town was declared a World Heritage Site in June 2013 by UNESCO as " an outstanding example of a Pacific port city of the late 19th century."

History

Around 1820, the original settlement was founded as a city by European settlers and traders, they considered the first modern city in Fiji and became an important port and trading center. The white population sat at the time composed of a mixture of adventurers, missionaries, traders, boat builders, speculators and respectable businessmen. Marist Fathers (Society of Mary, Marists ) founded under the direction of Father Breheret 1858 a mission station. By 1870 the city had a population of around 800 inhabitants.

As the nation Fiji was founded in 1871, located Seru Cakobau Epenisa ( letters also: Thamkombau ) was in Levuka to the king ( Tui Viti ) crown. On October 10, 1874, the British Empire annexed as a colony Fiji, Levuka remained the capital until 1882, although in 1877 the administration was moved to Suva.

Many institutions were first established or founded, including the first bank in Fiji, the first post office, the first public school, a hospital, a city hall for the local government in Levuka. 1869, the Fiji Times was founded in Levuka, which then moved to Suva. Work on the infrastructure needed by the Pacific from the space through the Blackbirding to Fiji ship forced conscription be made that were needed for sugar cane and cotton plantations as laborers.

Sacred Heart Church, Beach Street

War Memorial, Beach Street

Economy

The importance as a port of call in the Pacific ship traffic increased significantly from the late 1950s, it threatened the economic decline.

Since 1964 is in Levuka a Fijian - Japanese joint venture to which the landed fish, mainly tuna, processed and exported.

Tourism

Previously Tourism plays (2013 ) no major role, although the city itself is attractive because of the colonial time architecture. From time to time, put here to cruise ships.