Cultural Exploration

Kyra AmmonSociology pd 6March 1, 2012

Fiji

Location

• Fiji is an island group located in Oceania in the south Pacific Ocean.

• Located between Hawaii and New Zealand.

• Capital city: Suva

• English and Fijian are the official languages of Fiji. Hindustani is also spoken.

• Protestant (55.4%) and Hindu (27.9%) are the two most prominent religions.

• Population: 890,057

Fijian FlagThe British flag symbol in the corner simply represents Fiji’s ties to Britain. The shield symbol is the Fijian coat of arms. Other pictures depict the flag with a light blue base.

Economy/Issues

• Fiji is one of the most developed island economies.– Resources include those of fish, minerals,

and forest.– Large amount of their foreign exchange

comes from tourism, sugar, as well as Fijians working abroad.

– However, there are issues concerning land ownership and disputes over who owns what. The government is also criticized for its inability to manage the budget.

History

• Fiji was a British colony for close to a century until it gained independence in 1970.

• After thirty-one years and a few conflicts between the two major religious groups, Fiji returned to democracy in 2001.– This resulted in an increase in number of

tourists.

Social Norms/Customs

• Firewalking, in which Fijians walk on heated stones or embers.

• Celebrations called Mekes depict legends and history through song, dance, and play performances.

Fijians at the annual Diwali FestivalThe Diwali Festival, a.k.a. the Festival of Light, is practiced worldwide by Hindus. In Fiji, however, the celebrations are so widespread that most people participate regardless of religious affiliation.

Hungary

Location

• Hungary is a country in Central Europe.

• Located northwest of Romania.

• Capital: Budapest

• Hungarian is the language spoken.

• Roman Catholic makes up about half of the religions, followed in size by Calvinist, Lutheran, Greek Catholic, and other Christian religions, respectively.

• Population: 9,958,453

Map of Hungary.The red stripe represents strength, the white stripe represents loyalty and fidelity, and the green stripe represents hope.

Economy/Issues

• Largely a market economy after having been a centrally planned economy for some time.

• The large majority of its exports is machinery.

Works Cited• http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/directory.html• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/• http://travel.state.gov• http://www.bestfijideals.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Fiji-Travel-Holiday.jpg• http://www.diwalifestival.org/diwali-in-fiji.html• http://museumvictoria.com.au/pages/8866/med-size-img_6264_night007---fiji-indian-dance

r-at-diwali--credit-ivan-diaz.jpg• http://koreanpress.net/news_file/diwali102608.gif• http://flowerpower1.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/world-day-for-cultural-diversity.jpg• http://images.travelpod.com/users/neilmel/1.1230514680.fijian-flag.jpg• http://www.proudtobebritish.co.uk/Product_Images/XLarge/Fiji.jpg• http://www.yourtravelsource.com/Fiji/Customs/customs.html• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/europe/hungary/map_of_hungary.jpg• http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/image/2841.html• http://www.worldflags101.com/f/fiji-flag.aspx