Mbenga ( Fij. Beqa ) - an island in Fiji .
| Mbenga | |
|---|---|
| Fij. Beqa | |
 | |
| Characteristics | |
| Area | 36 km² |
| Highest point | 457 m |
| Population | 1,500 people (1996) |
| Population density | 41.67 people / km² |
| Location | |
| Water area | Pacific Ocean |
| A country |
|
| Region | Central District |
Content
- 1 Geography
- 2 History
- 3 population
- 4 Economics
- 5 notes
Geography
Mbenga Island is located off the southern coast of Fiji's main island, Viti Levu , about 8 km south of the mouth of the Navua River, in the South Pacific . It is separated from Viti Levu by the Mbenga Strait, the depth of which is over 200 m [1] . The island is part of the Viti Levu island group and is washed by the waters of the Kandavu Strait . The nearest mainland, Australia , is 2,700 km away.
From the point of view of geology, Mbenga is of volcanic origin and, presumably, was formed during the Holocene [2] [3] . The area of the island is 36 km², and the highest point reaches 457 m [2] . The surface of the island is very uneven, only 12% of the land can be used for agricultural purposes. In the immediate vicinity of the island, off the southern coast of Mbeng, there is a large barrier reef surrounding the central lagoon [1] .
Mbenga is covered in dense rainforest. Of the vegetation, coconut palms prevail. The world of fauna is relatively scarce: there are flying foxes , winged birds , rats , various species of lizards . The climate on the island is humid tropical . Affected by the negative effects of cyclones [2] .
History
The first European to land on the island of Mbenga was Captain C. Bentley in 1799. At the end of the 19th century, a Polynesian company operated on the island. Around the same time, Mbenga became part of the British colony of Fiji [4] .
Population
The population of Mbenga is about 1,500 people (1996), who live in 9 villages.
Economics
The main occupation of local residents is agriculture and tourism . The ritual, which consists in walking barefoot on hot stones, is especially popular with tourists.
The Fiji Times reported on February 25, 2006 that more than 3,000 residents of six villages and five resorts are looking for ways to find a reliable source of energy for Beck. The energy of the wind and the sun, as well as the cable through the Bek Strait from the mainland, were considered.
Beka is the main source of income for tourism; 4 resorts: Lawaki Beach House, Beqa Lagoon Resort (formerly Marlin Bay Resort), Kulu Bay Resort, Lalati Resort. In addition, Royal Davui Resort is located on Beck Island, Steward Island. No other resorts are planned for Beck. There are several small farm enterprises, and with improved infrastructure, they can be expanded to generate more income for the various villages of Bek.
Beqa developed the name for the off-season of tomatoes, thanks to the unique climate that Beqa allows to grow tomatoes all year round.
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 RD Gillie. Geography (USP) Field Trip. Beqa Island, Fiji, March 26-28, 1992 . - 1992. - S. 7. (unavailable link)
- ↑ 1 2 3 Islands of Fiji. Beqa (Mbengga ) . UN SYSTEM-WIDE EARTHWATCH Web Site. Date of treatment April 10, 2010. Archived April 21, 2012.
- ↑ Patrick D. Nunn. Pacific island landscapes: landscape and geological development of southwest Pacific islands, especially Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. - 1998. - S. 52. - 318 p. - ISBN 9820201292 .
- ↑ About Beqa Island (inaccessible link) . Lawaki Beach House. Date of treatment April 10, 2010. Archived April 22, 2012.