Rotuma

Rotuma Island Rotuma
Location of Rotuma in Melanesia.
Schematic map of Rotuma indicating districts and main villages.
Administrative center	Ahau 12°29.9′S 177°2.82′E / 12.4983°S 177.04700°E / -12.4983; 177.04700
Official languages	Rotuman English
Ethnic groups	Rotuman
Demonym	Rotuman
Government	Dependency of Fiji
• Gagaj Pure (District officer)	Niumaia Masere
• Gagaj Jeaman (Council chairman)	Tarterani Rigamoto
Independence from the United Kingdom as part of Fiji
• Date	October 10, 1970
Area
• Total	46 km2 (18 sq mi)
Population
• 2007 census	2,002
Currency	Fiji dollar (FJD)
Time zone	(UTC+12)
Calling code	+679

Rotuma is a Fijian dependency, consisting of Rotuma Island and nearby islets. The island group is home to a small but unique indigenous ethnic group which constitutes a recognisable minority within the population of Fiji, known as "Rotumans". Its population at the 2007 census was 2,002, although many more Rotumans live on mainland Fijian islands, totaling 10,000.

These volcanic islands are located 646 kilometres (Suva to Ahau) north of Fiji. Rotuma Island itself is 13 kilometres long and 4 kilometres wide, with a land area of approximately 43 square kilometres, making it the 12th largest island of Fiji. The island is bisected into a larger eastern part, and a western peninsula, by a low narrow isthmus only 230 m wide, the location of Motusa village (Itu'ti'u district). North of the isthmus is Maka Bay, and in the south Hapmafau Bay. There are a large population of coral reefs in these bays, through which there are boat passages.

Rotuma is a shield volcano made of alkali-olivine basalt and hawaiite, with many small cones, and reaches 256 metres (840 ft) above sea level at Mount Suelhof near the center of the island. Satarua Peak, 166 meters high, lies near the eastern end of the island. While very secluded from much of Fiji proper, the large reef and untouched beaches are renowned as some of the most beautiful in all of Fiji.

There are some islands located at a distance between 50 meters and 2 km from the main island, but still within the fringing reef:

Additionally, there is a separate chain of islands between 3-6 kilometers northwest and west of the westernmost point of Rotuma Island. From northeast to southwest, are:

Linguistic evidence suggests an original settlement from Fiji. Linguists include the Rotuman language in a subgroup with the languages of western Fiji, but Rotuman also has a large number of Polynesian loanwords, indicating later contact with Samoa and Tonga.