Lautoka is the second largest city of Fiji. It is in the west of the island of Viti Levu, 24 kilometers north of Nadi, and is capital of the Western Division of Fiji. Covering an area of 1607 square kilometers, it had a population of 42,917 at the 1996 census, the last held to date. Fiji is divided administratively into four divisions, which are further subdivided into fourteen provinces. ... Viti Levu is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji. ... Sri Siva Subramaniya temple, a centre of worship for Fijis Hindu community and one of Nadis most visible landmarks. ... Map of Fiji showing Western division. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... A census is the process of obtaining information about every member of a population (not necessarily a human population). ...

Economic activities

Lautoka is known as the Sugar City because of its cane belt areas. The main Lautoka Sugar Mill is the city's biggest employer by far. Built for the Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR) by imported labourers from India and the Solomon Islands between 1899 and 1903, it hires some 1300 employees today. Other industries include timber milling, garment manufacturing, distillery, brewery, jewellery, blending, steelworks, fishing, hatchery, domestic items, paints, and construction. Species Ref: ITIS 42058 as of 2004-05-05 Sugarcane is one of six species of a tall tropical southeast Asian grass (Family Poaceae) having stout fibrous jointed stalks whose sap at one time was the primary source of sugar. ... 1899 (MDCCCXCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1903 (MCMIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

History

The name of the city is derived from two Fijian words meaning "spear hit." According to an oral tradition, the name arose following a duel between two chiefs. As one speared the other, he was reported to have cried "Lau-toka!" Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. ...

The first known European sighting of the Lautoka area took place on 7 May 1789. Captain William Bligh spotted and roughly charted the coasts of Lautoka while making his epic voyage to Timor, in the wake of the Mutiny on the Bounty in which he and a few sailors loyal to him were thrown overboard and cast adrift on a life boat. May 7 is the 127th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (128th in leap years). ... 1789 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Captain is both a nautical term and a rank in various uniformed organizations. ... William Bligh in 1814 Vice Admiral of the Blue William Bligh, FRS (9 September 1754 - 7 December 1817) was an officer of the British Royal Navy and colonial administrator. ... Map of Timor Timor Island from space, November 1989 (North is to the bottom of the image). ... The mutineers turning Lt Bligh and some of the officers and crew adrift from HMAV Bounty, 29 April 1789. ...

Politics

Incorporated as a town in 1929, Lautoka was proclaimed a city on 25 February 1977. It is governed by a 16-member city council, who elect from among themselves a Mayor. Bijesh Chand of the Fiji Labour Party (FLP) was elected Mayor in 2005, succeeding Rajendra Goundar, also of the FLP. Chand later left the party, however, and constested the municipal elections of October-November 2005 as an independent candidate. He lost his seat. The FLP won 12 seats and the United Fiji Party (SDL) 4. Main street in Bastrop, Texas, a small town A town is a residential community of people ranging from a few hundred to several thousands, although it may be applied loosely even to huge metropolitan areas. ... 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... A panorama of Sydney, Australia at night. ... February 25 is the 56th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger,greater) is the politician who serves as chief executive official of some types of municipalities. ... The Fiji Labour Party is a political party in Fiji. ... Fijis municipal elections of October 2002 produced results that allowed three major political parties, the United Fiji Party (SDL), the Fiji Labour Party (FLP), and the National Federation Party (NFP) to claim a victory of sorts. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Municipal elections were held for 11 of Fijis twelve city and town councils on 22 October 2005. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Politics of Fiji Categories: Fiji-related stubs | Fijian political parties ...

Lautoka is the capital of Fiji's Western Division, which contains more than 50 percent of the nation's population. It is also the headquarters of the Fiji Electrical Authority, the Fiji Pine Commission, and the National Marketing Authority. In politics, a capital (also called capital city or political capital — although the latter phrase has an alternative meaning based on an alternative meaning of capital) is the principal city or town associated with its government. ... Map of Fiji showing Western division. ...

Political divisions of Fiji
	Divisions: Central | Eastern | Northern | Western Provinces: Ba | Bua | Cakaudrove | Kadavu | Lau | Lomaiviti | Macuata | Nadroga-Navosa | Naitasiri | Namosi | Ra | Rewa | Serua | Tailevu Dependency: Rotuma Cities: Lautoka | Suva Towns: Ba | Labasa | Lami | Levuka | Nadi | Nasinu | Nausori | Savusavu | Sigatoka | Tavua