- including Uea, Hatana, Hofliua    [1434]
   Group: Rotuma Group   Archipelago: Fiji Islands
   Country: Fiji   Region: Oceania 7
Lat: 12.50� S   Long : 177.13� E
Area: 44.0 sq. km   Altitude: 256 m
Submerged area <100 m: 200 sq. km Reef area: 0 sq. km Lagoon area: 0 sq. km
Depth to nearest land: 2000 m
Nearest island: 350 km   group: 500 km
Nearest continent: Australia    Distance: 3000 km    Isolation Index: 96
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic      Natural Protection Indicator: 1
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
Active shield volcano of alkali-olivine basalt and hawaiite with surface of lava flows, scoria and tuffs of Recent and late Pleistocene age; main island of two parts connected by sandy isthmus, with littoral and coastal terraces and central plateau (30-60 m) with steep volcanic cones; last eruption since human settlement; one perennial stream; 3 small volcanic islets and 5 reef islets, lagoon and barrier reef
CLIMATE: wet tropical 24-32�C, 3350 mm
WATER BALANCE: rare dry periods up to 3 months
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones, volcanic eruptions
   Threat Indicator: 2
ECOSYSTEMS:           Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 5    Marine: 5
Some pockets of second growth lowland rain forest; rocky shore and beaches, sandy-mud bays with seagrasses, some mangroves; fringing and barrier reefs Forest
   Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 98% Mangrove: 1%

Noa'ia 'e Mauri

Rotuma is a volcanic island of approximately 43 sq. kilometers, located at 12 degrees south latitude and 177 degrees east longitude, approximately 465 kilometers north of Fiji. Although the island has been politically part of Fiji since 1881, Rotuman culture more closely resembles that of the Polynesian islands to the east, most noticeably Tonga, Samoa, Futuna and Uvea. Because of their Polynesian appearance and distinctive language, Rotumans now constitute a recognizable minority group within the Republic of Fiji.

One purpose of this website is to provide information about Rotuman society and culture to those who wish to learn more about the island and its people. It contains information about Rotuman history, language, population and culture, as well as maps. A summary of recent publications concerning Rotuma is also presented.

A second purpose is to provide Rotumans, and those already familiar with the island, with news from Rotuman communities around the world. Far more Rotumans now live abroad (in Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Europe) than live on the home island. This website is intended to give them a place where they can share news and communicate with one another. For these purposes a news page is included, as well as a bulletin board.