Nadi (Fiji)

Nadi (pronounced [ˈnandi] NAN-dee; Fiji Hindi: नदी) is the third-largest conurbation in Fiji. It is located on the western side of the main island of Viti Levu, and had a population of 42,284 at the most recent census, in 2007. A 2012 estimate showed that the population had grown to over 50,000. Nadi is multiracial with many of its inhabitants Asians, Indian or Indigenous Fijians, along with a large transient population of foreign tourists. Along with sugar cane production, tourism is a mainstay of the local economy. The Nadi region has Fiji's highest concentration of hotels and motels. With its large Indo-Fijian population, Nadi is a centre for Hinduism in Fiji. It has the largest Hindu temple in the Southern hemisphere, a site for pilgrims called Sri Siva Subramaniya temple. Nadi International Airport, located 9 kilometres from Nadi, is the largest airport in Fiji. Thus, Nadi is the principal port of entry for air travelers to Fiji, even though it is on the opposite (western) side of the island of Viti Levu from the nation's capital and largest city, Suva.