The city is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu, in Rewa Province, Central Division.

In 1877, the capital of Fiji was moved to Suva from Levuka, the main European colonial settlement at the time, due to the restrictive geography and environs of the latter.

The city also has a thriving arts and performance scene, and a growing reputation as the region's fashion capital.

The company's original intention was to develop a cotton farming industry, but the land and climate proved unsuitable.

Its area remained one square mile until 1952 when Suva annexed the Muanikau and Samabula wards, expanding its territory to 13 km2 (5.0 sq mi).

In preparation for hosting the event, the Fijian government, with the help of a $16 million aid package from the People's Republic of China, funded the construction of a new gymnasium, indoor sports centre, swimming pool, stadium, field hockey pitch, and grandstands in the area around Suva.

The mountains to its north and west catch the southeast trade winds, producing year-round moist conditions.

Although Suva is on a peninsula, and almost surrounded by sea, its coast is lined with mangroves - the nearest beach is 40 kilometres (25 mi) away, at Pacific Harbour.

A significant part of the city centre, including the Parliament buildings, is built on reclaimed mangrove swampland.

To the north and northeast are the rainforest-park areas of Colo-i-Suva and Sawani, along the Princes Road, which connect at the Rewa River Bridge.

The city sees a copious amount of precipitation throughout the year, with no true dry season; no month has an average rainfall below 60 mm (2 in).

Indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians, the two principal ethnic groups of Fiji, comprise the bulk of Suva's population, and the city is home to most of Fiji's ethnic minority populations, which include Rotumans, Lauans, Rambians, Europeans (known as Kaivalagi), part-Europeans (of European and Fijian descent, known as “Kailoma") and Chinese, among others.

The city has a reputation as a major economic centre in the region and is the site of University of the South Pacific's main campus.

Councillors were elected by residents, landowners, and representatives of corporations owning or occupying taxable property in Suva councillors in turn elect, from among their own members, a lord mayor and deputy lord mayor, who served one-year terms and were eligible for re-election.

In 1935, the creek was drained, and the complex's foundations were created by driving more than five kilometres of reinforced concrete pilings into its bed.

The Suva campus of the University of the South Pacific (USP) occupies what was originally a New Zealand military base.

The new Takashi Suzuki Garden, in Apted Park at Suva Point, is a popular spot for viewing sunrise and sunset.

This low-rise (six-storey) building was constructed in December 2009 in a joint venture by FNPF and the Tappoo Group of Companies.

Suva is the commercial center of Fiji: Most international banks have their Pacific headquarters here, including ANZ and the Westpac.

The largest of Suva's several industrial areas is Walu Bay, which is home to factories, warehouses, import-export companies, shipyards, container yards, a brewery, and many printeries.

Albert Park, in the City centre, is famous as the stage for many national-historical events such as the Independence of Fiji, the landing by Kingsford Smith on the Southern Cross and many parades and carnivals.

Some of the famous music artists to hold shows in Suva include UB40, Lucky Dube, O'Yaba, Sean Kingston and many others.

Due to a favoured interest in Bollywood by all, some prominent singers and actors have held shows in the capital which include singers like Shaan, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan and movie artists like Shah Rukh Khan,[18] Priyanka Chopra,[19] Johnny Lever, Dino Morea, Rajpal Yadav, Sunny Leone and the like.

Indentured labourers brought with them spices, chilies, and other herbs and vegetables which now are part of the Fijian culinary experience.

During the course of the year, arts, music and trade festivals are held in Suva, albeit on a small scale.

There are a few large and notable festivals that occur annually and these include the Hibiscus Festival (largest carnival in the South Pacific islands), the New Years Street Party, and the Fiji Show Case tradeshow that includes carnival rides, food as well as magic and circus performances.

Suva plays host to many regional and national sporting events, most notably at the HFC Bank Stadium.

The Capital City is represented in major sporting events by its respective rugby, netball and football teams.

Forty years later in 2003 the Games returned to Fiji's capital, with a full program of 32 sports introduced for the first time.