Labasa
{{More citations needed|date=July 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Labasa
|native_name =
|other_name = {{nobold|लम्बासा}}
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|settlement_type = Town
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|image_skyline = USP Labasa.jpg
|imagesize = 275px
|image_caption = University of the South Pacific, Labasa
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|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flagicon|Fiji}} Fiji
|subdivision_type1 = Division
|subdivision_name1 = Northern Division
|subdivision_type2 = Province
|subdivision_name2 = Macuata
|subdivision_type3 = District
|subdivision_name3 = {{interlanguage link|Labasa District, Fiji|hif|Labasa district, Fiji|lt=Labasa}}
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|population_total = 28, 500
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Labasa ({{IPA|fj|lamˈbasa|audio|LL-Q33295 (fij)-Noaius Paticus-Labasa.wav}}, {{langx|hi|लम्बासा}}) is a town in Fiji with a population of 28,500 at the 2010 census.
Labasa is located in Macuata Province, in the north-eastern part of the island of Vanua Levu, and is the largest town on the island. The town itself is located on a delta formed by three rivers – the Wailevu, the Labasa (after which the town is named), and the Qawa. The township historically served the sugar cane farms and farm workers with harvesting season resulting in significant seasonal employment, although the township is now less dependent on the sugar industry. The farmers' market offers seasonal produce and seafood. The main street is lined with small family run businesses, supermarkets and restaurants offering a lively pedestrian thoroughfare.
Demographics & culture
Labasa is heavily Indo-Fijian, and downtown Labasa is consequently filled with curry houses and sari shops.{{cite web | url=https://fijipocketguide.com/the-5-biggest-towns-cities-in-fiji/ | title=The 5 Biggest Towns & Cities in Fiji | date=24 January 2019 }} It is the fourth-largest city in Fiji.{{cite web | url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/cities/fiji | title=Population of Cities in Fiji 2023 }}
Known as the Friendly North for its warm, hospitable culture, Labasa is home to the popular Festival of the Friendly North, which has run for over 40 years{{cite web | url=https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/fiji/articles/fiji-s-top-10-festivals-you-don-t-want-to-miss/ | title=The Top 10 Festivals You Don't Want to Miss in Fiji | date=8 June 2015 }} and has resulted in over 1.3 million in charitable projects in the region.{{cite web | url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2017/05/31/vodafone-backs-friendly-north-festival-for-next-three-years/ | title=Vodafone backs Friendly North Festival for next three years }}
Climate
{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y
|collapsed = Y
|location = Labasa (1991–2020 normals)
|Jan high C = 31.8
|Feb high C = 31.9
|Mar high C = 32.0
|Apr high C = 31.5
|May high C = 30.8
|Jun high C = 30.2
|Jul high C = 29.8
|Aug high C = 29.9
|Sep high C = 30.6
|Oct high C = 31.0
|Nov high C = 31.6
|Dec high C = 31.9
| year high C = 31.1
|Jan mean C = 27.2
|Feb mean C = 27.2
|Mar mean C = 27.3
|Apr mean C = 26.7
|May mean C = 25.5
|Jun mean C = 24.7
|Jul mean C = 24.1
|Aug mean C = 24.4
|Sep mean C = 25.2
|Oct mean C = 25.8
|Nov mean C = 26.6
|Dec mean C = 27.0
| year mean C = 26.0
|Jan low C = 22.5
|Feb low C = 22.5
|Mar low C = 22.5
|Apr low C = 21.8
|May low C = 20.3
|Jun low C = 19.2
|Jul low C = 18.4
|Aug low C = 18.8
|Sep low C = 19.6
|Oct low C = 20.5
|Nov low C = 21.5
|Dec low C = 22.2
| year low C = 20.8
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 411.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 389.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 339.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 231.7
|May precipitation mm = 96.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 75.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 47.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 51.3
|Sep precipitation mm = 70.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 105.9
|Nov precipitation mm = 160.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 236.6
| year precipitation mm = 2215.9
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 17.3
|Feb precipitation days = 16.3
|Mar precipitation days = 16.9
|Apr precipitation days = 12.0
|May precipitation days = 7.0
|Jun precipitation days = 4.9
|Jul precipitation days = 3.8
|Aug precipitation days = 4.6
|Sep precipitation days = 5.7
|Oct precipitation days = 8.2
|Nov precipitation days = 10.8
|Dec precipitation days = 14.1
|year precipitation days = 121.6
|source 1 = World Meteorological Organization{{cite web
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-5-WMO-Normals-9120/Fiji/CSV/LabasaAirfield_91657.csv
| title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = 19 October 2023}}
}}
Economic activities
File:Labasa airport (5744700848).jpg
The surrounding areas of Labasa are mostly farming areas, which contribute to much of the industry in the town. The largest crop grown is sugar cane. The large Fiji Sugar Corporation-1894 sugar mill on the outskirts of Labasa town is the only such mill on the island.
Recently, due to political changes and loss of overseas markets, sugar cane farming and production has been steadily decreasing. This has been reflected in the increasing migration of people to the main island of Viti Levu, in search of employment opportunities.
Labasa Hospital is the referral centre for all health centres and hospital on the island of Vanua Levu, and has recently been expanded.
Labasa is generally an agricultural town, off the tourist track. The Labasa Airport is located in Waiqele about 7 km from the town centre with multiple daily domestic flights to Nausori and Nadi international airports. Passenger ferry connections require an overland trip to either Nabouwalu or Savusavu. Labasa has a couple of hotels to stay in (Takia/Travel Lodge and Grand Eastern Hotel). There is at least one movie theatre and several restaurants in the main street providing a range of local and Chinese flavours.
There is a fairly large market towards the end of the town where one can buy and sample a range of foods, spices, fish, poultry, goats and other local products. A large taxi stand and a bus stop is also by the market.
It also has some popular tourist spots while the people of Labasa are quite well known for their hospitality.{{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}
Sports
Labasa is a soccer loving town.
The Labasa soccer team is known as the "Babasiga Lions" and play their home games at Subrail Park. Its most famous talent is Roy Krishna, born and bred in Siberia, a farming community about five kilometres from Labasa town. Krishna was also Fiji's flag bearer to the 2019 Pacific Games held in Samoa.
Local government
Incorporated as a town in 1939, Labasa is governed by a 12-member town council, whose members elect a Mayor from among themselves. Councillors serve three-year terms; the Mayor's term is for one year, but may be extended any number of times. Labasa's current Mayor, elected on 28 October 2005 following the municipal election to the town council one week earlier, is Dr Pradeep Singh of the Fiji Labour Party (FLP). Leslie Williams was chosen as his deputy, but was replaced by Shivlal Nagindas on 30 October 2006.{{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}
In 2009, the Military-backed interim government dismissed all municipal governments throughout Fiji and appointed special administrators to run the urban areas. As of 2015, elected municipal government has not been restored. The special administrator of Labasa, along with nearby Savusavu, is Vijay Chand.{{cite web|title=SAVUSAVU TOWN DECLARED SMOKE FREE ZONE|url=http://www.fiji.gov.fj/Media-Center/Press-Releases/SAVUSAVU-TOWN-DECLARED-SMOKE-FREE-ZONE.aspx|website=The Fijian Government|publisher=Department of Information|access-date=28 June 2015}}
Notable people
- Roy Krishna, footballer
- Kameli Soejima, rugby union player
- Semi Valemei, rugby league player