Levuka Historical Port Town
The town, with its low-slung buildings nestled among coconut and mango trees along the beach, was Fiji's first colonial capital, ceded to Britain in 1874. It developed from the early 19th century as a centre of commercial activity for Americans and Europeans, who built warehouses, shops, port facilities, residences, and religious, educational and social institutions around villages of indigenous South Pacific islanders. It is a rare example of a late colonial port town whose development was influenced by the indigenous community, which consistently outnumbered European settlers. As such, the town is an outstanding example of a late 19th century Pacific port settlement, reflecting the integration of local architectural traditions by the supreme naval power, resulting in a unique landscape.