About Vanuatu in detail

Flag of Vanuatu	Map of Vanuatu

Each is speaking a distinct language; multiple waves of colonizers migrated to the New Hebrides in the millennia preceding European exploration in the 18th century. This settlement pattern accounts for the complex linguistic diversity found on the archipelago to this day. The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980 when Vanuatu’s new name was adopted. Politics and society continue to be divided along linguistic lines, although those divisions are lessening over time. Coalition governments tend to be weak, and since 2008, prime ministers have been ousted through no-confidence motions or temporary procedural issues ten times. Prime Minister Charlot SALAWI has survived four no-confidence motions since taking office in 2016.

Vanuatu’s names conventional long form: the Republic of Vanuatu, traditional short form: Vanuatu, local long form: Republic blong Vanuatu, local short state: Vanuatu, former: New Hebrides, etymology: derived from the words “Vanua” (home or land) and “tu” (stand) that occur in several of the Austronesian languages spoken on the islands and which provide the meaning of “independence” or the sense of “our land.”

Vanuatu’s terrain is typically mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin, narrow coastal plains. The country’s mean elevation: N/A, elevation extremes; lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m, highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m.

The general climate in the country; tropical: moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October: moderate rainfall from November to April: may be affected by cyclones from December to April.

The total number of border countries is 0; none are the neighboring nations with the indicated border lengths. Vanuatu’s coastline is 2,528 km. Its marital claims are: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nautical miles, contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles, exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles, continental shelf: 200 nautical miles or to the edge of the continental margin. Waterways: N/A. Land use: agricultural land: 15.3%; arable land 1.6%; permanent crops 10.3%; permanent pasture 3.4%; forest: 36.1%; other: 48.6% (2011 estimate).

The population in Vanuatu 288,037 (July 2018 estimate), urban population: 26.1% of total population (2015), major urban area’s population: PORT-VILA (capital) 53,000 (2014), while Vanuatu has N/A. Their spoken languages are: local languages (more than 100) 63.2%, Bislama (official language; creole) 33.7%, English (official language) 2%, French (official language) 0.6%, other 0.5% (2009 estimate).

Main religions in Vanuatu are Protestant 70% (includes Presbyterian 27.9%, Anglican 15.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.5%, Assemblies of God 4.7%, Church of Christ 4.5%, Neil Thomas Ministry 3.1%, and Apostolic 2.2%), Roman Catholic 12.4%, customary beliefs 3.7% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 12.6%, none 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2009 estimate). The nation uses a mixed legal system of English common law, French law, and customary law. It is a(n) parliamentary republic, National holiday(s) Independence Day, 30 July (1980).

Economic overview for the country: This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for about two-thirds of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with more than 330,000 visitors in 2017, are other mainstays of the economy. Tourism has struggled after Efate, the most populous and most popular island for tourists, was damaged by Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015. Ongoing infrastructure difficulties at Port Vila’s Bauerfield Airport have caused air travel disruptions, further hampering tourism numbers. Australia and New Zealand are the primary sources of tourists and foreign aid. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Mineral deposits are negligible; The country has no known petroleum deposits. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and constituent islands. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten its offshore financial center regulation. Since 2002, the government has stepped up efforts to boost tourism through improved air connections, resort development, and cruise ship facilities. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth.

Natural resources of Vanuatu: manganese, hardwood forests, fish.

Main export partners for Vanuatu, Oceania are Japan 35.1%, Turkey 10.5%, Thailand 8.7%, China 8.2%, Venezuela 5.9%, UK 5.6% (2015) for copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee, while the main import partners for the country are: China 16.7%, Australia 14.6%, Japan 13.9%, Singapore 10%, Fiji 9.3%, NZ 8.3%, New Caledonia 5.2% (2015) for machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels.

When you visit this country in Oceania, consider the natural hazards in Vanuatu: Tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April), the volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began on 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes, tsunamis. Volcanism: significant volcanic activity with multiple explosions in recent years, Yasur (elevation 361 m), one of the world’s most active volcanoes, has experienced continuous activity in recent centuries; other historically active volcanoes include Aoba, Ambrym, Epi, Gaua, Kuwae, Lopevi, Suretamatai, and Traitor’s Head, while infectious diseases are N/A. Also, note that Vanuatu faces the following environmental issues: Population growth, water pollution, most of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water, Inadequate sanitation, Deforestation.

You may also be interested in the countries next to Vanuatu around its 0 km border – No border countries.