Fun Easy English - Travel abroad Vanuatu.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Vanuatu

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION

Vanuatu consists of 80 islands in a Y-shaped archipelago, 1300 miles northeast of Sydney, Australia. It is an independent parliamentary democracy and a member of the British Commonwealth, with a primarily agricultural economy. Tourist facilities are limited outside the capital, Port Vila, which is located on the Island of Efate. The National Tourism Office of Vanuatu can be contacted at P.O. Box 209, Port Vila, Vanuatu, telephone (678) 22515, 22685, 22813, fax (678) 23889, e-mail: tourism@vanuatu.com.vu.

GEOGRAPHY

Vanuatu is a 'Y' shaped archipelago of 83 islands. It is located about 1,750 kilometers east of Australia. Fiji lies to the east, New Caledonia to the south, and the Solomon Islands to the northwest, all within the area of the South Pacific called Melanesia.

The two largest islands, Espiritu Santo (or Santo) and Malakula, account for nearly one-half of the total land area. They are volcanic, with sharp mountain peaks, plateaus, and lowlands. The larger islands of the remaining half also are volcanic but are overlaid with limestone formations; the smaller ones are coral and limestone. Volcanic activity is common with an ever-present danger of a major eruption, the last of which occurred in 1945. Rainfall averages about 2,360 millimeters (94 in.) per year but can be as high as 4,000 millimeters (160 in.) in the northern islands.

PEOPLE

The population of Vanuatu is 94% indigenous Melanesian. About 33,700 live in the capital, Port Vila. Another 10,700 live in Luganville (or Santo Town) on Espiritu Santo. The remainder live in rural areas. Approximately 2,000 ni-Vanuatu live and work in New Caledonia. Although local pidgin, called Bislama, is the national language, English and French also are official languages. Indigenous Melanesians speak 105 local languages.

Christianity has had a profound influence on ni-Vanuatu society, and an estimated 90% of the population is affiliated with one of the Christian denominations. The largest denominations are Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Anglican. John Frum, a syncretic sect, also is important on Tanna Island.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

A valid passport, and onward/return ticket and proof of sufficient funds are required. Visas are not required for stays up to 30 days. For further information on entry requirements, particularly those planning to enter by a sailing vessel, please contact the Vanuatu Mission to the United Nations at 42 Broadway, Suite 1200-18, New York, NY 10004, tel. (212) 425-9600, fax (212) 425-9652, e-mail: vmsnyc@attglobal.net. Travelers who plan to transit or visit Australia are advised to obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or visa for Australia before leaving the United States. The ETA is available to eligible U.S. citizens at the time of ticket purchase through travel agents and airlines. More information about the ETA and Australian entry requirements may be obtained from the Australian Embassy at 1601 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, tel. (202) 797-3000, or via the Australian Embassy home page on the Internet at http://www.austemb.org/.

QUICK FACTS

Geography
Area: Land--12,190 sq. km. (4,707 sq. mi.), 83 Islands. Comparative area--about the size of Connecticut.
Cities: Capital--Port Vila (on the island of Efate), pop. 33,700. Other towns--Luganville (on the island of Espiritu Santo, also known as Santo).
Terrain: Mostly mountains of volcanic origin, narrow coastal plains.
Climate: Tropical.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--ni-Vanuatu.
Population (2006): 221,506.
Annual growth rate (2005 est.): 2.2%.
Ethnic groups: 94% ni-Vanuatu; 4% European; 2% other Pacific Islanders, Asian.
Religion: Predominantly Christian.
Languages: Bislama (Pidgin), English, French, over 100 tribal languages.
Education: Enrollment in primary is 100% with rapid fall-off to 20% in secondary and upper secondary. Adult literacy rate (2005)--74% of those age 15 and older.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2005)--55.1/1,000. Life expectancy (2005)--62.5 yrs.
Work force (1999): 134,000. Agriculture--65%. Industry--5%. Service--30%.

Government
Type: Parliamentary democracy.
Independence: July 30, 1980.
Constitution: July 30, 1980.
Branches: Executive--president (head of state), prime minister (head of government). Legislative--unicameral (52-member parliament). Judicial--Supreme Court.
Administrative subdivisions: 6 administrative districts.
Political parties: Melanesian Progressive Party (MPP); Union of Moderate Parties (UMP); National United Party (NUP); Vanua’aku Party (VP); Vanuatu Republican Party (VRP); the Confederation of Greens (CG); John Frum group; People’s Progressive Party (PPP); National Community Association (NCA).
Suffrage: Universal over 18.
Independence Day: July 30.

Economy
GDP (2005): $343.6 million.
Per capita income (2005): $1,576.
Real growth rate (2005): 3.1%.
Avg. inflation rate (2005): 2.6%.
Natural resources: Forests, agricultural land, marine resources.
Agriculture: Products--copra, cocoa, coffee, cattle, timber.
Industry: Types--copra production, beef processing, sawmilling, tourism, financial services.
Trade (2003): Exports--$135.27 million: coconut oil, copra, kava, beef. Major markets--EU 44.9%, Australia 12.1%, Japan 6.8%, New Caledonia 4.6%. Imports--$181.4 million: machines and transport equipment, food and live animals, basic manufactures, mineral fuels. Major suppliers--Australia 42.5%, New Zealand 13.0%, Fiji 8.6%, Singapore 6.2%.
Exchange rate (2005 avg.): 109.25 vatu=U.S.$1.

USEFUL LINKS

U.S. Government