What countries border Vanuatu?
What is Vanuatu famous for?
What is the capital of Vanuatu?
Capital | Port-Vila (on Efate) |
Government Type | parliamentary republic |
Currency | Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) |
Total Area |
4,706 Square Miles 12,189 Square Kilometers |
Location | Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia |
Language | three official languages: English, French, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama), plus more than 100 local languages |
GDP - real growth rate | -2% |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | $2,600.00 (USD) |
What is the population of Vanuatu?
Ethnic Groups | indigenous Melanesian 98%, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, other Pacific Islanders |
Nationality Noun | Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural) |
Population | 298,333 |
Population Growth Rate | 2.06% |
Population in Major Urban Areas | PORT-VILA (capital) 47,000 |
Urban Population | 24.900000 |
What type of government does Vanuatu have?
Executive Branch |
chief of state: President Nikenike VUROBARAVU (since 23 July 2022) head of government: Prime Minister Charlot SALWAI (since 6 October 2023) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and presidents of the 6 provinces; Vanuatu president serves a 5-year term; election last held on 23 July 2022 (next to be held in 2027); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held on 20 April 2020 (next to be held following general elections in 2024) election results: 2022: Nikenike VUROBARAVU elected president in eighth round; electoral college vote - Nikenike VUROBARAVU (VP) 48 votes, Solas MOLISA (VP) 4 votes; note - Charlot SALWAI (RMC) elected prime minister on 6 October 2023, 29 votes for, 0 against; Prime Minister Sato KILMAN lost no-confidence vote on 6 October 2023, requiring a new election |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal |
Citizenship |
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Vanuatu; in the case of only one parent, it must be the father who is a citizen dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years |
National Holiday | Independence Day, 30 July (1980) |
Constitution |
history: draft completed August 1979, finalized by constitution conference 19 September 1979, ratified by French and British Governments 23 October 1979, effective 30 July 1980 at independence amendments: proposed by the prime minister or by the Parliament membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by Parliament in special session with at least three fourths of the membership; passage of amendments affecting the national and official languages, or the electoral and parliamentary system also requires approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2013 |
Independence | 30 July 1980 (from France and the UK) |
What environmental issues does Vanuatu have?
Climate | 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 |
Environment - Current Issues | a majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water; deforestation |
Environment - International Agreements |
party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Terrain | mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains |
How big is the Vanuatu economy?
Economic Overview |
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 main source 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 between constituent islands. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. 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. |
Industries | food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning |
Currency Name and Code | Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) |
Export Partners | India 32.9%, Thailand 22.8%, South Korea 10.1%, Indonesia 6.3%, Japan 5.1% |
Import Partners | Australia 21%, Japan 18.8%, New Zealand 9.4%, Singapore 8%, Fiji 6.5%, India 5.1% |
What current events are happening in Vanuatu?
Source: Google News
What makes Vanuatu a unique country to travel to?