Vanuatu

Republic of Vanuatu Ripablik blong Vanuatu   (Bislama) République de Vanuatu   (French)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Long God yumi stanap"  (Bislama) (In God we stand)
Anthem: "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi"  (Bislama) ("We, We, We")
Capital and largest city		Port Vila 17°45′S 168°18′E
Official languages		Bislama English French
Ethnic groups (1999)		Ni-Vanuatu 98.5% other 1.5%
Demonym		Ni-Vanuatu; Vanuatuan
Government		Unitary parliamentary republic
-	President	Baldwin Lonesdale
-	Prime Minister	Joe Natuman
Independence
-	from France and the United Kingdom	30 July 1980
Area
-	Total	12,190 km2 (161st) 4,710 sq mi
Population
-	estimate	224,564 (July 2011 est.)
-	2009 census	243,304
-	Density	19.7/km2 (188th) 51/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2010 estimate
-	Total	$1.216 billion
-	Per capita	$5,500 (2010 est.)
GDP (nominal)		2010 estimate
-	Total	$721 million
-	Per capita	$2,835
HDI (2004)		0.693 medium · 126th
Currency		Vanuatu vatu (VUV)
Time zone		VUT (Vanuatu Time) (UTC+11)
Drives on the		right
Calling code		678
Internet TLD		.vu

Map of Vanuatu.

Vanuatu is a country in the Pacific Ocean. The official languages of Vanuatu are Bislama, English and French. Vanuatu has a population of about 202,609 people (2004). The capital of Vanuatu is Port Vila. The country was ruled as a colony by England and France until it got its freedom in 1980. During the colonial time, it was named the "New Hebrides" or "Nouvelles Hebrides".

§Geography

Vanuatu is an island archipelago. It has about 82 small islands. The islands were made from Volcanos. 65 of the islands are lived on. There is about 800 miles (1,300 km) north to south distance between the outermost islands. Two of the islands (Matthew and Hunter) are also claimed by France. Fourteen of Vanuatu's islands have surface areas of more than 100 square kilometres (39 sq mi).

The highest point in Vanuatu is Mount Tabwemasana, at 1,879 metres (6,165 ft), on the island of Espiritu Santo.

§Flora and fauna

Even though it has tropical forests, Vanuatu has a small number of plant and animal species. There are no large mammals. The 19 species of native reptiles include the flowerpot snake, found only on Efate. The Fiji Banded Iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) was introduced as a feral animal in the 1960s. There are 11 species of bats and 61 species of land and water birds.

The region is rich in sea life. There are more than 4,000 species of marine molluscs. Coneshell and stonefish carry poison that will kill humans. The giant East African land snail arrived only in the 1970s but already has spread from the Port-Vila region to Luganville.

There are three or possibly four adult saltwater crocodiles living in Vanuatu's mangroves and no current breeding population. It is said the crocodiles reach the northern part of the islands after cyclones. This is because of the island chain's closeness to the Solomon Islands and New Guinea where crocodiles are very common.

§Cuisine

The national dish of Vanuatu is the lap lap.

§Locations

There are six provinces in Vanuatu. They are Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea and Torba.

Some of the cities are:

• Bunlap
• Forari
• Ipikil
• Ipota
• Isangel
• Lakatoro
• Lamap
• Loltong
• Longana
• Lorevilko
• Luganville
• Lénakel
• Port Olry
• Port Vila - Capital
• Rovo Bay
• Sola
• Sulphur Bay
• Whitesands

§Gallery

• 

  Cinder plain of Yasur volcano on Tanna island.

• 

  National Cultural Centre, Port Vila.

• 

  National Council of Chiefs, Port Vila.

• 

  Stream on Efate island.

• 

  Port Villa street band.

• 

  Aerial view of Port Vila.

• 

  Early fire-making technique in Vanuatu.

• 

  North Efate.