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Vanuatu
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The Republic of Vanuatu is an island
nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The
archipelago is located some 1,750 km east of
Australia, 500 km north-east of New Caledonia,
west of Fiji and south of the Solomon Islands.
It was named New Hebrides during its colonial
period.
History
Main article: History of Vanuatu
Many of the islands of Vanuatu have been
inhabited for thousands of years, the oldest
evidence found dating to 2000 BC. In 1606, the
Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernández de Quirós
became the first European to reach the islands.
Europeans began settling the islands in the late
18th century, after British explorer James Cook
visited the islands on his second voyage.
In 1906, the French and British agreed to an
Anglo-French Condominium on the New Hebrides, as
the islands were then known. In the 1960s, the
ni-Vanuatu people started to press for
self-governance and later independence; full
sovereignty was finally granted by both European
nations on July 30, 1980.
During the 1990s, Vanuatu experienced political
instability, which eventually resulted in a more
decentralised government.
Vanuatu is considered by some to be one of the
few remaining truly unspoilt island paradises.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Vanuatu
Vanuatu is not just one island. It is actually
an 83-island archipelago, of which two — Matthew
and Hunter — are also claimed by the French
overseas department of New Caledonia. Of all the
83 islands, 14 have surface areas of more than
100 square kilometer, namely Espiritu Santo
(3956 km²), Malakula (2041 km²), Éfaté (900
km²), Erromango (888 km²), Ambrym (678 km²),
Tanna (555 km²), Pentecôte (491 km²), Épi (445
km²), Ambae or Aoba (402 km²), Vanua Lava (334
km²), Santa Maria (328 km²), Maéwo (304 km²),
Malo (180 km²) and Anatom or Aneityum (159 km²).
Most of the islands are mountainous and of
volcanic origin, and have a tropical or
sub-tropical climate. The nation's largest towns
are the capital Port Vila, which is situated on
Éfaté, and Luganville, on Espiritu Santo. The
highest point in Vanuatu is Mount Tabwemasana,
at 1879 m (6158 ft), also on the island of
Espiritu Santo.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Vanuatu
The economy is based primarily on subsistence or
small-scale agriculture, which provides a living
for 65% of the population. Fishing, offshore
financial services, and tourism (with about
50,000 visitors in 1997), are other mainstays of
the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible;
the country has no known petroleum deposits. A
small light industry sector caters to the local
market. Tax revenues come mainly from import
duties and a 12.5 percent Value Added Tax (VAT)
on goods and services.
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. A severe earthquake in
November 1999, followed by a tsunami, caused
extensive damage to the northern island of
Pentecote, leaving thousands homeless. Another
powerful earthquake in January 2002 caused
extensive damage in the capital, Port-Vila, and
surrounding areas, and also was followed by a
tsunami.
GDP growth rose less than 3% on average in the
1990s. In response to foreign concerns, the
government has promised to tighten regulation of
its offshore financial center. In mid-2002, the
government stepped up efforts to boost tourism.
Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers
of Vanuatu's foreign aid.
Vanuatu is a tax haven that does not release
account information to other governments and law
enforcement agencies. In Vanuatu, there is no
income tax, no withholding tax, no capital gains
tax, no inheritance taxes, and no exchange
controls. Companies, like Kazaa and WinMX,
choose to incorporate in Vanuatu to avoid
regulation and legal challenges.
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Background:
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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. |
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Location:
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Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific
Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii
to Australia |
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Geographic coordinates:
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16 00
S, 167 00 E
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: 12,200 sq km
land: 12,200 sq km
note: includes more than 80 islands
water: 0 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly larger than Connecticut |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km
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Coastline:
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2,528
km |
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Maritime claims:
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measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of
the continental margin
contiguous zone: 24 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds |
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Terrain:
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mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal
plains |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m |
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Natural resources:
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manganese, hardwood forests, fish |
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Nationality:
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noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)
adjective: Ni-Vanuatu |
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Ethnic groups:
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indigenous Melanesian 98%, French, Vietnamese,
Chinese, other Pacific Islanders |
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Religions:
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Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Roman Catholic
15%, indigenous beliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist
6.2%, Church of Christ 3.8%, other 15.7% (including
Jon Frum Cargo cult)
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Languages:
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three
official languages: English, French, pidgin (known
as Bislama or Bichelama), plus more than 100 local
languages |
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Currency:
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vatu
(VUV) |
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Currency code:
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VUV
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Exchange rates:
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vatu
per US dollar - 146.02 (December 2001), 145.31
(2001), 137.64 (2000), 129.08 (1999), 127.52 (1998),
115.87 (1997) |
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Internet country code:
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.vu
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