 Country name conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu
conventional short form: Vanuatu
former: New Hebrides Background 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.Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia Area total: 12,200 sq km
land: 12,200 sq km
note: includes more than 80 islands
water: 0 sq km Area - comparative slightly larger than Connecticut Coastline 2,528 km Climate tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds Terrain mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m Natural hazards tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis Environment - current issues a majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water; deforestation Geography - note a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes Population 199,414 (July 2003 est.) Age structure 0-14 years: 34.8% (male 35,499; female 33,992)
15-64 years: 61.8% (male 63,021; female 60,149)
65 years and over: 3.4% (male 3,605; female 3,148) (2003 est.) Median age total: 21.9 years
male: 22 years
female: 21.8 years (2002) Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.15 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Nationality noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)
adjective: Ni-Vanuatu Ethnic groups indigenous Melanesian 98%, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, other Pacific Islanders Religions 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) Languages three official languages: English, French, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama), plus more than 100 local languages Internet country code .vu Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 53%
male: 57%
female: 48% (1979 est.) Government type parliamentary republic National holiday Independence Day, 30 July (1980) Legal system unified system being created from former dual French and British systems International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, NAM, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Economy - overview 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. 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 and left 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 foreign aid. Exports - partners India 32.5%, Thailand 22.8%, South Korea 10.5%, Indonesia 6.3%, Japan 4.9% (2002) Currency vatu (VUV) Currency code VUV Exchange rates vatu per US dollar - 139.2 (2002), 145.31 (2001), 137.64 (2000), 129.08 (1999), 127.52 (1998) Airports 30 (2002) Airports - with paved runways total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1524 to 2437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways total: 27
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 17 (2002) Disputes - international Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France |
