Vanuatu is a small island country located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is an archipelago consisting of approximately 80 islands, of which two-thirds are inhabited. The country has a total land area of 12,189 square kilometers and a population of around 300,000 people.

Vanuatu was formerly known as the New Hebrides and was jointly ruled by France and the United Kingdom until gaining independence in 1980. The official languages of Vanuatu are Bislama, English, and French. The currency is the Vanuatu vatu.

The economy of Vanuatu is primarily based on agriculture, fishing, and tourism. The main agricultural products are copra, cocoa, coffee, and kava, which is a traditional beverage made from the roots of a local plant. The country also has some mining operations for metals such as nickel and copper.

Vanuatu is known for its natural beauty, including coral reefs, white sand beaches, and lush tropical forests. The country is home to several active volcanoes, and visitors can enjoy hiking and exploring the natural wonders of the islands. The culture of Vanuatu is also rich, with traditional dances, music, and handicrafts that reflect the history and diversity of the island nation.

Vanuatu has a parliamentary democracy with a President as head of state and a Prime Minister as head of government. The country is divided into six provinces, and each province has its own government. The legal system is based on English common law and French civil law.

Vanuatu is vulnerable to natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. The country has a high level of biodiversity, with many unique and endangered species of plants and animals. The government of Vanuatu has made efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

Telephone Code
678

Local Emergency Phone
112

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

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

Currency (Code)
Vatu (VUV)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): I

Major Languages
Local languages (more than 100), Bislama (creole), English, French

Major Religions
Protestant 70%, Roman Catholic 12.4%, customary beliefs 3.7% (including Jon Frum cult)

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
SS President Coolidge Dive Site; Millennium Cave; Nanda Blue Hole; Mount Yasur Volcano; Chief Roi Mata's Domain

Major Sports
Soccer

Cultural Practices
Vanuatu's standards of dress and behavior are conservative. Take care not to offend.

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping is not encouraged. Instead tip with a smile and say “tank yu tumas”. Ask the taxi driver for a rate before hopping in.

Souvenirs
Wood carvings, shell and coconut handicrafts, liquor, sarongs

Traditional Cuisine
Laplap — various roots such as taro, yam, or breadfruit are pounded into a dough that is wrapped with leaves from the lap lap plant and cooked in an underground oven with spinach leaves, coconut cream, and pieces of chicken, pork, or corned beef

Geography
Area
total: 12,189 sq km
land: 12,189 sq km
water: 0 sq km

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

Natural resources
manganese, hardwood forests, fish

People and Society
Population
313,046 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Melanesian 99.2%, non-Melanesian 0.8% (2016 est.)

Languages
local languages (more than 100) 63.2%, Bislama (official; creole) 33.7%, English (official) 2%, French (official) 0.6%, other 0.5% (2009 est.)

Religions
Protestant 70% (includes Presbyterian 27.9%, Anglican 15.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.5%, Assemblies of God 4.7%, Church of Christ 4.5%, Neil Thomas Ministry 3.1%, and Apostolic 2.2%), Roman Catholic 12.4%, customary beliefs 3.7% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 12.6%, none 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2009 est.)

Population growth rate
1.59% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Port-Vila (on Efate)

Economy
Economic overview
Pacific island agriculture- and tourism-based economy; environmentally vulnerable to cyclones; poor property rights administration; corruption-prone; subsidizing loss-prone state enterprises in agriculture, banking, and airports

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$888.165 million (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$2,800 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
coconuts, roots/tubers nes, bananas, vegetables, pork, fruit, milk, beef, groundnuts, cocoa

Industries
food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning

Exports
$88.805 million (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Japan 33%, Thailand 13%, Mauritania 13%, South Korea 11%, China 9%, Fiji 7% (2019)

Exports - commodities
fish and fish products, tug boats, perfume plants, mollusks, cocoa beans (2019)

Imports
$495.858 million (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
China 29%, Australia 18%, New Zealand 11%, Fiji 11%, Taiwan 5%, Thailand 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, fishing ships, delivery trucks, poultry meats, broadcasting equipment (2019)