Although the origins of the people of Vanuatu are lost in time, it is known that they brought with them an essentially Melanesian culture. European contact dates back to 1606 when Ferdinand de Quiros landed at Big Bay and named it Australia del Espiritu Santo. Captain Cook, mapped and explored the islands and named the group the New Hebrides in 1792. The country was run as a Condominium until 1980 with administration being shared between Britain and France. Consequently, there is a strong French influence evident in this beautiful country with most of the 160,000 inhabitants speaking both French and English as well as the national language, Bislama - a form of Pidgin English.
Major exports are copra, cocoa, timber, beef and coffee.
Tourism is important as is the country's status as a world financial sector offering pure tax haven benefits and an international shipping registry.