Vanuatu

**Vanuatu** is a country in the Pacific Ocean. The official languages of Vanuatu are Bislama, English and French. In 2020, 300,019 people lived in Vanuatu. The capital of Vanuatu is Port Vila. The country was ruled as a colony by England and France. It got its independence in 1980. During the colonial time, it was named the "New Hebrides" or "Nouvelles Hebrides".

## History

Evidence shows, that people lived in Vanuatu by 1300 BC. Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernández de Quirós first discovered the islands in 1606. British explorer, navigator James Cook discovered the islands in 1774. Cook mapped the islands and named them _New Hebrides_.

## Geography

Vanuatu is an island archipelago.  It has about 82 small islands.  The islands were made from volcanos. People live on 65 of the islands. There is about  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 are larger than .

The highest point in Vanuatu is Mount Tabwemasana, at , 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.

### Economics

Most people in Vanuatu work in farming, growing things like coconuts and kava. Tourism is also important, as visitors come to enjoy the islands' natural beauty. Another way Vanuatu earns money is by offering citizenship to foreigners who invest in the country.
People can get a Vanuatu passport by making a financial contribution, which helps support the country's economy. This program has become a significant source of income for Vanuatu.

## 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

## Famous People From Vanuatu

Adele Willie is a sports commentator.

## Infobox (country)

- **native name**: _ **Ripablik blong Vanuatu** _<small></small>
 _ **République de Vanuatu** _<small></small>
- **conventional long name**: Republic of Vanuatu
- **common name**: Vanuatu
- **image flag**: Flag of Vanuatu.svg
- **image coat**: Coat_of_Arms_of_Vanuatu.svg
- **symbol type**: Coat of arms
- **image map**: Vanuatu on the globe (Polynesia centered).svg
- **national motto**: "Long God yumi stanap"<small></small>
(In God we stand)
- **national anthem**: _"Yumi, Yumi, Yumi"_<small></small>
("We, We, We")
- **official languages**: Bislama language, Bislama
English language, English
French language, French
- **ethnic groups**: Ni-Vanuatu 98.5%
other 1.5%
- **ethnic groups year**: 1999
- **demonym**: Ni-Vanuatu; Vanuatuan
- **capital**: Port Vila
- **largest city**: Port Vila
- **government type**: Unitary state, Unitary Parliamentary republic, parliamentary republic
- **leader title1**: President of Vanuatu, President
- **leader name1**: Nikenike Vurobaravu
- **leader title2**: Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Prime Minister
- **leader name2**: Charlot Salwai
- **area rank**: 161st
- **area km2**: 12,190
- **population estimate**: 335,908
- **population estimate year**: 2023
- **population estimate rank**: 182nd
- **population census**: 300,019
- **population census year**: 2020
- **population density km2**: 19.7
- **population density sq mi**: 51
- **population density rank**: 188th
- **gdp ppp**: $1.216 billion
- **gdp ppp year**: 2010
- **gdp ppp per capita**: $5,500 (2010 est.)
- **gdp nominal**: $721 million
- **gdp nominal year**: 2010
- **gdp nominal per capita**: $2,835
- **sovereignty type**: Independence
- **established event1**: <small>from France and the United Kingdom</small>
- **established date1**: 30 July 1980
- **hdi**: 0.693
- **hdi change**: increase
- **hdi rank**: 126th
- **hdi year**: 2004
- **hdi category**: <span style="color:orange;">medium</span>
- **currency**: Vanuatu vatu
- **currency code**: VUV
- **time zone**: VUT (Vanuatu Time)
- **utc offset**: +11
- **drives on**: right
- **cctld**: .vu
- **calling code**: 678