Vanuatu, formerly known as The New Hebrides, gained independence in 1980 when it became a self-governing Republic and member of the Commonwealth. The ni-Vanuatu people are a Melanesian race and dominate the rich population of French, Australian, British, New Zealand, Chinese and other Pacific Islander residents. The Republic of Vanuatu has just celebrated 25 years as a stable, independent, democratic republic.
Vanuatu consists of 83 islands. The Capital, Port Vila, is located on Efate and is a two to three hour flight from the Australian east coast. It is an important business and commercial centre for Vanuatu and the South Pacific, has a favourable tax climate, and offers an exhilarating blend of cultures and services including banks, restaurants, museums, art galleries and local markets. In less than an hour from Port Vila, you can bathe in waterfalls, go diving in coral reefs, ride a horse or catch a fish and still be back in time to enjoy a great meal in a fine dining restaurant. There are many visible traces of the enduring relationship with France in Vanuatu, the obvious being the language, but this accent also trickles into the village life with cafés, restaurants, and hotels possessing a recognizably French influence that blends extremely well with the local, Pacific charms.
Vanuatu is well known for its tropical climate, pristine oceans and coral reefs. With a diverse landscape and gracious, welcoming local people, it has been favoured as a tourist destination for generations.
History
Many of the islands of Vanuatu have been inhabited for thousands of years, the oldest evidence found dating to 2000 BC. Europeans began settling the islands in the late 18th century, after British explorer James Cook visited on his second voyage. In 1906, the French and British Governments agreed to an Anglo-French Condominium on the islands of New Hebrides, as they were then known. In 1900, the ni-Vanuatu people gained self-governance. Full sovereignty was finally granted by both European nations on July 30, 1980.
Demographics
In April 2007, Vanuatu had a population of about 220,000. Most of the inhabitants of Vanuatu are native Melanesian, or Ni-Vanuatu, with the remainder made up of mix of Australians, New Zealanders, Europeans, Asians and other Pacific islanders. There are three official languages: English, French and Bislama (a creole language which evolved from English). In addition, over one hundred local languages are spoken on the islands. The density of languages per capita is the highest of any nation in the world (average of only 2000 speakers per language); with only Papua New Guinea coming close. Christianity is the predominant religion in Vanuatu.
In 2006 the New Economics Foundation and Friends of the Earth environmentalist group rated Vanuatu as the happiest place to live out of 178 nations all over the world using the Happy Planet Index.
Telecommunications and Information Technology
Telecommunications are of a good standard with a modern telephone system to most parts of the country. There is also a cellular phone network and an broadband internet service.
Telecommunications are operated by Telecom Vanuatu, a private company owned in equal shares by the Government of Vanuatu, the France Telecom Group and Cable & Wireless.
Culture of Vanuatu
Vanuatu culture retains a strong diversity derived through local regional variations and through foreign influence. Vanuatu may be divided into three major cultural regions:
In the north wealth is established by how much one can give away (especially pigs, which are considered a symbol of wealth throughout Vanuatu).
In the center, more traditional Polynesian cultural systems dominate.
In the south, a system involving grants of title with associated privileges has developed.
Young men undergo a variety of ceremonies, such as coming-of-age rituals, to initiate them into manhood. Visitors to these ceremonies are encouraged to display modesty and politeness and to dress in a respectful manner.
Climate
Vanuatu luxuriates in a tropical maritime climate moderated by southeast trade winds with characteristic uniform temperature, high humidity and variable rainfall. The climate of Vanuatu can be defined by two main seasons, the cold (dry) season from May to October and hot (wet) season from November to April.
Being an equatorial country, Vanuatu has relatively uniform temperature throughout the year. The warmest month is February and the coolest is August. In the coastal areas, daily temperatures average 26 °C in summer. Extreme day-time maximum in the summer can reach 33 °C in some areas. In the winter, you can experience an average daily temperature of 24 °C with average maximum of 26 °C and average minimum of 19 °C. Extreme night-time minimum temperature in some coastal areas may reach 13°C.
Economy
Agriculture and associated exports, together with the tourism industry as well as the financial centre are the leading forces in the country's economy. The tourism industry is growing very rapidly due the high number of tourists coming into the country via airlines and cruise ships. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties and a 12.5 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods and services. New Foreign Direct Investments is beginning to have an observable impact on the economy. A more competitive market and higher foreign investment is expected to lift growth in later years.
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 corporate tax, no Capital Gains Tax, no inheritance taxes, and no exchange controls.
GDP (purchasing power parity): $580 million (2003 est.) GDP — real growth rate: 1.1% (2003 est.) GDP — per capita: purchasing power parity: $2,900 (2003 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.1% (2003 est.) Budget: revenues: $52.6 million expenditures: $54.3 million including capital expenditures of $700,000 (2003 est.) Currency:vatu (VUV)
Health and Safety
Vanuatu as a Christian country with high beliefs is one of the safest and most peaceful in the South Pacific. The population is renowned to be the friendliest in the region with little or no resentment towards expatriates based in the country. The streets in town are safe to walk at night and the island communities welcome guests with open arms. The friendly nature of Ni-Vanuatu is one of the countries’ greatest assets.
In Port Vila, the Central hospital is manned by qualified doctors, surgeons and specialists. The city also has qualified dentists and general medical practitioners. A 24-hour Paramedic Ambulance service provided by ProMedical Vanuatu is available in the Port Vila area. This service is covered by basic medical & travel insurance. ProMedical provides the same high standard of pre-hospital care available overseas and meets Australian standards for ambulance safety and patient care. ProMedical works closely with the public health system, private practitioners and emergency services to ensure the best possible care.
Food
Vanuatu is becoming known as the gourmet capital of the South Pacific. The potpourri of expatriate cultures is reflected in food styles served in over fifty restaurants and cafes - French, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Melanesian and Mediterranean. You can buy an Aussie meat pie or American chili dog, sip cappuccino in one of the many outdoor cafes or purchase pates and salads from a patisserie in a supermarket to fill your picnic hamper.
Vanuatu consists of 83 islands. The Capital, Port Vila, is located on Efate and is a two to three hour flight from the Australian east coast. It is an important business and commercial centre for Vanuatu and the South Pacific, has a favourable tax climate, and offers an exhilarating blend of cultures and services including banks, restaurants, museums, art galleries and local markets. In less than an hour from Port Vila, you can bathe in waterfalls, go diving in coral reefs, ride a horse or catch a fish and still be back in time to enjoy a great meal in a fine dining restaurant. There are many visible traces of the enduring relationship with France in Vanuatu, the obvious being the language, but this accent also trickles into the village life with cafés, restaurants, and hotels possessing a recognizably French influence that blends extremely well with the local, Pacific charms.
Vanuatu is well known for its tropical climate, pristine oceans and coral reefs. With a diverse landscape and gracious, welcoming local people, it has been favoured as a tourist destination for generations.
History
Many of the islands of Vanuatu have been inhabited for thousands of years, the oldest evidence found dating to 2000 BC. Europeans began settling the islands in the late 18th century, after British explorer James Cook visited on his second voyage. In 1906, the French and British Governments agreed to an Anglo-French Condominium on the islands of New Hebrides, as they were then known. In 1900, the ni-Vanuatu people gained self-governance. Full sovereignty was finally granted by both European nations on July 30, 1980.
Demographics
In April 2007, Vanuatu had a population of about 220,000. Most of the inhabitants of Vanuatu are native Melanesian, or Ni-Vanuatu, with the remainder made up of mix of Australians, New Zealanders, Europeans, Asians and other Pacific islanders. There are three official languages: English, French and Bislama (a creole language which evolved from English). In addition, over one hundred local languages are spoken on the islands. The density of languages per capita is the highest of any nation in the world (average of only 2000 speakers per language); with only Papua New Guinea coming close. Christianity is the predominant religion in Vanuatu.
In 2006 the New Economics Foundation and Friends of the Earth environmentalist group rated Vanuatu as the happiest place to live out of 178 nations all over the world using the Happy Planet Index.
Telecommunications and Information Technology
Telecommunications are of a good standard with a modern telephone system to most parts of the country. There is also a cellular phone network and an broadband internet service.
Telecommunications are operated by Telecom Vanuatu, a private company owned in equal shares by the Government of Vanuatu, the France Telecom Group and Cable & Wireless.
Culture of Vanuatu
Vanuatu culture retains a strong diversity derived through local regional variations and through foreign influence. Vanuatu may be divided into three major cultural regions:
In the north wealth is established by how much one can give away (especially pigs, which are considered a symbol of wealth throughout Vanuatu).
In the center, more traditional Polynesian cultural systems dominate.
In the south, a system involving grants of title with associated privileges has developed.
Young men undergo a variety of ceremonies, such as coming-of-age rituals, to initiate them into manhood. Visitors to these ceremonies are encouraged to display modesty and politeness and to dress in a respectful manner.
Climate
Vanuatu luxuriates in a tropical maritime climate moderated by southeast trade winds with characteristic uniform temperature, high humidity and variable rainfall. The climate of Vanuatu can be defined by two main seasons, the cold (dry) season from May to October and hot (wet) season from November to April.
Being an equatorial country, Vanuatu has relatively uniform temperature throughout the year. The warmest month is February and the coolest is August. In the coastal areas, daily temperatures average 26 °C in summer. Extreme day-time maximum in the summer can reach 33 °C in some areas. In the winter, you can experience an average daily temperature of 24 °C with average maximum of 26 °C and average minimum of 19 °C. Extreme night-time minimum temperature in some coastal areas may reach 13°C.
Economy
Agriculture and associated exports, together with the tourism industry as well as the financial centre are the leading forces in the country's economy. The tourism industry is growing very rapidly due the high number of tourists coming into the country via airlines and cruise ships. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties and a 12.5 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods and services. New Foreign Direct Investments is beginning to have an observable impact on the economy. A more competitive market and higher foreign investment is expected to lift growth in later years.
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 corporate tax, no Capital Gains Tax, no inheritance taxes, and no exchange controls.
GDP (purchasing power parity): $580 million (2003 est.) GDP — real growth rate: 1.1% (2003 est.) GDP — per capita: purchasing power parity: $2,900 (2003 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.1% (2003 est.) Budget: revenues: $52.6 million expenditures: $54.3 million including capital expenditures of $700,000 (2003 est.) Currency:vatu (VUV)
Health and Safety
Vanuatu as a Christian country with high beliefs is one of the safest and most peaceful in the South Pacific. The population is renowned to be the friendliest in the region with little or no resentment towards expatriates based in the country. The streets in town are safe to walk at night and the island communities welcome guests with open arms. The friendly nature of Ni-Vanuatu is one of the countries’ greatest assets.
In Port Vila, the Central hospital is manned by qualified doctors, surgeons and specialists. The city also has qualified dentists and general medical practitioners. A 24-hour Paramedic Ambulance service provided by ProMedical Vanuatu is available in the Port Vila area. This service is covered by basic medical & travel insurance. ProMedical provides the same high standard of pre-hospital care available overseas and meets Australian standards for ambulance safety and patient care. ProMedical works closely with the public health system, private practitioners and emergency services to ensure the best possible care.
Food
Vanuatu is becoming known as the gourmet capital of the South Pacific. The potpourri of expatriate cultures is reflected in food styles served in over fifty restaurants and cafes - French, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Melanesian and Mediterranean. You can buy an Aussie meat pie or American chili dog, sip cappuccino in one of the many outdoor cafes or purchase pates and salads from a patisserie in a supermarket to fill your picnic hamper.
