News: Vanuatu has been in the news recently due to its popular Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, which allows wealthy individuals to obtain its passport.
About Vanuatu
- Location: Vanuatu is a Pacific island country situated about 800 km west of Fiji and 1,770 km east of Australia.
- The country consists of 13 main islands and many smaller ones, extending in a Y-shape for 650 km.
- Notable islands include Espiritu Santo, Éfaté, Tanna, and Malakula.
- Geological Features
- The islands are volcanic in origin, with active volcanoes like Yasur (Tanna), Manaro (Ambae), and Benbow & Marum (Ambrym).
- Frequent earthquakes indicate geological instability.
- The highest point is Mount Tabwémasana (1,879 m) on Espiritu Santo.
- Climate & Environment
- Tropical climate with a hot, wet season (Nov-Apr) and a cooler, drier season (May-Oct).
- Annual rainfall varies from 2,000 mm in the south to 4,000 mm in the north.
- Rich biodiversity, with dense rainforests, coral reefs, and endemic species like Vanuatu flying foxes.
- People & Culture
- The indigenous people, ni-Vanuatu, are predominantly Melanesian.
- Over 100 local languages exist, but Bislama (a pidgin language), English, and French are official languages.
- Traditional customs (kastom) remain significant, with men often gathering in nakamals (men’s houses) to drink kava.
- History & Independence
- It was originally inhabited by Lapita culture settlers around 1300 BCE.
- European contact began in 1606 with Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernández de Quirós.
- It became the Anglo-French condominium of New Hebrides in 1906.
- It achieved independence as the Republic of Vanuatu on July 30, 1980.
- Economy
- The inhabitants mainly dependent on agriculture (coconut, kava, cocoa, beef) and tourism.
- Offshore financial services also contribute to the economy.
- Fishing and forestry provide additional revenue.
