Vanuatu is a small nation in the South Pacific consisting of over 80 islands. It was first visited by Europeans in the 17th century and gained independence in 1980. The capital, Port Vila, is located on Efate Island. Vanuatu is known for its beaches, coral reefs, and Yasur Volcano. It has an international airport and occasional cruise ships.
Vanuatu is a small nation in the South Pacific. It covers approximately 4,700 square miles (12,200 square km), making it somewhat larger than the state of Connecticut. It is located just a little east of Australia and just south of the Solomon Islands. The country consists of more than 80 islands, most of which are inhabited.
Vanuatu was probably originally populated around 2000 BC by Austronesian peoples. A tribal culture developed on the islands, eventually uniting into kingdoms. Unfortunately, not much is known about Vanuatu’s early history before the Europeans appeared, as there are no written histories and the oral record is quite sparse.
The islands were first visited by Europeans when the Portuguese arrived in the early 17th century, although they were not settled until the late 18th century, when the British established permanent bases following Captain Cook’s voyages to the islands. For the next century the islands were under European control. For a short time in the late 19th century, however, Efate Island, where the capital now stands, was an independent nation. This nation is notable in that although it allowed only whites to hold office, it allowed all races and both men and women to vote, making it the first nation on Earth to adopt universal suffrage.
The French and British shared the islands as an Anglo-French condominium of the New Hebrides and the region served as a military base during World War II. In the early 1960s the people of Vanuatu began moving towards independence, which they finally achieved in 1980.
Although Vanuatu is made up of more than 80 islands, there are a few that serve as a base for most of the population. The two largest islands are Espiritu Santo, at about 1,500 square miles (3,900 sq km), and Malakulu, at about 800 square miles (2,100 sq km). The third largest island, Efate, is only about 350 square miles (900 square km), but is home to the capital Port Vila, the largest city on the islands with around 40,000 people.
Vanuatu is a great place to visit all year round, although it is quite humid in the summer. Vanuatu’s beaches are spectacular, and the clear waters make for incredible diving and snorkeling. There are amazing coral reefs around the islands, as well as numerous shipwrecks dating back to the distant past and WWII. Siri Falls is one of the nation’s biggest attractions, dropping 360 feet (120m) through the lush greenery. Yasur Volcano is also a sight worth seeing, particularly for those not up to the long treks often associated with volcanoes. The easy slope makes it simple to drive close enough to the rim of this volcano, although it is active, so care must be taken to ensure it is safe at that time. Molten rocks and sulfurous gases make Yasur an unforgettable experience that captures the mythic quality of this island nation.
There is an international airport just north of Port Vila, which receives regular flights from major Pacific hubs and from Australia. Cruise ships show up occasionally and it’s still possible to get a lift on a cargo ship to the islands, although it has gotten a bit more difficult in recent years.
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