GENERAL BACKGROUND “AT A GLANCE”
Fiji 15 years ago!
Halo/Bonjour/Hello and Kia Ora
Vanuatu, (formerly the New Hebrides – a French protectorate), is comprised of a series of 80 islands in the tropical Pacific ocean approximately 2000 km from New Zealand and Australia. The three main Islands that make up the Vanuatu Island group are Espiritu Santo, Efate and Tanna. The total population of Vanuatu is approximately 200,000 people, the majority of Melanesian decent with a small number of other nationalities including Chinese, Australians, New Zealanders and Europeans.
Efate, though not the largest island, is home to Port Vila the capital of Vanuatu and is a thriving economic and business centre. Efate’s population is approximately 50,000 people with the majority of those living in or around the capital. There is a large established “ex-patriot” community living on Efate ensuring that many facilities are flourishing and well patronised.
Port Vila is a beautiful port town with good banking and telecommunications infrastructure (including a GSM mobile network). Tourism is well developed here and the French influence on the Island ensures the Port retains its crown as one of the gourmet hotspots of the South Pacific. The Port is surrounded by a number of blue lagoons providing safe swimming and leisure pursuits for families. The main local currency is the Vatu, although AUD, USD and NZD are regularly accepted by many establishments.
The ni-Vanuatu people are friendly in nature and retain much of their cultural traditions. The islands are blessed with un-spoilt beaches and reefs and the weather, as you would expect, is warm year round (ranging in temperatures from 22 to 38 celsius). The islands have a consistent climate with a wet season typically between December and February.
Diving is a key attraction boasting some of the world’s premier technical dives – such as the largest wreck dive on the planet – the WWII converted luxury liner 'The President Coolidge' and the famous “Million Dollar Point”. Game fishing is also world renowned in Vanuatu as are sailing and other water based activities.
Vanuatu is small, and un-spoilt with growing tourism and general infrastructure – it really is just like a small Fiji 20 years ago - before mass tourism and soaring land prices!
We know you will fall in love with the intimate charm, climate and blue lagoons that is Vanuatu…
Lukim yu
