Facts on Vanuatu
Full Name | The Republic of Vanuatu |
United Nation | Member since 1981 |
Legal System | English Common Law |
Religions | Main religion is Christianity |
Capital City | Port Vila (on the island of Efate) |
Geography | Comprises a group of 80 islands Total land area is approximately 14,700 sq. km In south-west pacific region East of Sydney, Australia; West of Fiji Vanuatu is only 2.5 hours flying time North East of Brisbane and 3.5 hours from Sydney, Australia, a little over 2 hours from Auckland, New Zealand. There are regular flights from New Zealand, Honiara, Australia, Noumea and Fiji. |
Population | About 300,000 95% of the population are indigenous “Ni-Vanuatu” Remainders are Europeans, other Pacific Islanders and Asians |
Time Zone | GMT/UTC +11, 3 hours ahead of Hong Kong |
Currency | Vatu (VT). Foreign cash, travelers cheques and credit cards are widely accepted in Port Vila. |
Languages | English, French and Bislama as official languages |
Political | Once a colony of Britain and France Independent country since 1980 Parliamentary democracy Chinese Embassy in Port Vila, Vanuatu Vanuatu Trade Commission in Hong Kong S.A.R. Tel: (852) 2511 1898 Website: www. vanuatu-hktc.org |
National Flag | |
Vanuatu Flag Meaning: | The black represents the Melanesian people that make up the majority of Vanuatu’s population. Red represents the country’s unity through blood. Green represents the land and its agriculture and yellow stands for the Christianity of the people, the light it shines on them, and peace. The boar’s tusk is a traditional Vanuatu symbol of prosperity and is worn as a pendant by islanders. The leaves stand for peace. If looking at Vanuatu on a map, the islands that make up the nation form a Y-shape; this is represented by the Y on the flag. |
Vanuatu Flag History: | The Vanuatu flag was adopted on February 13, 1980. Vanuatu gained independence from France and Britain on July 30, 1980. After the Vanuaaku Party led the country to independence the party’s colors were adopted as the basis for the national flag |
Vanuatu Logo –The Coat of arms | The Coat of arms of Vanuatu features a Melanesian warrior superimposed on a boar’s tusk, over a scroll that reads Long God yumi stanap (In God we stand, in Bislama). |
Geographical location | |
Recent Economic Development | Vanuatu has placed emphasis on its offshore financial products aiming to become an International Offshore Financial Centre in the South Pacific region. Especially with its targets to develop Asian market, Vanuatu has established its Trade Commission in Hong Kong in 2011, and also assigned Vanuatu International Companies Limited to be its sole agent in the Greater China Region for the promotion and marketing of Vanuatu Offshore Financial Services.While, Pacific Resources Group has been authorized to be Vanuatu’s sole agent for the promotion of Permanent Residence Program in the Greater China Region. |