Efate is home to the capital, Port Vila. Port Vila is the international gateway for Vanuatu. Port Vila is said to be the most beautiful capital in the Pacific. It lies on a horseshoe-shape bay on the southwest coast of the island Efate. Port Vila is a charming potpourri of cultures, blending elements of Melanesian, English, French and Chinese taste.

Along the main street there are duty-free shops, restaurants, and handicraft galleries. Port Vila comes alive everyday except Sunday when the stall holders return to spend a day with their families. Wander through rows of tropical fruits, vegetables, flowers, shells, artifacts and souvenir stalls. Within walking distance from the town, The Melanesian Port Vila offers accommodation with impeccable service which makes your stay in Vanuatu memorable.

History

Government and Politics

The Earliest evidence of human occupation in Vanuatu comes from a site on the island of Malo, first settlement in about 1400 BC by people of the Lapita culture. In the course of a millenium voyages, they left thier distinctive pottery at a string of sites from northeast Papaua New Guinea all the way to Samoa.

The republic of Vanuatu achieved its independence from UK and France on 30 July 1980. Since then it has remained in the South Pacific Commission and joined 28 other international organization including the UN, the Commonwealth and the french League of Nations.

Vanuatu has a Westminster-style constitution. Vanuatu's single legislative chamber or parliament, sits in Vila. Its 50 members are elacted for four year term.

The Prime Minister and the council of ministers comprise the executive, or cabinet. All minister must be chamber of parliament

Geography and Geology

Climate

Vanuatu is a Y shape chain of islands, extending 1176 kilometers in a north-south direction between the equator and tropic of Capricorn. Efate Island is the gateway of Vanuatu where the capital Port Vila is located

Vanuatus climate varies from wet tropical in the North to Sub-Tropical in the South, with much drier rain-shadow areas in between. Southeasterly breeze produces fine sunny days and pleasantly cool nights between May and October. This is the dry season and the best time to visit

Vanuatus Population was estimated at around 350,000, of wich all but 5000 were Ni-Vanuatu. The "others" included about 2,000 Europeans, with the remainder being mainly Asians and other Pacific Islanders.

Two-Thirds of the population lives on Efate, Santo, Malekula and Tanna.

The establishment of Port Vila as a tax haven in 1970 fuelled a construction boom that saw its remarkable colonial dwelling replaced by concrete structures.

Tourism is the country's largest foreign exchange earner after agriculture. Over 60% of the country's tourist come from Australia, with another 17% comes from New Zealand.