What are the specialities of Vanuatu?

               Located in the region of Oceania, an island country Vanuatu covers 12,189 square kilometres of land. It consists of a chain of 13 principal, and many smaller islands. The islands were initially home to the Melanesians for over 2,500 years. Then, in the 15th century, European explorers and missionaries began arriving, and the islands changed forever.

               Vanuatu became an independent state in 1980, after gaining its sovereignty from the United Kingdom. The name Vanuatu means ‘Our Land Forever’ in one of the locally used Melanesian languages. Port-Vila, on Efate, is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre.

               Most of the islands are inhabited; some have active volcanoes. Vanuatu is mountainous and much of it is covered with tropical rainforests. Like most of the area, it is prone to earthquakes and tidal waves.

               In 2015, it was hit by a cyclone which caused widespread damage. The official languages are Bislama, French, and English.