Vanuatu is a Y-shaped chain of 83 volcanic islands in the South Pacific, north-east of Australia, with the active Mount Yasur volcano — among the world's most accessible — and a strong indigenous custom culture.
Geography & landscape
Vanuatu sits in Melanesia, in the southern hemisphere of Oceania. With an area of approximately 12,189 km², it is a smaller nation, set in the southern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Port Vila, lies near coordinates -16°, 167°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Oceania, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Melanesia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Vanuatu.
People & society
The population of Vanuatu is around 330K. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Vanuatu recognises multiple official languages — Bislama, English and French — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Vanuatu is structured as a parliamentary republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Port Vila, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Vanuatu is the Vanuatu Vatu (VUV). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Port Vila and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Vanuatu shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Vanuatu through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Port Vila, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +678, and clocks are set to the VUT (UTC+11) time zone. ISO standards identify Vanuatu as VU (alpha-2) and VUT (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇻🇺, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Port Vila | — |
| Continent | Oceania | — |
| Sub-region | Melanesia | — |
| Population | 330K | people |
| Area | 12,189 | km² |
| Currency | Vanuatu Vatu (VUV) | — |
| Calling code | +678 | international dialling |
| Time zone | VUT (UTC+11) | standard time |
| Government type | Parliamentary republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | VU | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | VUT | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | -16 | degrees |
| Longitude | 167 | degrees |
Did you know?
Mount Yasur on Vanuatu's Tanna Island is one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes — visitors can watch eruptions from the rim.
