ABOUT VANUATU:

Vanuatu, formerly called the New Hebrides, is a Y-shaped chain of islands that stretches north to southeast for some 900km. The islands are located about 2250km northeast of Sydney, Australia, and 800km west of Fiji.

Together with the Banks and Torres islands, the chains make up about 40 mountainous islands and 40 islets and rocks. The islands are volcanic in origin and there are five active volcanoes. The Ambrym and Lopevi volcanoes are permanently active and highly dangerous. Lopevi was extinct for many years but became active 50 years ago and is the zone of continual and violent eruptions.

Further to the south, on the island of Tanna, is Yasur, the most accessible active volcano in the world and a major tourist attraction. The highest peak, Tabwemasan, is on Espíritu Santo. These volcanic islands are hinged by massive rock formations on the sides of which huge valleys open up. Most islands are forested, and some have fertile soils.

Vanua (Land) Tu (Eternal) is the only Pacific Island area that had two colonial rulers at the same time.

During the 19th century the islands making up Vanuatu (then called the New Hebrides) were settled by British and French planters and traders. In 1906 the islands became a condominium, a jointly (British-French) administered territory, where each power was to retain jurisdiction over its own citizens. During World War II the United States established a large naval and air base on Espíritu Santo. Many ni-Vanuatu were introduced to Western materialism and technology by watching the unloading of planes, vehicles, appliances, ships, food and other goods at the air base.

The road towards independence was a hard won battle. In June 1980, just before the islands were to receive independence, a short-lived revolt occurred on the islands of Tanna and Espíritu Santo. This was stamped out by the British though and in July 30, 1980, the New Hebrides became Vanuatu.

Bislama (Pidgin English), English and French are the official languages of Vanuatu. The most widely used day-to-day language is a Melanesian mixture of French and English. French and English are widely spoken and both English and French names exist for all towns. There are more than 100 local dialects.

A curious traditional ceremony that has spawned a modern craze in the West is land diving (otherwise known as bungee jumping). Men jump head first from a high platform or tree with vines tied to their feet. The vines stop their fall just before they hit the ground. Pigs also have an important cultural value and pigs' tusks are a much sought after commodity by the ni-Vanuatu.

In Vanuatu there are 180,000 people living on 16 main islands. The indigenous people of the country are known as Ni-Vanuatu. Although 98% of the population is Melanesian, there are also Europeans, Polynesians, Vietnamese and Chinese living there.

Vanuatu may have been habited by people as early as 500 BC. Lapita pottery found on the islands date back to 1300 BC. Up to and beyond the 13th century AD it was at the heart of the empire of Tonga.