The World Factbook (1982)/Vanuatu

by the Central Intelligence Agency

VANUATU
(formerly New Hebrides)

(See reference map X)

LAND

About 14,763 km²

WATER

Limits of territorial waters: 12 nm (fishing 200 nm; exclusive economic zone 200 nm)

Coastline: about 2,528 km

PEOPLE

Population: 123,000 (July 1982), average annual growth rate 2.7%

Nationality: noun—Vanuatuan(s); adjective—Vanuatuan

Ethnic divisions: 90% indigenous Melanesian, 8% French, remainder Vietnamese, Chinese, and various Pacific Islanders

Religion: most at least nominally Christian

Literacy: probably 10%-20%

GOVERNMENT

Official name: Republic of Vanuatu

Type: republic, formerly Anglo-French condominium of New Hebrides, independent 30 July 1980

Capital: Port-Vila

Political subdivisions: 4 administrative districts

Legal system: unified system being created from former dual French and British systems

Branches: Parliament of 39 members, elected November 1979

Government leader: Prime Minister Father Walter LINI

Political parties and leaders: National Party (Vanuaaku Pati), chairman Walter Lini

Member of: South Pacific Forum, UN

ECONOMY

Agriculture: export crops of copra, cocoa, coffee, some livestock and fish production; subsistence crops of copra, taro, yams

Electric power: 10,000 kW capacity (1981); 17 million kWh produced (1981), 162 kWh per capita

Exports: $32.2 million (1977); 24% copra, 59% frozen fish, meat

Imports: $40.1 million (1977); 18% food

Aid: Australia (1980-83), $14.4 million

Monetary conversion rate: 1 pound=US$5.12 (official currency, 1979), Australian $0.89=US$1, 75 Colonial Franc Pacifique (CFP)=US$1 (1978/79)

COMMUNICATIONS

Railroads: none

Highways: at least 240 km sealed or all-weather roads

Inland waterways: none

Ports: 2 minor

Civil air: no major transport aircraft

Airfields: 31 total, 29 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways, 2 runways 1,220-2,439 m

Telecommunications: 2 AM broadcast stations; 2,400 telephones (2.4 per 100 popl.); 1 ground satellite station under construction

DEFENSE FORCES

Personnel: no military forces maintained; however, the French and British maintain constabularies of about 100 men each