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General Information Area: 12,190 sq km (4707 sq miles). Population: 193,219 (1999). Population Density: 15.9 per sq km. Capital: Port-Vila (Island of Efaté). Population: 33,700 (1997). GEOGRAPHY: Vanuatu, formerly called the New Hebrides, forms an incomplete double chain of islands stretching north to southeast for some 900km (560 miles). They are situated approximately 2250km (1407 miles) northeast of Sydney, Australia, and 800km (500 miles) west of Fiji. Together with the Banks and Torres islands, the chains comprise 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. Further to the south, on the island of Tanna, is Yasur, cited as the most accessible active volcano in the world and a major tourist attraction. Geophysical activity is under constant monitoring by the French scientific organisation, ORSTOM. Most of the islands are densely forested and mountainous with narrow bands of cultivated land along the coasts. Government: Republic. Gained independence from the UK/France in 1980. Head of State: President John Bani since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Edward Natapei since 2001. Language: Bislama (Pidgin English), English and French are the official languages. Bislama, 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 115 local dialects. Religion: Mostly Christian, including Presbyterian, Anglican, Roman Catholic and several other denominations. Time: GMT + 11. Electricity: 240 volts AC. Australian three-pin plugs are in use. Communications:   Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 678. There are no area codes. Outgoing international calls must go through the international operator. There are public telephones at airports and post offices. Phone cards can be purchased in local currency from the post office (e-mail: vanuatupost@vanuatu.com.vu). For emergency services dial 22333 for fire services; 22222 for police; 22100 for an ambulance. Mobile telephone GSM 900. Operators include Smile (website: www.smile.com.vu) and Telecom Vanuatu Ltd (TVL) (website: www.tvl.net.vu). TVL also operates an analogue cellular network compliable with AMPs. Coverage is nationwide. Fax Most hotels and post offices have facilities. Internet ISPs include Vanuatu.Com (website: www.vanuatu.com.vu). There is an Internet cafe in Port-Vila. Telegram Available at the Central Post Office in Port Vila and at main hotels. Post Post offices are located on the main streets in Port Vila and Luganville, on Espiritu Santo. Airmail to Europe takes about seven days. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1630. Press Vanuatu Weekly is published in English, French and Bislama, Trading Post in English and Port Vila Presse in English and French. The monthly Pacific Island Profile is published in English and French. For tourist information, see the publication Discover Vanuatu. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.36 9.740 6.195 3.915 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 17.74 11.71 9.645 6.110 From www.columbusguides.com, Copyright © 2004 Highbury Columbus Travel Publishing Terms and Conditions apply.