vanuatus

Vanuatus commonly refers to Vanuatu, a sovereign island nation in the South Pacific. The country consists of roughly 83 islands and is located in Melanesia, northeast of New Caledonia and east of Australia. It covers about 12,000 square kilometers, with Port Vila on Efate Island serving as the capital and largest urban center; Luganville on Espiritu Santo is another major town.

The population is around three hundred thousand. Ni-Vanuatu is the collective term for the people, who belong to diverse Melanesian cultures with a mix of customary land tenure and communal practices. The official languages are Bislama, English, and French, while hundreds of indigenous languages are spoken across the islands. The currency is the Vanuatu vatu (VUV).

Vanuatu is a parliamentary democracy in a constitutional framework. The President acts as the ceremonial head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The Parliament has 52 seats, with members elected to four-year terms. The country gained independence in 1980 from a United Kingdom–France trusteeship and joined the United Nations in 1981.

Economy and society are centered on agriculture, particularly coconuts (copra) and spices, as well as fishing, tourism, and small-scale manufacturing. The service sector, including public administration and education, plays a significant role. The nation faces vulnerabilities from natural hazards such as tropical cyclones and volcanic activity, including the continually active Yasur Volcano on Tanna. Vanuatu pursues climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development within regional and international frameworks.