Country Overview

Vanuatu is a Pacific island country located in the South Pacific Ocean about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia. It is a string of more than 80 islands once known as the New Hebrides. Most of the islands mountainous inhabited island and some have active volcanoes. Much of Vanuatu is covered with tropical rainforests, and is prone to earthquakes and tidal waves.

General Information:

Capital: Port Villa

Language: Local languages (more than 100) 63.2%, Bislama (official; creole) 33.7%, English (official) 2%, French (official) 0.6%, other 0.5% (2009 est.)

Religion: Protestant 70% (includes Presbyterian 27.9%, Anglican 15.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.5%, Assemblies of God 4.7%, Church of Christ 4.5%, Neil Thomas Ministry 3.1%, and Apostolic 2.2%), Roman Catholic 12.4%, customary beliefs 3.7% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 12.6%, none 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2009 est.)

Currency: Vatu

Cryptocurrency: In 2017, Vanuatu became host to the world’s first government to accept bitcoin in exchange for citizenship. In 2019, cryptocurrency was also distributed in Vanuatu as humanitarian relief. 200 residents of Vanuatu were given tap-and-pay cards loaded with $50 of the Dai stablecoin to spend as needed.

GMT: (-) 11

The economy is based primarily on subsistence or small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for 65% of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism are other mainstays of the economy.
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