Vanuatu: flag, capital, currency and history
Vanuatu, officially the Republic of Vanuatu, is a country in Melanesia, Oceania. Its capital is Port Vila. The currency is the Vanuatu vatu. Languages spoken include Bislama, English and French.
Quick facts about Vanuatu
- Official name
- Republic of Vanuatu
- Capital
- Port Vila
- Region
- Oceania, Melanesia
- Currency
- Vanuatu vatu (VUV, Vt)
- Languages
- Bislama, English, French
- Calling code
- +678
- Internet domain
- .vu
- Area
- 12,189 km² (4,706 sq mi)
- Land borders
- None (island or surrounded by water)
- Demonym
- Ni-Vanuatu
- National day
- Independence Day, July 30
Flag of Vanuatu
Download the flag of Vanuatu as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇻🇺.
History of Vanuatu
The islands were settled by Austronesian-speaking seafarers, linked to the Lapita culture, roughly three thousand years ago. Europeans first arrived in the early 17th century, and James Cook named the archipelago the New Hebrides in 1774. Missionaries, traders and settlers from Britain and France arrived in the 19th century. In 1906 the two powers established a joint Anglo-French Condominium. Movements for self-government grew from the 1970s, and the New Hebrides became the independent Republic of Vanuatu in 1980. Vanuatu is a parliamentary republic.
Key dates
- c. 1300 BCLapita seafarers reach the islands, according to archaeological evidence.
- 1606Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernandes de Queirós reaches the islands.
- 1774James Cook charts the islands and names them the New Hebrides.
- 1906Britain and France establish the Anglo-French Condominium.
- 1980The New Hebrides becomes independent as the Republic of Vanuatu.
A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.
Currency of Vanuatu
Vanuatu uses the Vanuatu vatu (VUV, Vt). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Vanuatu?
The capital of Vanuatu is Port Vila.
What currency does Vanuatu use?
Vanuatu uses the Vanuatu vatu (VUV, symbol Vt).
What languages are spoken in Vanuatu?
Languages used in Vanuatu include Bislama, English and French.
What is the calling code of Vanuatu?
The international calling code of Vanuatu is +678. Its internet domain is .vu.
Which countries border Vanuatu?
Vanuatu has no land borders and is surrounded by water.
On which continent is Vanuatu?
Vanuatu is in Oceania, in the region of Melanesia.
What is the national day of Vanuatu?
Vanuatu marks Independence Day on July 30.
More countries in Melanesia
Country data from the open mledoze/countries dataset (ODbL), with corrections. Flags from flag-icons (MIT).