Tag Archives: Study in Vanuatu

State of the southwestern Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia, corresponding to the archipelago of the New Hebrides (New Hebrides); consists of approx. 40 islands, lined up on two festoons in the NS direction for about 800 km, and in the EW direction for about 200 km. Far from the Australian mainland, located more than 1800 km to the W, the islands that make up Vanuatu are relatively close to the more eastern Fiji. The surface of the emerged lands is negligible compared to the vastness of the oceanic spaces on which they overlook: they, in fact, follow one another from N to S for more than 700 km. The archipelago is among the least Europeanized in the Pacific. According to COUNTRYAAH, Vanuatu is a nation in Melanesia, the capital city of which is Port-Vila. The latest population of Vanuatu is 307,156.

VANUATU
Known in the past as the New Hebrides, since 30 July 1980, the archipelago is an independent republic with the name of Vanuatu. Head of State is the President of the Republic, elected every 5 years by the Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils. Legislative power is exercised by the unicameral Parliament, elected every 4 years by direct suffrage; executive power rests with the Council of Ministers, appointed by the Prime Minister. The system of law in use is a mixture of English and French rules and international jurisdiction is not accepted. Within the country, civil and criminal justice is administered by the Supreme Court. There is no regular army on the island; however, there is a police force in force for the defense of the territory and maritime borders. L’ education is free and government efforts to spread schooling have led to a reduction in illiteracy, which has dropped significantly although it is still at high levels when compared with other Pacific countries (21.9% in 2007). Primary school lasts 5 years, secondary school 7. Higher education is given in the branch of the University of the South Pacific.

GEOGRAPHY
Of the two festoons which, as mentioned, form the archipelago, the most important is the western one, comprising the islands Espiritu Santo (5000 km²), Malakula (2500 km²), Ėfaté (1100 km²), Erromango, Tanna and Aneityum; the other festoon includes the groups of Torres and Banks and the islands of Maéwo, Pentecôte, Ambrym and Épi. The islands are partly of coral, partly volcanic origin; there are numerous volcanic cones, 3 of which are still active (on Tanna, Lopévi and Ambrym), with frequent eruptions sometimes accompanied by earthquakes. Between 13º and 21º of latitude S, the archipelago has a humid tropical climate and in the period between December-January and March-April it can be hit by cyclones.