Vanuatu

General Information
	Area: 12,190 sq km (4707 sq miles). Population: 182,000 (1998). Population Density: 14.9 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 Barak Sope since 2000. Language: Bislama (Pidgin English), English and French are the official languages. This 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 100 local dialects. Religion: Mostly Christian, including Presbyterian, Anglican, Roman Catholic and several other denominations. Time: GMT + 11. Electricity: 220/230 volts AC. Australian 3-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 Telecom Vanuatu Ltd (TVL), (e-mail: telecom@tvl.net.vu). For emergency services dial 22 333 for fire services; 22 222 for police; 22 100 for an ambulance. Mobile telephone: Telecom Vanuatu Ltd (TVL) operates an analog cellular network compliable with AMPs. Coverage is limited to Port-Vila. Fax: Some hotels have facilities. Internet/E-mail: ISPs include Vanuatu.Com (web site: http://www.vanuatu.com.vu). Telegram: Available at the Central Post Office in Port-Vila and at main hotels. Postal: Post offices are located on the main streets in Port-Vila and Luganville, on Espiritu Santo. Post office hours: 0715-1130 and 1330-1600. Press: Vanuatu Weekly is published in three languages. The monthly Pacific Island Profile is published in English and French. For tourist information see the publication Hapi Tumas Long Vanuatu.
Travel
	AIR: The national airline is Air Vanuatu (NF) Level One, 160 Clarence Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 (tel: (2) 9299 9737; fax: (2) 9299 5737); e-mail: sales@airvanuatu.com.au, which offers weekly services between Port-Vila and Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in Australia, and Auckland (New Zealand). The Visit the South Pacific Pass is valid for a number of airlines operating in the South Pacific, including Air Caledonie, Air Marshall Islands, Air Nauru, Air Niugingi, Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu, Polynesian Airlines, Qantas, Royal Tongan Airlines and Solomon Airlines. Offering reductions of up to 50 per cent on normal airfares, this sector-based pass allows for flexible island-hopping between the destinations of American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and the more remote Melanesian and Micronesian islands, together with major cities in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) and New Zealand (Wellington). The journey must be started outside the South Pacific and only one stopover in Australia is allowed. A minimum of two coupons must be bought before departure (a maximum of eight coupons can be purchased en route). For details and conditions, contact the South Pacific Tourism Organisation or your travel agent. International airport: Port-Vila (VLI) (Bauerfield) is 5km (3 miles) from Port-Vila (travel time - 10 minutes). Coaches and taxis are available. Facilities have been upgraded and currently include bank/bureau de change (open during international flight operations), left luggage, duty-free shops (open during international flight operations) and bar. Departure tax: Vt2500. Children under 12 years are exempt. The departure tax must be paid in cash and in local currency (Vatu) only.
Entry
	Passport Visa Return Ticket Required Australian  Yes  No  Yes British  Yes  No  Yes Canadian  Yes  No  Yes Japanese  Yes  No  Yes Other EU  Yes  No  Yes USA  Yes  No  Yes
	PASSPORTS: Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond return date required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following, provided they are in possession of confirmed onward travel documents, for visits of up to 30 days: (a) nationals of countries listed in the chart above; (b) nationals of Commonwealth countries; (c) nationals of French Overseas Departments and Territories and British Dependencies; (d) nationals of Bermuda, Brazil, Chile, China (PR), Cuba, Korea (Rep. of), Kuwait, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Morocco, Norway, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russian Federation, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Vatican City; (e) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. For more information contact: Principal Immigration Officer, Private Mail Bag 0092, Port-Vila (tel: 22354; fax: 25492).
Misc. Info
	CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Vanuatu customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Vanuatu of items such as firearms and ammunition, sexually explicit material and certain prescription medications. Other goods may be subject to quarantine or import duty. The government of Vanuatu prohibits the export of artifacts from the Second World War without prior permission. CRIME INFORMATION: Violent crime is rare in Vanuatu; however, petty theft does occur. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are limited. The nearest reliable medical facilities are in Australia or New Zealand. Medical conditions resulting from diving accidents may require medical evacuation to Australia or New Zealand. A hyperbaric recompression chamber is located in Luganville on Espititu Santo Island. Malaria incidence is high in some areas of Vanuatu. Serious medical conditions requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the Vanuatu is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation: Good Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good to Poor Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor Availability of Roadside Assistance: Not available Vanuatu is a chain of islands and atolls; travel between them is mainly conducted by plane and boat. Only the capital city of Port Vila (on Efate Island) and the town of Luganville (on Espiritu Santo Island) have paved roads, on which a speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour is enforced. These paved roads are two lanes and can be narrow in spots; care should be taken especially when driving at night or along unfamiliar routes. The roads found in all other areas are unpaved or dirt tracks. Drivers on all roads should give way to traffic coming from the right. Travelers must take care when driving off main roads to avoid trespassing on communal land. For information concerning the operation of motor vehicles in Vanuatu contact the Vanuatu Mission to the United Nations or the Vanuatu Tourism Office.

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