Archaeological evidence supports
that people first came to the
islands some 4,000 years ago.
However, pottery fragments have been
found dating
back to 1300 B.C. The first island
in the Vanuatu group discovered by
Europeans was Espiritu Santo. In
1774, Captain Cook named the islands
the New
Hebrides, which France and the
United Kingdom jointly administered
until the country became
independence in 1980.
Vanuatu has a republican political
system which is currently headed by
a President who is elected for
5-year terms by a two-thirds
majority in an
electoral college. This Electoral
College consists of members of
Parliament and the presidents of
Regional Councils. The prime
minister and the Council of
Ministers constitute the executive
government.
The
economy is based primarily on
household farming agriculture, which
provides a living for 65% of the
population. Fishing, forestry,
offshore
financial services, and tourism are
other mainstays of the economy.
Government revenues come mainly from
import duties and a 12.5 percent
Value Added
Tax (VAT) on goods and services. The
country depends on relatively few
commodity exports such as copra,
beef and forestry products.
Christianity is the predominant
religion in Vanuatu, consisting of
several denominations. The
Presbyterians are the largest (33%
of the population)
followed by Roman Catholics (15%),
and Anglican (15%). There are many
other religious sects and
denominations.
Official name
Republic of Vanuatu
Form of State
Parliamentary based on the
UK model
The executive
Council of Ministers, made
up of 12 members
Parliament chosen by the
Prime Minister who
is in turn elected by
parliament from among its
members.
National legislature
Unicameral parliament of 52
members, elected
for four-year term on a
universal franchise
containing an element of
proportional representation.
Regional legislature
The National Council of
Chiefs, elected from the
District councils of chiefs,
exists alongside
Parliament to discuss and be
consulted on matters
relating to custom and
tradition.
Legal system
A system of magistrates’
court leading up to Supreme
Court.
