The Republic of Vanuatu (French: République de Vanuatu, Bislama: Ripablik blong Vanuatu), formerly the New Hebrides, has the dubious honor of having been the only territory controlled jointly by France and Britain. The islands are known for being home to a strange Cargo Cult in which they worship a fictional American soldier named John Frum in the hope that he will return and give them presents, and although the followers of the cult originally favoured independence, they later became worried that Vanuatuan independence would somehow turn them all Christian. They became independent in 1980.
For some weird reason they also worship Prince Phillip.
The country is right above a tectonic plate clash, so you can expect earthquakes frequently.
Media set in Vanuatu
- Oscar-nominated Australian film Tanna was set on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu, with an amateur cast filled with locals.
- The ninth season of Survivor was set in Vanuatu.
The Ni-Vanuatu flag
The red and green halves symbolize blood and natural bounty, respectively. Running in between is a black triangle and bar, representing the people. The yellow Y-shape represents the islands' distribution in the Pacific Ocean, and its color signifies the light of Christianity. At the hoist is a boar's tusk, symbolizing prosperity, and within its circle are a pair of fern fronds, signifying peace.
The Ni-Vanuatu national anthem
Yumi, yumi, yumi i glat longi talem se
Yumi, yumi, yumi ol man blong Vanuatu
God i givim ples ia long yumi,
Yumi glat tumas long hem,
Yumi strong mo yumi fri long hem,
Yumi brata evriwan!
Yumi, yumi, yumi i glat longi talem se
Yumi, yumi, yumi ol man blong Vanuatu
Plante fasin blong bifo i stap,
Plante fasin blong tedei,
Be yumi i olsem wan nomo,
Hemia fasin blong yumi!
Yumi, yumi, yumi i glat longi talem se
Yumi, yumi, yumi ol man blong Vanuatu
Yumi save plante wok i stap,
Long ol aelan blong yumi,
God i helpem yumi evriwan,
Hem i papa blong yumi!
Yumi, yumi, yumi i glat longi talem se
Yumi, yumi, yumi ol man blong Vanuatu
—
We are, we are, we are happy to proclaim
We are, we are, we are the people of Vanuatu
God has given us this land,
We are grateful for this,
We are strong and we are free in this land,
We are all brothers!
We are, we are, we are happy to proclaim
We are, we are, we are the people of Vanuatu
Many customs of before we have,
Many customs from today,
But we are all one,
Despite our many ways!
We are, we are, we are happy to proclaim
We are, we are, we are the people of Vanuatu
We know there is plenty of work to be done,
On all our many islands,
God helps us in our work,
He is Our Father!
We are, we are, we are happy to proclaim
We are, we are, we are the people of Vanuatu
—
Nous nous nous sommes fiers de dire que
Nous nous nous sommes des Hommes du Vanuatu
Dieu nous a donné cet endroit,
Nous y sommes très heureux,
Nous y sommes forts et libres,
Nous sommes tous frères!
Nous nous nous sommes fiers de dire que
Nous nous nous sommes des Hommes du Vanuatu
Il y a beaucoup de coutumes du passé,
Il y a beaucoup de coutumes d'aujourd'hui,
Mais nous ne sommes qu'un,
Voilà notre coutume!
Nous nous nous sommes fiers de dire que
Nous nous nous sommes des Hommes du Vanuatu
Nous savons qu'Il y a beaucoup de travail,
Sur toutes nos îles,
Dieu nous aide tous,
Il est Notre Père!
Nous nous nous sommes fiers de dire que
Nous nous nous sommes des Hommes du Vanuatu
Government
- Unitary parliamentary republic
- President: Nikenike Vurobaravu
- Prime Minister: Charlot Salwai
Miscellaneous
- Capital and largest city: Port Vila
- Population: 307,815
- Area: 12,189 km² (4,706 sq mi) (157th)
- Currency: Vanuatuan vatu (VT) (VUV)
- ISO-3166-1 Code: VU
- Country calling code: 678
- Highest point: Mount Tabwemasana (1877 m/6,158 ft) (132nd)
- Lowest point: Pacific Ocean (10,911 m/35,797 ft) (-)
