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'''Vanuatu''' is a small [[island]] [[nation]] near [[Australia]].  Parts of the nation remain in a pre-modern state, sometimes typified by [[cargo cult|cargo cults]].

'''Vanuatu''' is a small [[island]] [[nation]] near [[Australia]].  Parts of the nation remain in a pre-modern state, sometimes typified by [[cargo cult]]s.

==Geography==

==Geography==

*Education: Enrollment in primary is 100% with rapid fall-off to 20% in secondary and upper secondary. Adult literacy rate (2005)--74% of those age 15 and older.

*Education: Enrollment in primary is 100% with rapid fall-off to 20% in secondary and upper secondary. Adult literacy rate (2005)--74% of those age 15 and older.

*Health: Infant mortality rate (2005)--55.1/1,000. Life expectancy (2005)--62.5 yrs.

*Health: Infant mortality rate (2005)--55.1/1,000. Life expectancy (2005)--62.5 yrs.

*Work force (1999): 134,000. Agriculture--65%. Industry--5%. Service--30%.  

*Work force (1999): 134,000. Agriculture—65%. Industry—5%. Service—30%.  

==Government==

==Government==

===Principal Government Officials===

===Principal Government Officials===

*President--Baldwin Lonsdale

*President—Baldwin Lonsdale

*Prime Minister--Charlot Salwai

*Prime Minister—Charlot Salwai

*Foreign Minister/Deputy Prime Minister--Sato Kilman  

*Foreign Minister/Deputy Prime Minister—Sato Kilman  

===Political Conditions===

===Political Conditions===

Government and society in Vanuatu tend to divide along linguistic--French and English--lines. Historically, English-speaking politicians such as Walter Lini and other leaders of the Vanua'aku Pati favored early independence, whereas French-speaking political leaders favored continuing association with the colonial administrators, particularly France.  

Government and society in Vanuatu tend to divide along linguistic—French and English—lines. Historically, English-speaking politicians such as Walter Lini and other leaders of the Vanua'aku Pati favored early independence, whereas French-speaking political leaders favored continuing association with the colonial administrators, particularly France.  

On the eve of independence in 1980, Jimmy Stevens' Nagriamel movement, in alliance with private French interests and backed by American libertarians hoping to establish a tax-free haven, declared the island of Espiritu Santo independent of the new government. Following independence, Vanuatu requested assistance from Papua New Guinea, whose forces restored order on Santo. From then until 1991, the Vanua'aku Pati and its predominantly English-speaking leadership controlled the Vanuatu Government, and Walter Lini became widely considered as the nation's founding father.  

On the eve of independence in 1980, Jimmy Stevens' Nagriamel movement, in alliance with private French interests and backed by American libertarians hoping to establish a tax-free haven, declared the island of Espiritu Santo independent of the new government. Following independence, Vanuatu requested assistance from Papua New Guinea, whose forces restored order on Santo. From then until 1991, the Vanua'aku Pati and its predominantly English-speaking leadership controlled the Vanuatu Government, and Walter Lini became widely considered as the nation's founding father.  

*Avg. inflation rate (2005): 2.6%.

*Avg. inflation rate (2005): 2.6%.

*Natural resources: Forests, agricultural land, marine resources.

*Natural resources: Forests, agricultural land, marine resources.

*Agriculture: Products--copra, cocoa, coffee, cattle, timber.

*Agriculture: Products—copra, cocoa, coffee, cattle, timber.

*Industry: Types--copra production, beef processing, sawmilling, tourism, financial services.

*Industry: Types—copra production, beef processing, sawmilling, tourism, financial services.

*Trade (2003): Exports--$135.27 million: coconut oil, copra, kava, beef. Major markets--EU 44.9%, Australia 12.1%, Japan 6.8%, New Caledonia 4.6%. Imports--$181.4 million: machines and transport equipment, food and live animals, basic manufactures, mineral fuels. Major suppliers--Australia 42.5%, New Zealand 13.0%, Fiji 8.6%, Singapore 6.2%.

*Trade (2003): Exports--$135.27 million: coconut oil, copra, kava, beef. Major markets—EU 44.9%, Australia 12.1%, Japan 6.8%, New Caledonia 4.6%. Imports--$181.4 million: machines and transport equipment, food and live animals, basic manufactures, mineral fuels. Major suppliers—Australia 42.5%, New Zealand 13.0%, Fiji 8.6%, Singapore 6.2%.

*Exchange rate (2005 avg.): 109.25 vatu=U.S.$1.  

*Exchange rate (2005 avg.): 109.25 vatu=U.S.$1.  

[[category:Oceanian Countries]]

[[Category:Oceanian Countries]]

[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]

[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]