Port Vila is the capital city of Vanuatu. In the same time it is the largest city in that state with 38000 inhabitants. It is situated on the south coast of the Efate Island in the Shefa province.
Aerial view of Port Vila
The first inhabitants of this area were Melanesian people who are settled there for more than thousand years. The first Europeans who arrived here in 1606 were Spanish explorers Pedro Fernández de Quirós and Luis Váez de Torres. After 1887, French and British are administered together the territory of Port Vila. During the World War II, Port Vila was American and Australian military base. The year 1987 was the year when cyclone damaged city. On January 2002, the strong earthquake almost destroyed entire city, after which followed the tsunami.
As for the economy of the Port Vila, it is an important port and trade center. An airport Bauerfield is situated in the city. But still the main industries are agriculture and fishing. About 37% of export from Vanuatu passes trough Port Vila, while 87% of import in the country passes trough this city. Tourism is also very important branch; in 1997 about 50000 tourists visited Port Vila. But, Vanuatu still depends on foreign help, and the biggest part of help is coming from Australia, New Zeeland and China.
Port Vila is mostly inhabited by Melanesian, but there are also Polinesian, Asian and European people (French and British mostly). Population speaks Melanesian language Bislama, although French and English are also spoken. In the city are also spoken other Indigenous languages.
More than 90% of the people who live in the Port Vila are Christians; the third of the population are Presbyterians, while Roman Catholics and the Church of Melanesia have each about 15% of followers.
The University of the South Pacific, educational institution is located in Port Vila.
Port Villa is excellent starting point for tourists visiting Vanuatu. Vanuatu can be easily considered as paradise. There are no poisonous snakes, spiders or insects here, except poisonous marine animals. Tropical diseases exist, but reasonable caution will almost eliminate these.
There are many beaches near Port Villa and virtually thousands across the nearby islands…
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