Would you like to visit some tropical islands overgrown with jungles where time stopped a long time ago? Then your path lies in Vanuatu — group of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Of course, civilization has reached here, but it’s worth driving a little away from the city — and here it is, life as it was thousands of years before the Europeans came here!
Interesting facts about Vanuatu
- This country has a low crime rate, and in recent years it has continued decline.
- Vanuatu has no standing army.
- The most popular drink here is — kava, a tincture made from one of the local fruits. They drink it here instead of beer.
- Traditions in Vanuatu are strong to this day. Here, the Council of Elders acts as government adviser.
- Almost all Vanuatuans — Christians, but traces of animism, a traditional local belief, are still visible in the local branch of Christianity.
- About 5% of Vanuatu’s population — followers of the cargo cult. All of them — people living almost in isolation, still existing in a state of order close to the primitive. They live on several islands that are part of the Republic of Vanuatu, but it is not a fact that they themselves know about it. They definitely don’t have passports.
- Three languages, including English, have official status in Vanuatu, but in fact, more than a hundred different languages and dialects are used here. And Vanuatu has the highest density of different languages in the world.
- Vanuatu soldiers took part in the fighting during the Second World War.
- Photographing someone without permission in this country is fraught with conflict.
- The name of the local currency, watu, is translated from the Bislama language as «stone».
- A huge ocean liner, which sank in 1942, lies at the bottom near the city of Luganville. This place is very popular with scuba diving enthusiasts.
- In terms of per capita income, Vanuatu occupies one of the the last places in the world.
- The country received its modern name in 1980, before that it was called the New Hebrides.
- In practice, local leaders, village elders, have great authority and significant powers.
- Athletes from Vanuatu have not yet won a single medal at the Olympic Games, although they regularly take part in them.
- There is an underwater post office near Port Vila where you can send a letter. It really works — there, under water, sits an employee with scuba gear. Of course, this is just entertainment for tourists.