Welkam evriwan!. Can you guess what I just said?, that’s Bislama for ‘ Welcome everyone!. Bislama is one of the official languages of the Republic of Vanuatu. Vanuatu is an island nation located in the South Pacific. The archipelago is of volcanic origins and it is roughly 12,274 square kilometres. It consists of about 83 small islands of which 65 are inhabited. The island is 1,750 km east of northern Australia. The country’s name us gotten from the Austronesian word ‘vanua’ which means home and the word ‘tu’ which means to stand. The name conveys the independent status of the island.
Vanuatu is a beautiful country but yet, it is not famous. Let’s take a look at 16 facts that will make you love Vanuatu.
1. VANUATU INVENTED BUNGEE JUMPING.
As hard as it sounds to believe, bungee jumping was invented in Vanuatu. In early April on Vanuatu’s Pentecost Island, when the yam crops emerges, the locals begin to build high wooden towers which are around 20 to 30 meters. Once the structures are completed, and until about the end of May, village men and boys dive from these rickety structures with vines attached to their ankles. The tradition, known as Nanggol, is seen as the foreshadower of the modern day Bungee jumping.
2. PRINCE PHILIP IS WORSHIPED.
The Prince Philip movement is a religious sect followed by the Kastom people around the villages of Yaohnanen and Yakel on the southern island of Tanna in Vanuatu. This people believe that Prince Philip is the son of a mountain spirit who traveled over the seas and returned after marrying a powerful woman. The tribe still worships the late Prince down to this day.
3. WORLD’S MOST DISASTER-PRONE COUNTRY
For four years straight, Vanuatu has been ranked the world’s most disaster-prone country in an annual World Risk Report published by the United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). Some common natural hazards include cyclones, volcanic eruptions, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts and sea level rises. Also, there are over 2000 seismic activity reported in Vanuatu each year.
4. IT IS ONE OF THE LEAST VISITED COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD.
Vanuatu is a very beautiful country with breath-taking beaches, tropical fruits, volcanoes and lots more and yet it is visited by just 95,000 people in a year. One of the reasons for this is the very long and exhausting journey. The quickest way to get to Vanuatu from the united states is from L.A to Port Villa and the flight takes 21 hrs: 41 mins. An average from the united states takes 35hrs:29 mins.
4. VANUATU’S ECONOMY IS RELIANT ON TOURISM
Though not much people visit this island every year, the country’s economy is reliant on tourism. In fact, tourism contributes 65% to Vanuatu’s G.D.P directly and indirectly. Sadly, this thriving industry has only brought development to very places in the country. Most visitors do not even venture out of Port Vila and the rests parts are poorly developed.
5. ONE OF THE MOST HAPPIEST NATIONS ON EARTH.
Despite being highly prone to national disasters and the country’s poor economy, Vanuatuans are happy people. Vanuatu ranks forth im the world in the World Happiness Index. When live in such a beautiful island, why won’t you be happy.
6. BAN ON JUNK FOOD
Torba, a province in the northern part most part of Vanuatu has placed a ban on all junk food from overseas. They are hopeful that it will reduce future health problems among their citizens. The most popular imported foods consumed in Torba were rice, sweets, tinned fish and biscuits according to Father Lux Dink, a community leader. The province aims to encourage the consumption of locally grown organic foods among tourists and locals.
7. YOU CAN FIND DUGONGS IN ABUNDANCE
The endangered dugong or sea cow is plenty in Vanuatu. They are also friendly as well.
What other facts do you know about Vanuatu? You can share them in the comment section
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I didn’t know that bungee jumping was intented in Vanuatu thanks for sharing
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Thank you. I never knew until now.
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