Living in Vanuatu

Vanuatu lies in the South Pacific, east of Australia, and consists of more than 80 volcanic islands. Around 292,680 people live there. Tropical forests, coral reefs, active volcanoes, and long coastlines shape the landscape. The climate is warm and humid; depending on the island and season, dry months, heavy rainfall, and tropical cyclones alternate. Port Vila on Efate and Luganville on Espiritu Santo have denser development, shops, schools, and service-sector jobs. On smaller islands, many people live in villages, often in simple houses, and combine gardening, fishing, handicrafts, or local services. People travel between islands by boat or plane; family, neighborhood, and community celebrations are important in everyday life.