Vanuatu

[ vah-noo-ah-too ]

noun

1. a republic consisting of a group of 80 islands in the southern Pacific, about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) northeast of Australia: formerly under joint British and French administration; gained independence 1980. About 5,700 sq. mi. (14,763 sq. km). : Vila.

Vanuatu

/ ˈvænuːˌætuː /

noun

1. a republic comprising a group of islands in the W Pacific, W of Fiji: a condominium under Anglo-French joint rule from 1906; attained partial autonomy in 1978 and full independence in 1980 as a member of the Commonwealth. Its economy is based chiefly on copra. Official languages: Bislama; French; English. Religion: Christian majority. Currency: vatu. Capital: Vila (on Efate). Pop: 261 565 (2013 est). Area: about 14 760 sq km (5700 sq miles) Official nameRepublic of Vanuatu Former name (until 1980)New Hebrides

Other Words From

• Va·nu·a·tu·an adjective noun

Example Sentences

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake a year ago caused a small tsunami to wash ashore at Vanuatu but no damage was reported.

From Seattle Times

French officials fear that China could gain sway in an independent New Caledonia, just as it has sought to do in other South Pacific countries like Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.

From New York Times

Last year a company called Swoop Aero used drones to deliver vaccines in the island nation of Vanuatu.

From NewsForKids.net

Ireland made it through to the semi-finals of Twenty20 World Cup qualifying in Abu Dhabi by beating Vanuatu by nine wickets on Wednesday.

From BBC

How did these men, some of whom had multiple passports from Cambodia, Vanuatu, Cyprus and Dominica, live and bank in Singapore for years without drawing scrutiny?

From BBC