relatively small, geologically newer islands of volcanic origin (65 of
them inhabited), with about 800 miles (1,300 km) north to south
distance between the outermost islands. Two of these islands (Matthew
and Hunter) are also claimed by France as part of the French
collectivity of New Caledonia. Fourteen of Vanuatu's islands have
surface areas of more than 100 square kilometres (39 sq mi). The
country lies between latitudes 13° and 21°S, and longitudes 166° and
171°E.
From largest to smallest, these are Espiritu Santo, Malakula, Efate,
Erromango, Ambrym, Tanna, Pentecost, Epi, Ambae or Aoba, Vanua Lava,
Gaua, Maewo, Malo, and Anatom or Aneityum. The nation's largest towns
are the capital Port Vila, situated on Efate, and Luganville on
Espiritu Santo. The highest point in Vanuatu is Mount Tabwemasana, at
1,879 metres (6,165 ft), on the island of Espiritu Santo.
Vanuatu's total area is (roughly 12,274 square kilometres (4,739 sq
mi)) of which its land base is very limited (roughly 4,700 square
kilometres (1,800 sq mi)); most of the islands are steep, with
unstable soils, and little permanent freshwater. One estimate (2005)
is only 9% of land is used for agriculture (7% permanent crops, 2%
arable land). The shoreline is usually rocky with fringing reefs and
no continental shelf, dropping rapidly into the ocean depths.
There are several active volcanoes in Vanuatu, including Lopevi, as
well as several underwater ones. Volcanic activity is common with an
ever-present danger of a major eruption; a recent nearby undersea
eruption of 6.4 magnitude occurred in November 2008 with no
casualties, and an eruption occurred in 1945. Vanuatu is recognised as
a distinct terrestrial ecoregion, known as the Vanuatu rain forests.
It is part of the Australasia ecozone, which includes New Caledonia,
the Solomon Islands, Australia, New Guinea, and New Zealand.
A stream on Efate island
Vanuatu's growing population (estimated in 2008 at 2.4% annually)[18]
is placing increased pressure on local resources for agriculture,
grazing, hunting, and fishing.[13] Some 90% of Ni-Vanuatu households
fish and consume fish, which has caused intense fishing pressure near
villages and the depletion of near-shore fish species.[13] While well
vegetated, most islands also show signs of deforestation.[13] They
have been logged (particularly of higher-value timber), subjected to
wide-scale slash-and-burn agriculture, converted to coconut
plantations and cattle ranches, and show evidence of increased soil
erosion and landslides.
Freshwater is becoming increasingly scarce and many upland watersheds
are being deforested and degraded. Proper waste disposal and water and
air pollution are also increasingly troublesome issues around urban
areas and large villages. Additionally, the lack of employment
opportunities in industry and urban areas and inaccessibility to
markets have combined to lock rural families into a subsistence or
self-reliance mode, putting tremendous pressure on local ecosystems.
Flora and fauna[edit source | editbeta]
Despite its tropical forests, Vanuatu has a limited number of plant
and animal species. There are no indigenous large mammals. The 19
species of native reptiles include the flowerpot snake, found only on
Efate. The Fiji Banded Iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) was introduced
as a feral animal in the 1960s.[19][20] There are 11 species of bats
(3 unique to Vanuatu) and 61 species of land and water birds. While
the small Polynesian rat is thought to be indigenous, the large
species arrived with Europeans, as did domesticated hogs, dogs, and
cattle. The ant species of some of the islands of Vanuatu were
catalogued by E. O. Wilson.
The region is rich in sea life, with more than 4,000 species of marine
molluscs. Coneshell and stonefish carry poison fatal to humans. The
giant East African land snail arrived only in the 1970s but already
has spread from the Port-Vila region to Luganville.
There are three or possibly four adult saltwater crocodiles living in
Vanuatu's mangroves and no current breeding population. It is said the
crocodiles reached the northern part of the islands after cyclones,
given the island chain's proximity to the Solomon Islands and New
Guinea where crocodiles are very common.
Eratap Beach, Vanuatu
The climate is tropical with approximately nine months of warm to hot
rainy weather and the possibility of cyclones and three to four months
of cooler drier weather characterized by winds from the southeast. The
water temperature ranges from 72 °F (22 °C) in winter to 82 °F (28 °C)
in the summer. Cool between April and September, the days become
hotter and more humid starting in October. The daily temperature
ranges from 68 °F (20 °C) to 90 °F (32 °C). South easterly trade winds
occur from May to October.
Vanuatu has a long rainy season, with significant rainfall usually
occurring almost every month. The wettest and hottest months are
December through to April, which also constitute the cyclone season.
The driest months are June through November. Rainfall averages about
2,360 millimetres (93 in) per year but can be as high as 4,000
millimetres (160 in) in the northern islands.
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