The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some 1,750 kilometres (1,090 mi) east of northern Australia, 500 kilometres (310 mi) northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.

Capital and largest city: Port Vila

Official languages: Bislama, English, French

Demonym: Ni-Vanuatu; Vanuatuan

Government: Parliamentary republic
- President Iolu Abil
- Prime Minister Sato Kilman

Independence from France and the UK
- Date 30 July 1980

Area
- Total 12,190 km2 (161st)

Population
- 2009 census 243,304[1]
- Density 19.7/km2 (188th)

Currency: Vanuatu vatu (VUV)

Time zone: UTC+11 (UTC+11)

Drives on the right

ISO 3166 code: VU

Internet TLD: .vu

Calling code: 678