LUGANVILLE

 Espiritu Santo, more commonly known as Santo, is the largest island in Vanuatu with an overall area of some 4000 km². For the most part, the population lives along the coast or on the small offshore islands. Dominated by Mount Tabwemasana (1880 m) the eastern coast is wild and mountainous, difficult to access, as opposed to the western coast which can easily be explored. Copra, cattle farming, fishing, coffee and cocoa remain the major resources of the island, with a growing tourism sector.

 
Luganville is Vanuatu's second urban centre. Whilst it may not be the administrative capital, nevertheless, with the extension of the airstrip to international standards and the various projects which should be coming on line shortly, not to mention the thousands of hectares of arable land, it stands a very good chance of becoming the economical capital of Vanuatu one day.

PORT VILA

Located in the Pacific Ocean, Vanuatu is made up of more than 80 islands and islets. Pacific islands of extraordinary beauty and fascination. Fragrant blooms of the tropic abound. Fringed by tall palms, white sand beaches remain unspoilt and uncrowded. The tourquoise waters of lagoons sparkle under a warm sun. This is the home of a proud people who still honour and nurture culture rich in age-old traditions and ceremonies. 

Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, projects the image of a very cosmopolitan town with its mixture of European, Vietnamese, Chinese and Melanesian cultures. Alongside the modern two or three-storey buildings, the large colonial houses are reminders of a none too distant past. Not to be missed, the big market on mornings. 

 

Another heritage of those times, the bustling Chinese district, where you can find everything you could imagine "made in Hongkong" at very reasonable prices. Most of the commercial life is in the main street (Kumul Highway), with duty-free shops, coffee shops, restaurants, fashion boutiques, travel agencies, but also the banks and many other establishments.