Long-form name: Republic of Vanuatu

Type: republic

Capital: Port-Vila

Administrative divisions: 11 island councils; Ambrym, Aoba/Maewo, Banks/Torres, Efate, Epi, Malakula, Paama, Pentecote, Santo/Malo, Shepherd, Tafea

Independence: 30 July 1980 (from France and UK; formerly New Hebrides)

Constitution: 30 July 1980

Legal system: unified system being created from former dual French and British systems

National holiday: Independence Day, 30 July (1980)

Branch: unicameral legislature (46-member Parliament)

Leaders: Father Walter Hadye LINI, Prime Minister (since 1980); Fred TIMAKATA, President

Elections: last national election held November 1987, next scheduled for 1991; parliamentary byelections were held December 1988 to fill vacancies resulting from the expulsion of opposition members for boycotting sessions

Political parties and leaders: National Party (Vanua'aku Pati), Walter Lini; Union of Moderate Parties, Maxine Carlot; Melanesian Progressive Party, Barak Sope

Member of: ADB, Commonwealth, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, ITU, NAM, SPF, UN, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation: none

Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green (bottom) with a black, isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal @m5Y (the two points of the @m5Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed @m5namele leaves, all in yellow

NOTE: The information regarding Vanuatu on this page is re-published from the 1989 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Vanuatu Government 1989 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Vanuatu Government 1989 should be addressed to the CIA.