Vanuatu is located in the South Pacific Ocean in close proximity to Fiji and the Solomon Islands. Archaeological evidence of occupation dates back to 1300 BC. Its first inhabitants were the Melanesians and it remained so until the end of the 18th century when the Europeans arrived with Britain and France claiming the regions and thus renaming it 'New Hebrides' for constitutional purposes.
The area of subtropical Vanutau is comprised of an archipelago of 83 islands most of which are volcanic in origin. Its capital is Port Vila on the islands of Efate. The second largerst town is on Espititu Santo - Luganville on Espiritu Santo.
Vanuatu's rain forests fall under the terrestrial ecoregion which is part of Australasia's ecozone including New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, Australia, New Guinea, and New Zealand.
In the past decade Vanuatu has been shaken by severe natural disasters such as a series of earthquakes, one of which was ensured by a Tsunami and is also is home to several active volcanoes.
The cultural influences are interestingly enough distinguishes by regions such as the designations of wealth (symbolized by pigs with rounded tusks) in the north, traditional systems in the middle and grants of title in the South. A bridge has been built between the role of marine conservation in Vanuatu's contemporary society and the traditional preservation thereof through a local initiative known as the Women's Traditional Marine Tenure Project.
It was established in 1996 is run by the Vanuatu Cultural Centre with the aim of maintaining levels of sustainable management of the area's marine resources through monitoring of traditional fishing practices.
Its foundation lies in preserving, recording and protecting the rich traditional oral knowledge, passed down over thousands of years which has assisted in striking a balance in the natural marine environment.
Scuba Diving in Vanuatu
At North Efate, trips leave from Havannah Harbour, to Lelepa and Hat Islands, Paul's Rock, and Castaway Beach. Hideaway Island resort and marine sanctuary is the best place to set up central headquarters for a conclusive scuba trip. Efate sites include Twin Bombies, Fila Island Reef, Blacksands reef and caves, Mele reef, Cathedral and Konanda.
Vanuatu attracts advanced divers for across the globe to its famous WWII wrecks: Star of Russia(Port Vila Harbour), the President Coolidge (off the Island of Espiritu Santo), the USS Tucker and Million Dollar Point.
Espiritu Santo offers and abundance of reefs and breathtaking cave dives sites include Tutuba Point, Million Dollar point, Fantastic and USS Tucker.
Tubana is great for night dives with its "Flashlight fish" and the area's thrilling Gray Reef shark feeding experience is very popular.
Vanuatu's marine life is rich with the likes of Barracuda, giant Dog Tooth Tuna, black coral, bommies, gorgonians, coral whips, and an endless rainbow of reef fish.
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