Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates:
16 00 S, 167 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area: Area - comparative: Land boundaries: Coastline: Maritime claims: Climate: Terrain: Elevation: Natural resources: Land use: Irrigated land: Population distribution: Natural hazards: volcanism: significant volcanic activity with multiple eruptions in recent years; Yasur (361 m), one of the world's most active volcanoes, has experienced continuous activity in recent centuries; other historically active volcanoes include Aoba, Ambrym, Epi, Gaua, Kuwae, Lopevi, Suretamatai, and Traitor's Head
Environment - current issues: Environment - international agreements: Geography - note:
total: 12,189 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 12,189 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited
country comparison to the world:
163
slightly larger than Connecticut
0 km
2,528 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]
territorial sea: 12
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]
exclusive economic zone: 200
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone country ranks ]
contiguous zone: 24
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - contiguous zone country ranks ]
continental shelf: 200
nm or to the edge of the continental margin
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April
More Climate Details
mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains
0 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean
1877 highest point: Tabwemasana
manganese, hardwood forests, fish
agricultural land: 15.3%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 1.6%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 10.3%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 3.4%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 36.1%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 48.6%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - other country ranks ]
0 sq km
(2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]
three-quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; three largest islands - Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate - accomodate over half of the populace
tropical cyclones (January to April); volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began on 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis
population growth; water pollution, most of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; inadequate sanitation; deforestation
party to:
Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes and there are several underwater volcanoes as well