Vanuatu: Fast facts about the island nation

Vanuatu has been battered by category five Cyclone Pam, one of the strongest storms on record to affect the region. But how much do you know about the small south Pacific island nation?

Cyclone Pam has affected at least half Vanuatu's population. How much do you know about the small Pacific island nation.

The island nations of Vanuatu, Tuvalu and Kiribati have been pummeled as Cyclone Pam made its way across the South Pacific.

UNICEF said the cyclone had affected at least half of Vanuatu's population of approximately 260,000 people.

Facts about Vanuatu

• Located in the South Pacific Ocean, west of Fiji, approximately 1750km from the east coast of northern Australia.

• Made up of more than 80 islands (13 major islands).
• Capital: Port Vila
• Land covers a surface area of 12,189 square km. Approximately 30 per cent of people live in urban areas.
• Nine active volcanos: seven on land and two at sea. The most famous is Mt Yasur on Tanna Island
• Vanuatu receives 2-3 cyclones per wet season.
• The hot/wet season is November to April, also known as cyclone season

• Three official languages: English, French and Bislama (Vanuatu Pidgin English)

• There are 112 individual languages, but two are extinct
• Religion: Mostly Christian

• Vanuatu's currency is the Vatu (VUV)
• GDP in 2013 was $US828.2 million
• The Gross National Income was $2870 in 2013
• The literacy rate was 85 per cent, and life expectancy was 71 years in 2013 (The World Bank)
• Vanuatu's president Baldwin Lonsdale has served in that role since September 2014
• An independent parliamentary democracy. There are 52 members of Parliament and general elections every four years

• Gained independence from England and France and renamed ‘Republic of Vanuatu’ in 1980
• Was called ‘New Hebrides’ when British and French settlers claimed the land in 19^th century