Vanuatu

[vah-noo-ah-too]

noun

a republic consisting of a group of 80 islands in the S Pacific, about 1000 miles (1600 km) NE of Australia: formerly under joint British and French administration; gained independence 1980. About 5700 sq. mi. (14,763 sq. km). Capital: Vila.

Formerly New Hebrides.

Related formsVa·nu·a·tu·an, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for vanuatu

Vanuatu

noun

a republic comprising a group of islands in the W Pacific, W of Fiji: a condominium under Anglo-French joint rule from 1906; attained partial autonomy in 1978 and full independence in 1980 as a member of the Commonwealth. Its economy is based chiefly on copra. Official languages: Bislama; French; English. Religion: Christian majority. Currency: vatu. Capital: Vila (on Efate). Pop: 261 565 (2013 est). Area: about 14 760 sq km (5700 sq miles)Official name: Republic of Vanuatu Former name (until 1980): New Hebrides

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