one: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: claims Matthew and Hunter Islands east of
New Caledonia

Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds

Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Tabwemasana 1,877 m

Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish

Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 2%
forest and woodland: 1%
other: 91%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: a majority of the population does not have access to
a potable and reliable supply of water
natural hazards: tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April);
volcanism causes minor earthquakes
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea

People
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Population: 177,504 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 40% (male 36,409; female 35,105)
15-64 years: 57% (male 51,969; female 48,901)
65 years and over: 3% (male 2,802; female 2,318) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.17% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 30.57 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.84 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.21 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 64.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 60.13 years
male: 58.27 years
female: 62.09 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.01 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)
adjective: Ni-Vanuatu

Ethnic divisions: indigenous Melanesian 94%, French 4%,
Vietnamese, Chinese, Pacific Islanders

Religions: Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Catholic 15%,
indigenous beliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of
Christ 3.8%, other 15.7%

Languages: English (official), French (official), pidgin (known as
Bislama or Bichelama)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)
total population: 53%
male: 57%
female: 48%

Government
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N