Islanders

Religions: Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Roman Catholic 15%,
indigenous beliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of Christ
3.8%, other 15.7% (including Jon Frum Cargo cult)

Languages: three official languages: English, French, pidgin (known as
Bislama or Bichelama), plus more than 100 local languages

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

Government Vanuatu

Country name: Republic of Vanuatu conventional short form: Government
type: parliamentary republic

Capital: Port-Vila

Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa,
Tafea, Torba

Independence: 30 July 1980 (from France and UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 30 July (1980)

Constitution: 30 July 1980

Legal system: unified system being created from former dual French and
British systems

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Father John BANI (since
25 March 1999) elections: president elected for a four-year term by an
electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the
regional councils for a five-year term; election for president last
held 25 March 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is
usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members;
election for prime minister last held 2 May 2002 (next to be held NA
2003) note: the government of Prime Minister Barak SOPE was ousted in
a no confidence vote on 14 April 2001 and Edward NATAPEI was elected
the new prime minister by Parliament election results: - NA%; Edward
NATAPEI reelected prime minister by Parliament cabinet: Parliament
head of government: Prime Minister Edward NATAPEI (since 16 April 2001);
Deputy Prime Minister Serge VOHOR (since 16 April 2001)

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by
popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 2 May 2002
(next to be held NA 2006) note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on
matters of custom and land election results: percent of vote by party -
NA%; seats by party - UMP 15, VP 14, VRP 3, MPP 2, other and independent
18; note - political party associations are fluid

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the
president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of