|
|
|
Adolescenza
**** |
Discoteche/ |
|
|
| Oceania |
| Thanks to
http://www.world66.com/ *********************The content is published under a creative commons licence : http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0 / ). |
| Vanuatu Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Port Vila Port Vila Jennifer Farthing Vanuatu is a group of 83 islands in the South West Pacific, North East of New Caledonia and North West of Fiji. It is a sovereign republic. The Ni-Vanuatu, as they are known, are peaceful, gentle people, in a country of unique and diverse customs and culture. Tourism provides experiences not found elsewhere in the world - the Pentecost Land Dive and the Toka Ceremony on the island of Tanna are both highlights that draw people from all around the world, together with scuba diving. The most important islands are Santo Antao, Malekula, Pentecost, Ambrym, Efate where you find the capital Port Vila and Tanna. __________History Edit This The prehistory of Vanuatu is obscure; archaeological evidence supports the commonly held theory that peoples speaking Austronesian languages first came to the islands some 4 000 years ago. Potsherds have been found dating back to 1300-1100 B.C. The first island in the Vanuatu group discovered by Europeans was Espiritu Santo when in 1606 the Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernandez De Quiros spied what he thought was a southern continent. Europeans did not return until 1768 when Louis Antoine de Bougainville rediscovered the islands. In 1774 Captain Cook named the islands the New Hebrides a name that lasted until independence. In 1825 trader Peter Dillon's discovery of sandalwood on the island of Erromango began a rush that ended in 1830 after a clash between immigrant Polynesian workers and indigenous Melanesians. During the 1860's planters in Australia Fiji New Caledonia and the Samoa Islands in need of laborers encouraged a long-term indentured labor trade called "blackbirding." At the height of the labor trade more than one-half the adult male population of several of the Islands worked abroad. It was at this time that missionaries both Catholic and Protestant arrived on the islands. Settlers also came looking for land on which to establish cotton plantations. When international cotton prices collapsed they switched to coffee cocoa bananas and most successfully coconuts. Initially British subjects from Australia made up the majority but the establishment of the Caledonian Company of the New Hebrides in 1882 soon tipped the balance in favor of French subjects. By the turn of the century the French outnumbered the British two to one. The jumbling of French and British interests in the Islands brought petitions for one or another of the two powers to annex the territory. In 1906 however France and the United Kingdom agreed to administer the islands jointly. Called the British-French Condominium it was a unique form of government with separate governmental systems that came together only in a joint court. Melanesians were barred from acquiring the citizenship of either power. Challenges to this form of government began in the early 1940s. The arrival of Americans during World War II with their informal demeanor and relative wealth was instrumental in the rise of nationalism in the islands. The belief in a mythical messianic figure named John Frum was the basis for an indigenous cargo cult (a movement attempting to obtain industrial goods through magic) promising Melanesian deliverance. Today John Frum is both a religion and a political party with two members in Parliament. The first political party was established in the early 1970s and originally was called the New Hebrides National Party. One of the founders was Father Walter Lini who later became Prime Minister. Renamed the Vanua'aku Pati in 1974 the party pushed for independence; in 1980 the Republic of Vanuatu was created. ________Economy Edit This Economy—overview: The economy is based primarily on subsistence or small-scale agriculture which provides a living for 65% of the population. Fishing offshore financial services and tourism with 46 000 visitors in 1996 are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports vulnerability to natural disasters and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. GDP: purchasing power parity—$231 million (1996 est.) GDP—real growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$1 300 (1996 est.) GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 23% industry: 13% services: 64% (1996) Inflation rate—consumer price index: 2.2% (1997 est.) Labor force: total: NA by occupation: agriculture 65% services 32% industry 3% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $94.4 million expenditures: $99.8 million including capital expenditures of $30.4 million (1996 est.) Industries: food and fish freezing wood processing meat canning Industrial production growth rate: 6.4% (1996 est.) Electricity—capacity: 11 000 kW (1995) Electricity—production: 30 million kWh (1995) Electricity—consumption per capita: 173 kWh (1995) Agriculture—products: copra coconuts cocoa coffee taro yams coconuts fruits vegetables; fish beef Exports: total value: $30 million (f.o.b. 1996) commodities: copra beef cocoa timber coffee partners: Japan 28% Spain 21% Germany 14% UK 7% Cote d'Ivoire 7% Australia New Caledonia (1996 est.) Imports: total value: $97 million (f.o.b. 1996) commodities: machines and vehicles food and beverages basic manufactures raw materials and fuels chemicals partners: Japan 47% Australia 23% Singapore 8% New Zealand 6% France 3% Fiji (1996 est.) Debt—external: $63 million (1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA $9.6 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.); $3.1 million from NZ (FY95/96) Currency: 1 vatu (VT) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: vatu (VT) per US$1—124.56 (January 1998) 115.87 (1997) 111.72 (1996) 112.11 (1995) 116.41 (1994) 121.58 (1993) Fiscal year: calendar year ________People Edit This Population: 185 204 (July 1998 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 39% (male 36 865; female 35 576) 15-64 years: 58% (male 55 066; female 52 142) 65 years and over: 3% (male 3 013; female 2 542) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 2.07% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 29.18 births/1 000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 8.44 deaths/1 000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1 000 population (1998 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: 1.19 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 61.27 deaths/1 000 live births (1998 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61 years male: 59.02 years female: 63.07 years (1998 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.74 children born/woman (1998 est.) Nationality: noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural) adjective: Ni-Vanuatu Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 53% male: 57% female: 48% (1979 est.) ::::::::Ambae island Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Ambae Island is 39 km long. Th highest point of the island is Mt Lombenben, at 1496 meter, a semi-active volcano. There are alos a few volcanic lakes in the center of the island. The island is covered by thick forest and there are several villages spread over the islands, some offer facilities for tourists. Your best bet for accommodation is probably Tausala guesthouse near the Longana airport. __________Getting There Edit This Ambae has two airports called Longana Airport and Walaha Airport. There are connections to most of the other bigger islands. :::::::Ambrym Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Ambrym'smain attraction lies in the fact that it is one of the few places on earth where you can see active lava lakes. On a clear day, it is possible to see both Benbow and Marum's lava lakes. The island is barren; the acid rain prevents vegetation growing in many areas. Grade-taking ceremonies are also interesting to watch. During these events, dances are organized. One of the most striking is the Rom dance, which takes place in July or August every year. Accommodation can be found at Milee Sea bungalow and Craig Cove or in Solomon Douglas Guesthouse and Vat-Mer bungalows in the north. Vanair (domestic) services Ambrym 5 times a week. There are two airports, Craig Cove and Ulei. :::::::Banks and torres islands Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Banks and Torres are the northernmost islands and have the highest rainfall of the archipelago. The main islands of Banks islands are volcanic in origin with active volcanoes on Gaua and Vanua Lava islands. The main islands in the Banks group are Vanua Lava, with 1400 inhabitants, and Mota Lava to the south, with great white sandy beaches. Gaua is interesting for its with an active volcano, Mt Garet (797m), which towers over a crater lake in the interior. The Torres group to the far north includes six main islands, which are by far the most remote of the archipelago. ::::::::::Efate Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Port Vila at sunrise Port Vila at sunrise Jennifer Farthing Efate is the main island of Vanuatu. The capital Port Vila is located on the island, and even if you want to head for other islands, this should be your first stop. This is where you arrange your trip. Port Vila boasts one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the world. The town offers excellent restaurants, duty free shopping, and a colorful local market. _______Practical Information Edit This Pacific Wash & Dry For all your laundry needs! A load of Wash 400 Vatu ($4) A load to Dry 400 Vatu ($4) Situated in the middle of Port Vila (Opposite The Sebel Hotel, Ballande Centre D Dock) Open from 7am to 6pm Monday to Sunday though they will stay later if organised. :::::::Epi island Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Epi has white sandy coves, many white and black sand beaches, and inshore reefs. Great for a tranquil holiday. The interior is rugged due to recent volcanic activity and covered with lush rainforest. There are several small lakes where you can fish and swim. Epi offers basic bungalow-style accommodation at Paradise Sunset Bungalows and at the Epi Island Beach Guesthouse. :::::::::Espiritu santo Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Espiritu Santo is the largest island of Vanuatu and is the best place to experience the traditional culture of the islands. For scuba divers, Espiritu Santo is one of the best places to go, also because of the shipwrecks you find here that date from WW II. President Coolidge is the largest intact shipwreck accessible to divers in the world. The destroyer USS Tucker lies outside the channel. Vatthe Conservation Area is one of Santo's highlights for nature walks and bird watching. Luganville, the capital, is the only other town of reasonable size outside Port Vila. Although facilities are not as diverse as Vila, travellers will find their basic needs well catered for. There are numerous small restaurants and coffee shops, a sports club, several dive shops, hotels, grocery and produce stores along the lengthy main street. :::::::::Pentecost Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo Pentecost is famous for the land diving ritual that celebrates the yam harvest. The ritual of the Nagol (or N'gol) has been practiced for centuries. The land diving takes place during April, May and the first week of June. The island doens't offer a lot of choice when it comes to accommodation. The only place to stay is the Nagol Bungalows in Bay Homo. There is a small hospital on the island in Melsisi and clinics and aidposts are located on several villages around the island. There are two airfields and three flights a week to both airfields from Port Vila and Santo (via Longana and Walaha, both on Krk island). ::::::Tanna Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Tanna is crazy. Its the southernmost island of vanuatu and very disconnected from the world. Well, thats the case from most of vanuatu other than pt vila and espiritu santo. The coolest thing about the place is the volcano. You can go to the port, and talk to islanders in the village near the yacht club and they will take you up to the volcano. Its cheap, like $5 USA. If you have been to other active volcanoes (ie. Hawaii) this is not the same. You basically ride in the back of an old pickup truck up to the volcano, hike up the side of it and sit and watch. Some other yachties had told us that last year a Chinese lady got hit with a rock that came out during a medium danger day. She was impaled and died instantly. So the locals told us it was a light activity day, which was accurate. Anyhow, my friends and I hiked up to the top and are watching this thing spit up molten rocks about every 2-3 minutes then one of the big ones (every 15 mins) comes up and throws a rock about 50 feet from us (we are probably 200-300 meters from the center). Before then we were just joking about the danger, but when that happens we all totally freak out and my friend Todd is running away. Still later that evening I ran across the bowl of the crater with Matt. Its just insane being out there. If you are anywhere near you have to go. These people there are crazy; they have a religion based on a GI from wwII named john frum, as in john from america. they think that sometime this dude is going to return to the island with ships filled with treasure. Well, i guess it is no more valid than scientology. |