Second meeting on Dugong conservation and management, Bangkok, Thailand, 15-18th May 2006 : Vanuatu country report

The Vanuatu archipelago consists of a Y-shaped chain of 80 islands between the latitudes 13-20’S and longitudes 166-170’ E. The total land area is 12,190 km’. Most islands are mountainous and rugged, but a number of low-lying islands are present. The population of Vanuatu is about 140,000 with around 80% leading a traditional way of life. In this shifting agriculture provides most food and is supplemented by hunting and gathering from reef, river and rainforest. About 15,000 people live in the capital, Port Vila, on Efate island.