Vanuatu has been divided into six provinces since 1994. The names in English of all provinces are derived from the initial letters of their constituent islands:

# Province Capital Main islands Land Area
(km2)
Population
Census 2016 [Statistics 1]
1  Malampa Lakatoro Ambrym, Malakula, Paama 2,779 40,928
2  Penama Saratamata Pentecost Island, Ambae, Maéwo 1,198 32,543
3  Sanma Luganville Santo, Malo 4,248 54,184
4  Shefa Port Vila Efate, Shepherd Islands, Epi 1,455 97,602
5  Tafea Isangel Tanna, Aniwa, Futuna, Erromango, Anatom 1,628 37,050
6  Torba Sola Banks and Torres Islands 882 10,161
 Vanuatu Port Vila   12,190 272,459
Provinces of Vanuatu

Municipalities

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The provinces are in turn divided into municipalities headed by a council and a mayor elected from among the members of the council.

In the Tafea Province for example are the following municipalities (council areas):[1]

  • North Erromango
  • South Erromango
  • North Tanna
  • West Tanna
  • Middle Bush Tanna
  • Whitesands
  • South West Tanna
  • South Tanna

The islands of Aniwa, Futuna and Aneityum appear to consist of one municipality each.

Island regions (historical)

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From 1985 to 1994 it was divided into eleven island regions:[citation needed]

Island
Region
Capital part of
current
Province
Land Area
(km2)
Population
Census 1999
or estimate
Ambae & Maéwo Longana Penama 708 14,646
Ambrym Eas Malampa 678 7,787
Banks &Torres Sola Torba 882 7,757
Éfaté Port Vila Shefa 915 50,000
Epi Ringdove Shefa 451 3,000
Malakula Lakatoro Malampa 2,043 23,361
Paama Liro Malampa 58 1,557
Pentecost Loltong Penama 490 12,000
Santo &Malo Luganville Sanma 4,248 36,084
Shepherd Islands Morua Shefa 89 1,439
Taféa Isangel Tafea 1,628 29,047
New Hebrides Port Vila   12,189 186,678

Districts (historical)

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During the Condominium era, specifically from 1968 to 1984 the group was divided into four administrative districts:[citation needed]

District Capital Main Islands Current
Provinces
Land Area
(km2)
Population
Census 1999
Southern District
(Tanna)
Lénakel Tanna, Aniwa, Futuna, Erromango, Anatom Tafea 1,628 29,047
Central District 1
(Efaté)
Port Vila Efate, Epi, Shepherd Islands Shefa 1,455 54,439
Central District 2
(Malékoula)
Lamap Ambrym, Malakula, Paama, Pentecôte Malampa, Penama (part) 3,269 44,705
Northern District
(Santo)
Luganville Santo, Malo, Banks and Torres Islands, Aoba, Maewo Sanma, Torba, Penama (part) 5,838 58,487
Vanuatu Port Vila     12,189 186,678

Districts (1950)

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In the 1950s, districts appeared to denote the finest administrative level, finer than the current municipalities or council areas, but above the village level. The island of Tanna was subdivided into 12 such districts, in 1952:[2]

  • District Sud (ou de Kwamera)
  • District de Green PointDistrict Sud-Ouest
  • District de Lenakel
  • District Nord-Ouest
  • District de Green Hill et de Launalang
  • District du Centre Nord
  • District du Centre Brousse
  • District de Loanvialu
  • District de Waesisi
  • District de White Sands

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census & Surveys". Vanuatu National Statistics Office. Archived from the original on 2013-05-01. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
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