Vanuatu

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Vanuatu

Van·ua·tu

(vän′wä-to͞o′, vä′no͞o-ä′to͞o)

An island country of the southern Pacific Ocean east of northern Australia. Inhabited primarily by Melanesian peoples, the islands were sighted by the Portuguese in 1606 and explored by Capt. James Cook, who named them "New Hebrides," in 1774. Under joint French and British control after 1906, New Hebrides achieved independence as Vanuatu in 1980. Port Vila, on Efate Island, is the capital.

Van′ua·tu′an adj. & n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Vanuatu

(ˈvænuːˌætuː)

(Placename) a republic comprising a group of islands in the W Pacific, W of Fiji: a condominium under Anglo-French joint rule from 1906; attained partial autonomy in 1978 and full independence in 1980 as a member of the Commonwealth. Its economy is based chiefly on copra. Official languages: Bislama; French; English. Religion: Christian majority. Currency: vatu. Capital: Vila (on Efate). Pop: 261 565 (2013 est). Area: about 14 760 sq km (5700 sq miles). Official name: Republic of Vanuatu Former name (until 1980): New Hebrides

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Va•nu•a•tu

(ˌvɑ nuˈɑ tu)

n.

a republic consisting of a group of islands in the SW Pacific, W of Fiji: formerly under joint British and French administration; gained independence in 1980. 189,036; ab. 4707 sq. mi. (12,190 sq. km). Cap.: Vila. Formerly, New Hebrides.

Va`nu•a′tu•an, adj., n.

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Noun

Vanuatu - a volcanic island republic in Melanesia; independent since 1980

New Hebrides, Republic of Vanuatu

Melanesia - the islands in the southwestern part of Oceania

capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila, Vila - capital of Vanuatu

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Vanuatu

Vanuatu

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References in periodicals archive ?

The languages of the Samoans, Vanuatuans, and Filipino marine industry workers and missionaries who came to colonial era Torres Strait do not feature this form for outrigger, which in any case was recorded in the 19th century well before their arrival.

Wangga: The Linguistic and Typological Evidence for the Sources of the Outrigger Canoes of Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula

Many locals rode out the cyclone in larger buildings such as schools and churches -- a practice that relief groups have impressed upon Vanuatuans as a life-saving measure during storms.