Weather
Tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April.
Terrain
Mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains.
Currency
Vatu (VUV)
Languages
three official languages: English, French, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama), plus more than 100 local languages
Religion
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)
Ethnic groups
indigenous Melanesian 98%, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, other Pacific Islanders
History
The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980.
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