Vanuatu
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.
There are currently no known threats to travelers or expatriate residents in Vanuatu, and while petty crimes sometimes occur, violent crimes are rare. Meanwhile, Vanuatu has been spared the type of unrest that has befallen neighboring countries such as the Solomon Islands or Fiji.
Edward Natapei became prime minister in April 2001, when his predecessor Barak Tame Sope lost a vote of no confidence in the parliament. Natapei is head of the Vanua'aku Party, the largest in the parliament. He has promised to start an inquiry into Sope's dealings with an Asian businessman, who was given letters of credit worth millions of US dollars.
Father John Bani was elected President of the Republic and Head of State in March 24, 1999. The President is elected for a 5-year term by secret ballot by an electoral college comprising Parliament and the Presidents of the country's six Provincial Governments.
Vanuatu lies in the South Pacific cyclonic trajectory, and is vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and sudden tidal movements. The Pacific Cyclone season extends from November through March.
