Provinces of Vanuatu

Vanuatu is divided into six provinces. It has been divided this way since 1994.

Province Capital main islands Land Area
(km²)
Population
Census 1999
Malampa Lakatoro Ambrym, Malakula, Paama 2,779 32,705
Penama Longana Pentecost Island, Ambae, Maéwo 1,198 26,646
Sanma Luganville Santo, Malo 4,248 36,084
Shefa Port Vila Efate, Shepherd Islands 1,455 54,439
Tafea Isangel Tanna, Aniwa, Futuna, Erromango, Anatom 1,628 29,047
Torba Sola Banks and Torres Islands 882 7,757
Vanuatu Port Vila   12,189 186,678
Provinces of Vanuatu

Municipalities

The provinces are divided into municipalities (usually consisting of an individual island) headed by a council and a mayor elected from among the members of the council.

Island Regions (historical)

From 1985 to 1994 Vanuatu was divided into eleven island regions:

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 Taféa 1,628 29,047
New Hebrides Port Vila   12,189 186,678

Districts (historical)

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

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

References