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Where to find Vanuatu in the Pacific Region
Vanuatu is a tropical paradise located in the South Pacific. This is the southern part of the Pacific Ocean, south of Equator. This area of the Pacific Ocean is also known geographically as Oceania. It hosts some of the most popular holiday destinations, including Vanuatu, Solomons, Fiji, Nauru, and New Caledonia.
South Pacific Regions
South Pacific is part of the larger Indo-Pacific Region. There are three regions in Indo Pacific - Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.
The map of the three main South Pacific regions, which are Micronesia, Melanesia
and Polynesia. Vanuatu belongs to Melanesian group of islands.
The largest of these three regions is Polynesia, which encapsulates Hawaii on the northern part of Equator, Easter islands and Pitcairn to the east, New Zealand on the south side, and Samoa, Tonga and Cook islands in the middle.
Micronesia is the smallest of the three regions, where Marshall Islands, Marianas, Guam and Palau belong.
Vanuatu is part of Melanesia region, which also includes New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guniea and Bismarck Islands.
South Pacific war theatre
In the WWII South Pacific region was one of the major theatres, where Allied forces fought war against Japan. The region is litterred with shipwrecks, many of whom are now used as major diving sites. One of the best known diving sites is that of SS President Coolidge, located in Vanuatu off Espiritu Santo Island. It's one of the largest and most accessible shipwrecks in the world.
The Oceania Region includes Australia, Malay Archipelago, as well as sub-regions of
Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.
(Click on the above image for an enlarged map, which opens in a new window.)
Tales of the South Pacific
One of the earliest mentiones of South Pacific comes from Tales of the South Pacific, by James A. Michener. This Pulitzer Prize winning book was written in 1946 and published in 1947 as a collection of World War II stories. Michener collected these anecdotes and observations while serving as US Navy liutenant commander on the island of Espiritu Santo, in Vanuatu.
South Pacific musical
South Pacific is also known as popular 1949 musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein from 1949, adapted into film in 1958. The musical is based on James Michener book and it became an immediate hit on Broadway, with nearly 2000 performances. It won 10 Tony Awards.
"Survivor" in South Pacific
The 23rd season of the television series "Survivor" was filmed on the two main islands of Samoa, and televised September through to December 2011.
However, earlier in September 2004, the 9th season of "Survivor" was filmed in Vanuatu. It was titled Survivor: Vanuatu - Islands of Fire. The group of 18 contestants were divided into two, male and female tribes. The male tribe was called Lopevi, while female tribe was named Mount Yasur, after the volcano on Tanna Island.
Tourist friendly places
As part of the South Pacific, Vanuatu islands are amongst the most tourist friendly places in the world. You will find a beautiful blend of cultures here - Chinese, French, English, and of course Melanesian culture. Combine that with Melanesian kastom (traditional culture), beautiful land, rich flora and fauna, and you have the making of a great and popular holiday and travel destination.
Holiday information about Vanuatu