Port Vila

Port Vila, commonly known as “Vila,” serves as the dynamic capital and largest city of Vanuatu, an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. Port Vila, on the island of Efate, serves as the national commercial and administrative hub. With a population of 49,034, the city accounted for 16.3% of Vanuatu’s total population according to the 2020 census. Although this energetic city has great historical and cultural value, it also acts as the hub of activity.

Considered the main harbor of Vanuatu, Port Vila is located on the southern coast of Efate in Shefa Province. With Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) helping to enable international travel and connectivity, the area acts as a hub for trade and industry. A major change in the governance history of the city marks the election of Jenny Regenvanu from the Land and Justice Party as the first female mayor in August 2024: Acting as the Green Confederation’s deputy, Marie Louise Milne improves this leadership by reflecting the political climate of the city forward-looking.

Melanesian people have been living in the area that is now known as Port Vila for millennia. Revealing a burial site with 25 tombs including skeletons from the Lapita culture, which dates back to the 13th century BC, the archaeological expedition at Teouma in 2004 gave important new perspectives on the rich legacy of the area. Respected adventurer James Cook first mapped the island of Efate in 1774 under the name Sandwich Island. Cook’s expedition did not make landfall, but they saw the island’s suitability for European colonizing.

Referred to as the New Hebrides, the islands underwent a change in European impact from British to French rule in the late 19th century. French citizen Ferdinand Chevillard had a major impact on this change by acquiring land around Port Vila, which finally grew to be the municipality of Franceville. Although it limited eligibility for holding office, this momentarily existing independent entity was important for implementing universal suffrage.

In 1906, the territory’s government changed to become an Anglo-French Condominium, marking a unique period of French and British government cooperative leadership. Port Vila’s strategic importance in the area was reinforced in the framework of World War II when it served as an airbase for American and Australian troops.

Port Vila’s economy is rather different, with farming and fishing still the main sectors of activity. Particularly in drawing guests from Australia and New Zealand, tourism has grown rather noticeably. The city noted a more than 80,000 visitor influx in 1997. The city’s tax haven classification makes offshore financing an essential part of its economic framework.

Despite its diverse economic activities, Vanuatu, including Port Vila, still depends on foreign aid mostly from Australia and New Zealand. China’s participation in humanitarian projects has been noteworthy recently. Important projects include Australia’s advisory support of Port Vila Central Hospital and New Zealand’s funding in local medical training.

Port Vila has run across several natural difficulties. Two tests of the city’s resilience were a major earthquake in 2002 and a cyclone Uma in 1987. Classed as a category 5 storm, Cyclone Pam caused great damage in March 2015 since its eye wall passed just east of the city. Given these difficulties, Port Vila has constantly concentrated on improving its infrastructure and community.

The city is known as “Vila,” a name derived from the native South Efate language Efil as well as the neighboring Mele-Fila language, Ifira. Ifira mentions a little island inhabited by many traditional landowners situated in Vila Harbor. The rich population of the city and energetic customs show a complicated cultural mosaic.