South America Capitals Quiz
Can you match South American countries with their capitals?
🇻🇺 Vanuatu
Capital: Port Vila
Port Vila – Vanuatu’s national capital on the island of Efate.
Port Vila is the capital and main administrative and commercial center of Vanuatu. Located on Efate Island, it developed during the colonial period when the archipelago was known as the New Hebrides and jointly administered by Britain and France. Since independence in 1980, Port Vila has served as the seat of the national government, Parliament, diplomatic missions, businesses, cultural institutions, and major transport services.
đź“ś Timeline of Port Vila
1606: Portuguese navigator Pedro Fernández de Quirós, sailing in the service of Spain, reached islands in what is now Vanuatu, including Espiritu Santo. This early European contact occurred in northern Vanuatu rather than at Port Vila.
1774: British navigator James Cook visited the archipelago and gave it the European name New Hebrides.
1887: Britain and France established a Joint Naval Commission to exercise authority over their nationals in the New Hebrides.
1906: Britain and France established the Anglo-French Condominium, creating a system of joint colonial administration. Port Vila developed as the principal administrative center.
1914: Britain and France signed a further protocol governing the Condominium. The revised arrangements later came into force in 1922.
1980: Vanuatu became independent on July 30, with Port Vila continuing as the capital of the newly sovereign republic.
2024: A powerful earthquake struck near Efate on December 17, causing severe damage in Port Vila, including its central business district and public infrastructure.
2026: Port Vila remained the national capital while reconstruction and redevelopment of the earthquake-damaged central business district continued.
đź“Š Quick Stats
National Capital Since
1980
Port Vila was already an administrative center during the colonial period and continued as the capital after independence.
Languages
Bislama, English, French
Currency
Vanuatu Vatu (VUV)
Geography
Located on Efate Island in Shefa Province
Time Zone
Vanuatu Time (VUT), UTC+11
Calling Code
+678
Driving Side
Right-hand traffic
🏛️ Iconic Landmarks
Parliament House
The meeting place of the Parliament of Vanuatu in Port Vila and one of the main national government sites in the capital.
Vanuatu Cultural Centre and National Museum
A national institution in Port Vila devoted to preserving and documenting Vanuatu’s languages, oral traditions, archaeology, historical records, artifacts, and customary knowledge.
Port Vila Market
A central market where vendors from Efate and other parts of Vanuatu sell produce, prepared foods, flowers, and locally made goods.
Port Vila remains Vanuatu’s national capital and main center of government, commerce, diplomacy, transport, and cultural institutions while reconstruction continues following the 2024 earthquake.
