Efate

Infobox Islands
name =Efate


image caption =Map of Efate
locator

native name =
native name link =
location=Pacific Ocean
coordinates=coord|16.69|S|168.36|E
archipelago = Vanuatu
area =899.5 km²
highest mount =?
elevation =647 m
country =Vanuatu
country admin divisions title =Province
country admin divisions =Shefa Province
country largest city =Port Vila
country largest city population = 38,000
population =50,000
population as of =
density =55.6
ethnic groups =

Located at 16.69° S and 168.36° E in the Pacific Ocean, Efate is an island in The Republic of Vanuatu (Shefa Province). It is also known as Île Vate. It is the most populous (approx. 50,000) island in Vanuatu; in terms of land area (899.5 km²) Efate is Vanuatu's third largest island. Most inhabitants of Efate live in Port Vila, the national capital. It has a maximum height of 647 m.

During World War II, Efate served an important role as a United States military base.

Politics

Efate is governed by both the Port Vila Municipality and the Shefa Provincial Council, whose governance is the town limits of Port Vila only, and rural Efate and the outer Efate Islands, respectively.

Small Islands off Efate

North of Efate are small islands called Eratoka (Hat) Island, Lelepa, Nguna, Pele and Emao. Eratoka (Hat) Island is a small island that, when seen from a distance looks like a floppy hat. This is where the legendary [http://www.vanuatuculture.org/vchss/20060915_roimata-tour.shtml Chief Roi Mata] , along with his 20 wives, were buried alive. [J. Maarten Troost, "Getting Stoned with Savages", Broadway Books, 2006 (ISBN 0-7679-2199-2).] Nguna, Pele and Emao are stratovolcanoes, which may form the rim of a volcanic caldera to their north. [VNUM|0507-081]

Survivor

Efate was the location for the US , the Australian Celebrity Survivor and the French Koh Lanta. Much of the Australian "Survivor: Vanuatu" was filmed approximately 30 minutes from Port Vila near Mangililu and Gideon’s Landing, the latter of which is now a commonly visited tourist attraction.

Tourism

The capital of Port Vila is the hub of tourism in Vanuatu receiving approximately 60 000 tourists annually by both air transport, cruise ships and the yachting community. Due to the English and French influence both types of cuisine are readily available in the capital. Budget eateries include the scattered Chinese eateries across Vila and the Mummas Market located downtown. Outside of Port Vila a more rustic destination awaits, with most people living a traditional lifestyle: cooking island food or 'aelan kakae', going to tend their gardens daily as subsistence agriculture is the dominant economy in Vanuatu and swimming at the beach.

Port Vila services the domestic carrier Air Vanuatu which services the outer islands of Vanuatu. Popular destinations such as Tanna and Santo can be reached daily from Port Vila, while more remote locations can be reached on a less regular basis.

Efate offers a range of tourism attractions and activities including Mele Cascades, Eton Beach, Tanalilui Road Markets, [http://www.vanuatuculture.org/vchss/20060915_roimata-tour.shtml Roi Mata Tour] , Round Island Tour, Buggy Fun Rental, Diving and Sunset Cruises.

References

External links

* [http://www.linguistics.unimelb.edu.au/thieberger/vanlangs/EFATE.HTM Languages of Efate] - Bibliography of the island's indigenous languages