Provinces of Vanuatu


Vanuatu has been divided into six provinces since 1994. The names in English of all provinces are derived from the initial letters of their constituent islands:
ProvinceCapitalMain islandsLand Area
Population
Census 2016
LakatoroAmbrym, Malakula, Paama2,77940,928
SaratamataPentecost Island, Ambae, Maéwo1,19832,543
LuganvilleSanto, Malo4,24854,184
Port VilaEfate, Shepherd Islands, Epi1,45597,602
IsangelTanna, Aniwa, Futuna, Erromango, Anatom1,62837,050
TorbaSolaBanks and Torres Islands88210,161
Port Vila 12,190272,459

Municipalities

The provinces are in turn divided into municipalities headed by a council and a mayor elected from among the members of the council.
In the Tafea Province for example are the following municipalities :
The islands of Aniwa, Futuna and Aneityum appear to consist of one municipality each.

Island regions (historical)

From 1985 to 1994 it was divided into eleven island regions:
Island
Region		Capitalpart of
current
Province		Land Area
Population
Census 1999
or estimate
Ambae & MaéwoLonganaPenama70814,646
AmbrymEasMalampa6787,787
Banks &TorresSolaTorba8827,757
ÉfatéPort VilaShefa91550,000
EpiRingdoveShefa4513,000
MalakulaLakatoroMalampa2,04323,361
PaamaLiroMalampa581,557
PentecostLoltongPenama49012,000
Santo &MaloLuganvilleSanma4,24836,084
Shepherd IslandsMoruaShefa891,439
TaféaIsangelTafea1,62829,047
New HebridesPort Vila 12,189186,678

Districts (historical)

During the Condominium era, specifically from 1968 to 1984 the group was divided into four administrative districts:
DistrictCapitalMain IslandsCurrent
Provinces		Land Area
Population
Census 1999
Southern District
LénakelTanna, Aniwa, Futuna, Erromango, AnatomTafea1,62829,047
Central District 1
Port VilaEfate, Epi, Shepherd IslandsShefa1,45554,439
Central District 2
LamapAmbrym, Malakula, Paama, PentecôteMalampa, Penama 3,26944,705
Northern District
LuganvilleSanto, Malo, Banks and Torres Islands, Aoba, MaewoSanma, Torba, Penama 5,83858,487
VanuatuPort Vila 12,189186,678

Districts (1950)

In the 1950's, districts appeared to denote the finest administrative level, finer than the current municipalities or council areas, but above the village level. The island of Tanna was subdivided into 12 such districts, in 1952: