Luganville
Encyclopedia
Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu....
, is the second largest city in Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...
. The population is 13,167.
Luganville is one of Vanuatu's busiest ports, especially as a transshipment
Transshipment
Transshipment or Transhipment is the shipment of goods or containers to an intermediate destination, and then from there to yet another destination....
point for copra
Copra
Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock.-Production:...
and cacao. Segond Channel, the body of water off the coast of Luganville behind Aore Island, provides the town with an excellent sheltered harbour.
The main street that runs through Luganville contains most of the commercial businesses and is very wide as a result of the American base commander insisting that 4 trucks could be driven along the road. Small side streets and outlying roads cater for the residential zones. The main street contains the port at one end, and the markets and municipal council building at the other end. In the centre there are two main types of stores; tourist boutiques, and all-in-one stores, best described as a cross between a supermarket and a hardware store.
Broadband internet became available to Luganville in late 2006.
The current population of Luganville is quite diverse. It comprises a vast majority of indigenous Ni-Vanuatu, also it has a small population of Chinese and European descendants. Some of the locals, although residing in Luganville, come from other parts of Santo or different islands within Vanuatu.
Luganville has changed with the expansion of businesses and shops in the town. However critics have claimed that Luganville has a great potential and should have developed more with its economic activities since Vanuatu had gained its Independence out from Great Britain and France in 1980.
Luganville has the second largest hospital in Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...
called Northern District Hospital. The hospital provides services to residents in Luganville and people in rural parts of Santo. Additionally the hospital is also serving people in other northern islands of Vanuatu such as Banks, etc. The hospital often however receives under funding from the central Government. It often relies on aid from overseas countries notably Australia, New Zealand, and China.
The transportation in Luganville has changed dramatically and improved immensely. There are considerable numbers of taxis, buses, and public transport trucks providing service in and around town.
There are four (4) banks in Luganville, namely National Bank of Vanuatu , ANZ , Westpac , and BRED Bank .
Luganville has a main market place in town - and several small markets around town - which are popular with inexpensive local foods, fruits, vegetables and drinks. Luganville has a police station located in the centre of town. There are a small number of legal firms and real estate agencies in town.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
about 40,000 United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
military personnel were stationed in Luganville and it is estimated the between 400,000 and 500,000 military personnel took R & R on the island, operating 3 bomber airfields, a huge wharf and a nearby drydock. This era in Luganville's history is evident in the military-constructed Quonset hut
Quonset hut
A Quonset hut is a lightweight prefabricated structure of corrugated galvanized steel having a semicircular cross section. The design was based on the Nissen hut developed by the British during World War I...
s still scattered around town.