7 Facts About Vanuatu

Vanuatu officially the Republic of Vanuatu (French: République de Vanuatu; Bislama: Ripablik blong Vanuatu), is an island country located in the South Pacific Ocean.

Vanuatu's islands were notorious for cannibals, and the first British missionaries who arrived in 1839 were killed and eaten on Erromango, now known as Erromango. According to anthropologists, the last cannibal killing on Vanuatu occurred in 1969. While cannibalism is no longer practised in Vanuatu, traditional cooking methods are still passed down through generations. According to reports, the average cooking time for a human is 3 to 5 hours.

Tanna Island has a tribe that worships Prince Philip. The Prince Philip Movement, which began with a visit to Vanuatu by the Queen and Duke in 1974, worships Prince Philip, believing he is a descendant of a spiritual ancestor from Tanna. During the 1974 visit, a war canoe paddler who greeted the royal yacht Britannia in Port Vila became convinced that Prince Philip was the "true messiah," and thus began the movement, which now has its own Facebook page. Prince Philip has since exchanged gifts with the tribe, including a signed portrait.

Bungee jumping was invented in Vanuatu. When the yam crop begins to emerge in early April on the small Vanuatu island of Pentecost, locals construct 20-30m tall wooden towers. Until the end of May, village boys and men participate in the Nanggol ritual, diving from rickety wooden structures with nothing but vines tied around their ankles. The tradition, which is considered the forerunner to bungee jumping, has been documented by many TV and film producers, including National Geographic.

It is the world's fourth happiest country. Every summer, the Happy Planet Index ranks 140 destinations worldwide based on what matters most: long-term happiness for all. Instead of focusing on GDP, this annual report assesses how well nations are achieving long, happy, and sustainable lives. It may appear complicated, but it is not. What it all boils down to is that Vanuatu is the world's fourth happiest destination, trailing only Costa Rica, Mexico, and Colombia.

Vanuatu is home to one of the most sought-after dive sites in the world. Vanuatu diving is best known for The President Coolidge, a 650-foot shipwrecked luxury liner off the coast of Espiritu Santo. The ship, which also served as a troop ship during WWII, sank in 1942 after colliding with two American mines in Santo Harbour.

Vanuatu is home to the world's most accessible volcano. Mount Yasur, located on Tanna Island, is the world's most accessible active volcano. This incredible natural attraction is a must-see for any visitor to Vanuatu. As you approach the glowing rim of this mountain of fiery molten rock, you'll pass through steaming, black fields of ash and hear the eerie rumble of the volcano.