Espiritu Santo

Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation and archipelago of Vanuatu, which was formerly known as the New Hebrides. It covers an area of 3,955.5 km² (1,527.2 sq mi). Although another island, Efate, where the capital city Port Vila is located, has more people, Espiritu Santo is the biggest in size. As of 2020, about 37,328 people lived on Espiritu Santo. The only real town on the island is Luganville.

History

Early European exploration

In 1606, a group of three ships led by a Portuguese explorer named Pedro Fernandes de Queirós landed on an island. He named the land "La Austrialia del Espíritu Santo" because he believed he had found a large southern continent. The local chief tried to chase them away, which led to a fight. The ships stayed for a month before leaving to explore more of the coastline.

European settlement

During the 1800s, people from Australia, Britain, France, and Germany began settling in the area. In 1878, the United Kingdom and France agreed to share control of the islands. Later, a group declared a small area independent, but this did not last long.

World War II

During World War II, the island became an important base for American forces. They built airfields and a harbor to support their operations. After the war, some of the old military equipment and ships became popular spots for tourists, especially for scuba diving.

1980s rebellion

In 1980, as the islands were becoming independent from colonial rule, a group on Espiritu Santo tried to declare their own independent republic. However, this attempt was unsuccessful, and the island remained part of Vanuatu.

Geography

Espiritu Santo is part of the Vanuatu archipelago in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is located in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu. The town of Luganville is on the southeast coast of Espiritu Santo and is the second-largest settlement in Vanuatu and the provincial capital. Roads extend north and west from Luganville, but most of the island is far from these roads.

Around Espiritu Santo are many small islands and islets, including Dany Island, Araki, Elephant Island, Sakao, Lataroa, Lataro, Thion, Malohu, Malwepe, Malvapevu, Malparavu, Maltinerava, Oyster Island, Tangoa, and Bokissa. The highest peak in Vanuatu is Mount Tabwemasana, which stands at 1,879 metres (6,165 ft) in the west-central part of Espiritu Santo.

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Santo was 37,328 people, which is about 13% of the total population of Vanuatu. The island of Efate, where the capital city Port Vila is located, has more people with 50,340 individuals, making up 17% of the country's population.

Most people on Santo are Christians, with the largest groups belonging to the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Church of Melanesia (Anglican). Other churches such as the Apostolic Church, the Church of Christ, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church also have followers. In some areas like Big Bay and South Santo, people follow older customs and are called "heathen", which in Vanuatu simply means they have not adopted Christianity. There is also a group called the Nagriamel that follows modern customary beliefs.

Culture

Espiritu Santo is a beautiful place for visitors, especially those who love diving. The island has many old shipwrecks and reefs to explore under the water. One popular spot is Champagne Beach, known for its white sand and clear blue waters. The western side of the island has many caves to discover, and big cruise ships often visit Luganville, the main town.

The people of Espiritu Santo speak over 30 different languages. They make a living by farming crops like copra, cocoa beans, kava, and peanuts, as well as by fishing and welcoming tourists. Traditional customs and leaders, called chiefs, are very important to the local communities.

The island faces health challenges, such as malaria and tuberculosis. Many people see a witch doctor or visit clinics for help. Kava is a popular drink there, though more adults are now drinking alcohol. This change has led to more problems, including violence toward women and conflicts between groups.

Sports

In September 1998, Espiritu Santo hosted the Melanesia Cup soccer tournament.

Flora and fauna

Espiritu Santo is home to many special birds found only in Vanuatu, like the Santo mountain starling, which is an endangered species living only on this island. Two protected areas have been created to help protect the island's plants and animals: the Loru Conservation Area on the east coast and the Vatthe Conservation area near Big Bay in the north.

The Loru Rainforest Protected Area is located in the lowland rainforests of Espiritu Santo. Founded in 1993 by Chief Caleb Ser, this 220-hectare reserve is rich with birds, bats, plants, and marine life along a 2 km stretch of reef. The tree Metrosideros tabwemasanaensis grows only in the high mountain forests on Mount Tabwemasana.

Economy and infrastructure

Luganville is the only real town on Espiritu Santo, but the island has many small villages. From Luganville, three main roads go out in different directions. One road goes west along the south coast, another goes along the southern and eastern coasts, and the third goes west to the mountains and then north to Big Bay. There is an international airport just a short distance east of Luganville. The island has several rivers, with the Sarakata River being the largest, flowing through Luganville.

Many people on Espiritu Santo grow their own food through farming. They have gardens with vegetables, chickens, and pigs. They grow taro and yams, which are important foods there. The island also has cattle farms, and it sends a lot of beef to Japan, Australia, and other places in the Pacific. Besides beef, people also enjoy foods like tinned fish, rice, sweet pineapples, mangoes, and special local foods such as coconut crab. There is a market in Luganville where people can buy fresh foods and local crafts, and small shops sell groceries and other items.