New Hebrides

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Historical archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean

The New Hebrides was a Condominium in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising the islands of the present-day nation of Vanuatu. The archipelago was jointly administered by the United Kingdom and France from 1906 until its independence in 1980.

History

The islands were first inhabited by Melanesian peoples. European contact began in the 17th century with the arrival of Spanish explorers. The name "New Hebrides" was given by the British explorer James Cook in 1774, after the Hebrides islands in Scotland.

In the late 19th century, both the United Kingdom and France claimed parts of the archipelago. To avoid conflict, the two nations agreed to administer the islands jointly, establishing the Anglo-French Joint Naval Commission in 1887. This arrangement was formalized in 1906 with the creation of the New Hebrides Condominium.

Administration

The Condominium was unique in that it had two separate governmental systems operating in parallel. There were separate British and French administrations, each with its own police force, courts, and other institutions. The two systems were overseen by a joint court and a condominium council.

Independence

The movement for independence began to gain momentum in the 1970s. On 30 July 1980, the New Hebrides gained independence and became the Republic of Vanuatu.

Geography

The New Hebrides archipelago consists of approximately 83 islands, with the largest being Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate. The capital, Port Vila, is located on the island of Efate.

Economy

The economy of the New Hebrides was primarily based on agriculture, with copra, cocoa, and coffee being the main exports. There was also a significant presence of British and French plantations.

Culture

The culture of the New Hebrides was a blend of Melanesian traditions and European influences. The official languages were Bislama, French, and English.

Related Pages

• Vanuatu
• James Cook
• Melanesia
• Condominium
• Port Vila
• Espiritu Santo
• Malakula
• Efate