The flag was hoisted upon independence from France and Britain, on July 30, 1980. Black is for the soil and the people, green for vegetation, and red for local religious traditions such as the sacrifice of pigs. On the triangle are two crossed branches and a full-round pig's tusk, a holy symbol. The horizontal "Y" is for peace and Christianity.

Vanuatu Official name: Ripablik blong Vanuatu (Bislama); République de Vanuatu (French); Republic of Vanuatu (English). Form of government: republic with a single legislative house (Parliament [52]). Chief of state: President. Population (1998): 182,000. Population projection: (2000) 192,000; (2010) 245,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1997): 26.8 (world avg. 15.7). Land use (1994): forested 75.0%; meadows and pastures 2.0%; agricultural 11.8%; other 11.2%. Gross national product (at current market prices; 1996): U.S.$224,000,000 (U.S.$1,290 per capita).

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