VANUATU

VANUATU.

Tanna and Aniwa Islands map, and Yasur volcano.
Eighth stamp in a set of 15, issued on 30.07.1980 (issue in French language).
Face value: 40 New Hebrides francs.
Printing: Offset lithography.

Catalogues
- Michel No. 581.
- Scott No. 287a.
- StampWorld No. 21.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 294F.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 590.

Tanna Island is 40 km (25 mi) long and 19 km (11.8 mi) wide, with a total area of ​​ 550 km² (210 sq mi). Its population is about 30,000 inhabitants, which makes it one of the most populated islands in Vanuatu. The administrative capital of the island is Isangel, on the western coast. Its maximum height is Mount Tukosmera of 1,084 m (3,556 ft). Mount Yasur, an active volcano 361 m (1,184 ft) high, is located on the southeast coast. James Cook was the first European to visit the island, inhabited by Melanesians, in August 1774, attracted by the luminosity of the volcano. In the 19th century, merchants and missionaries (mainly Presbyterians) and some whaling ships arrived. There is an airport to the northwest of the island.

Aniwa is a small 8 km² (3 sq mi) coral atoll that rises just 42 m (138 ft) above sea level, located about 24 km (15 mi) northeast of Tanna Island. To the northwest is the Itcharo (Tiaro) lagoon, open to the sea. It also has a small airport. Its population is about 350 inhabitants. Its first settlers came from Samoa, and were not Melanesians as in other islands of Vanuatu.