Luganville

Luganville is the second largest city in the Republic of Vanuatu and is located on the island of Espiritu Santo. The population is 10,738.

Luganville is one of Vanuatu's busiest ports, especially as a transshipment point for copra and cacao. Segond Channel, the body of water off the coast of Luganville behind Aore Island, provides the town with an excellent sheltered harbour.

The main street that runs through Luganville contains most of the commercial businesses and is very wide as a result of the American base commander insisting that 4 trucks could be driven along the road. Small side streets and outlying roads cater for the residential zones. The main street contains the port at one end, and the markets and municipal council building at the other end. In the centre there are two main types of stores; tourist boutiques, and all-in-one stores, best described as a cross between a supermarket and a hardware store.

Broadband internet became available to Luganville in late 2006.

The current population of Luganville is quite diverse. It comprises a vast majority of indigenous Ni-Vanuatu, also it has a small population of Chinese and European descendants. Out from the local population, there are people although who reside in Luganville, they came from other different islands in Vanuatu.

Luganville has changed with the expansion of businesses and shops in the town. However critics have claimed that Luganville has a great potential and should have developed more with its economic activities since Vanuatu had gained its Independence out from Great Britain and France in 1980.

Luganville has the second largest hospital in Vanuatu called Northern District Hospital. The hospital provides services to residents in Luganville and people in Santo rural parts of Santo. Additionally the hospital is also serving people in other northern islands of Vanuatu such as Banks etc. The hospital often however receives under funding from the central Government. It often relies on aid from overseas countries notably Australia and New Zealand.

The transportation in Luganville has changed dramatically and improved immensely. There is a considerable amount of buses and taxis and cabs which are providing services in the town. It has banks available namely ANZ and Westpac Bank.

Luganville has a market place in town which is quite popular with cheap local foods and drinks. Luganville has a police station which is located in the centre of the town. There is a small number of legal firms in town.

During World War II about 40,000 United States military personnel were stationed in Luganville and it is estimated the between 400,000 and 500,000 military personnel took R & R on the island, operating 3 bomber airfields, a huge wharf and a nearby drydock. This era in Luganville's history is evident in the military-constructed Quonset huts still scattered around town.