Weather Forecast in Luganville City

Luganville, called "Santo" by people from Vanuatu's northern islands who use Luganville as their big city, and called "Kanal" (from the French Segond Canal) by rural residents of the large island of Espiritu Santo, is the second largest city in Vanuatu. The population is 13,167.

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. Some of the locals, although residing in Luganville, come from other parts of Santo or different islands within 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 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, New Zealand, and China.

The transportation in Luganville has changed dramatically and improved immensely. There are considerable numbers of taxis, buses, and public transport trucks providing service in and around town.

There are four (4) banks in Luganville, namely National Bank of Vanuatu [2], ANZ [3], Westpac [4], and BRED Bank [5].

Luganville has a main market place in town - and several small markets around town - which are popular with inexpensive local foods, fruits, vegetables and drinks. Luganville has a police station located in the centre of town. There are a small number of legal firms and real estate agencies 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.