Luganville

Luganville
Santo
Luganville main street Boulevard Higinson
Luganville main street Boulevard Higinson
Flag of Luganville
Flag
Luganville is located in Vanuatu
Luganville
Luganville
Location in Vanuatu
Coordinates: 15°32′S 167°10′E / 15.533°S 167.167°E / -15.533; 167.167
Country Vanuatu
ProvinceSanma Province
IslandEspiritu Santo
Government
 • MayorAlan Awa (2021—present)[1][2]
Area
 • Total8.32 km2 (3.21 sq mi)
Elevation
8 m (26 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total18,062
 • Density2,200/km2 (5,600/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+11 (VUT)

Luganville is the second largest city in Vanuatu after the capital Port Vila; it is located on the island of Espiritu Santo and has a population of 18,062 as of the 2020 census.[3] Those on Vanuatu's northern islands who regard Luganville as their big city, particularly indigenous populations, call it Santo; rural residents of Espiritu Santo call it Kanal (from the former French name "Canal du Segond").[4] Luganville served as a major base of operations for American troops during World War II.[5]

Boulevard Higinson, the main street that runs through Luganville, contains mainly tourist boutiques and general stores.[6] During WWII, the Americans used the Espiritu Santo as a military base; as a result of the occupation, Boulevard Higinson is unusually wide, as a base commander insisted that four tanks should be able to drive along the road simultaneously.[7] At one end of Higinson is the port, one of two main ports for the island.[5]

  1. ^ Ayong, Steve (2021-06-10). "Renovation of historic Luganville town hall almost complete". VBTC. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  2. ^ Ligo, Godwin (2019-10-07). "New Mayor Outlines Priorities". Daily Post. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  3. ^ a b "Vanuatu 2020 National Population and Housing Census Preliminary Results has been released on Wednesday 30th June 2021". Vanuatu National Statistics Office. 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  4. ^ "Luganville". Famous Wonders. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  5. ^ a b Stone, Peter (1997). The Lady and the President: The Life and Loss of the S.S. President Coolidge. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  6. ^ "Shopping: Vanuatu". Arrival Guides. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  7. ^ "Luganville – Espirito [sic] Santo". Norwegian Cruise Lines. n.d. Retrieved 2021-07-15.