Vanuatu is the Oceanian country whose island of Efate is home to its capital, Port Vila.
Efate lies in the central part of Vanuatu’s archipelago and forms part of Shefa Province. Port Vila sits on the island’s southwest coast beside Mélé Bay, making Efate the political and commercial centre of the country.
The island covers about 899.5 square kilometres and is Vanuatu’s third-largest island. Its terrain reflects a volcanic past, with Mount McDonald reaching 647 metres. Efate is also Vanuatu’s most populous island; the 2020 census recorded more than 50,000 residents there.
A common mix-up is confusing the island with the country: Efate is not an independent state, while Vanuatu is the sovereign country. Another useful distinction is that Port Vila is on Efate, but the capital’s municipality and the surrounding rural island are administered through different local authorities.