Geography · 2
In what year did the New Hebrides gain independence and become the nation of Vanuatu?
Answer
1980
The New Hebrides, jointly administered by Britain and France, became the independent nation of Vanuatu in 1980, discarding its colonial name.
💡 Did you know?
Vanuatu's original name New Hebrides was so tied to colonial rule that locals refused to use it; independence in 1980 brought an indigenous Bislama name instead.
Other options people guess
- 1975
- 1978
- 1983
Topics
- vanuatu
- independence
- pacific-islands
- 20th-century
Know your geography trivia?
Play a free Geography quiz and see how many you get right — no signup needed to start.
More Geography facts
Geography
What was the colonial-era name of the Pacific island nation now called Vanuatu, used until its 1980 independence?
Vanuatu's original name New Hebrides was so tied to colonial rule that locals refused to use it; independence in 1980 brought an indigenous Bislama name instead.
Geography
In what year did a Marxist coup lead Dahomey to rename itself Benin, rejecting its colonial-era name?
Bénin abandoned its colonial name Dahomey in 1975 after a Marxist coup, choosing the name of an ancient kingdom to reject its colonial past entirely.
Geography
What natural resource funded Nauru's wealth before poor investments like the musical 'Leonardo's Dream' helped bankrupt the country?
Nauru, a Pacific island nation, nearly went bankrupt after investing its phosphate wealth in a Australian musical 'Leonardo's Dream'—the show flopped immediately.
Geography
Which country's government legally prohibits anyone from entering North Sentinel Island to protect its indigenous inhabitants?
North Sentinel Island's indigenous Sentinelese people remain officially uncontacted; India legally forbids entry, making it Earth's most isolated human population.
Geography
Which African country has the largest land area on the continent?
Algeria is so vast that it borders eleven countries — more than almost any other African nation — yet over 90% of its land is covered by the Sahara Desert.
Geography
Which African country is the only one to be divided into two separate parts by another country?
Gambia is so narrow — just 48 km at its widest point inland — that you can drive across its entire width in under an hour, making it the smallest country on mainland Africa.