Luganville, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

🇻🇺 Luganville is the second largest city in Vanuatu after the capital Port Vila; it is located on the island of Espiritu Santo. 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. Luganville served as a major base of operations for American troops during World War II.

Boulevard Higinson, the main street that runs through Luganville, contains mainly tourist boutiques and general stores. 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. At one end of Higinson is the port, one of two main ports for the island.

Economy Luganville's economy suffered after Vanuatu declared independence in 1980. It has a strong tourist industry, namely in the areas of World War II artifacts and scuba diving (SS President Coolidge is a popular site as are the coral reefs), and is a destination for many cruise lines. Its other main industries are agriculture, cattle, and offshore financial services. The market along Boulevard Higinson is popular for its inexpensive food.

Northern Provincial Hospital is one of two main referring hospitals on Espiritu Santo and serves people from other northern islands in Vanuatu as well as its own residents. Luganville is home to Vanuatu Health Training Institute, one of the two medical training schools on the island, but there are not enough graduates to prevent a shortage of medical professionals. Though medical expenses make up 50% of the government's budget, the hospital still relies heavily on donations.

There are six main banking organizations in Luganville: Reserve Bank of Vanuatu, Wanfuteng Bank, the National Bank of Vanuatu, Bank South Pacific, BRED Bank, and ANZ Bank.

Broadband internet was not available in Luganville until late 2006.

Transport Luganville is one of Vanuatu's busiest ports, especially as a transshipment point for copra, coconut oil, and cacao. Canal du Segond, the body of water separating the main island and Luganville from Aore Island, provides the town with an excellent sheltered harbour. The town is served by Santo-Pekoa International Airport, the second largest airport in Vanuatu. The city is also serviced by a number of taxis, buses, and public transport trucks.