VILA

also called Port-vila, capital and largest town of the republic of Vanuatu, southwestern Pacific Ocean. Located on Mele Bay on the southwest coast of fat, Vila is a port and the commercial centre of the island group. Although the town is French in appearance, the population is multinational, including British, French, Vanuatuans, and Vietnamese. The town has hospitals, a cultural centre, Kawenu College (training of primary teachers), and a meat cannery. Bauerfield, just outside the town, is the major international airport of the Republic of Vanuatu. Vila served as a base for the United States in World War II. Pop. (1979) urban area, 14,884; (1989) urban area, 19,311.