Luganville is the second largest city in the Republic of Vanuatu.
The population is 10,738.
Luganville is one of Vanuatu's busiest ports, especially as a
transshipment point for copra and cacao. Segond Channel, the body
of water off the coast of Luganville behind Aore Island, provides
the town with an excellent sheltered harbour.
The main street that runs through Luganville contains most of
the commercial businesses and is very wide as a result of the
American base commander insisting that 4 trucks could be driven
along the road. The main street contains the port at one end, and
the markets and municipal council building at the other end. In
town there are two main types of stores; tourist boutiques, and
all-in-one stores, best described as a cross between a supermarket
and a hardware store.
The current population of Luganville is quite diverse. It comprises
a vast majority of indigenous Ni-Vanuatu, also it has a small
population of Chinese and European descendants. Lunganville has
changed with the expansion of businesses and shops in the town.
However critics have claimed that Luganville has great potential
and should have developed more with its economic activities since
Vanuatu gained its Independence from Great Britain and France in
1980.
Lunganville has the second largest hospital in Vanuatu called
Northern District Hospital. The hospital provides services to
residents in Luganville and people in Santo's rural parts.
The transportation in Lunganville has changed dramatically and
improved immensely. There is a considerable amount of buses and
taxis which provide services in the town.
Lunganville has a market place in town which is quite popular with
cheap local foods and drinks. Lunganville has a police station
which is located quiet near this cache.
During World War II about 40,000 United States military personnel
were stationed in Luganville and it is estimated that between
400,000 and 500,000 military personnel took R & R on the
island, operating 3 bomber airfields, a huge wharf and a nearby
drydock. This era in Luganville's history is evident in the
military-constructed Quonset huts still scattered around town.
Small note on cache maintenance: There is a
local cache guardian. Name and contact info on file with
geocaching.com