South Pacific Island Nation Vanuatu: Happiest Place in the World

The following article and relevant clip from the BBC report on recent findings that the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu is the Happiest country on earth. I can't help but think about two of my favorite books: Paul Theroux's Happy Isles of Oceania and Michener's Tales of the South Pacific, especially Tales' mythical isle of Bali Hai.

Photograph courtesy of Graham Crumb's Flickr stream

What's so great about living in Vanuatu?
The Pacific island nation of Vanuatu is the happiest place on earth, according to a new "happy planet index". Beside the palm trees and beaches, why is life so good there?
By Denise Winterman
BBC News Magazine
Last Updated: Thursday, 13 July 2006, 12:02 GMT 13:02 UK

The archipelago of 83 islands in the western Pacific is the happiest place on the planet, according to a new "happy planet index" published by the New Economics Foundation (NEF). The UK languishes in 108th place, below Libya, Iran, and Palestine.

Click here for complete article.

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Vanuatu is happiest country
BBC News Player
July 4, 2007

The Vanuatu islands are underdeveloped but the happiest country on earth due to strong traditions.

Click here to view the clip.