This small Pacific archipelago, formerly known as the New Hebrides and ruled since 1906 as a joint British-French Condominium, gained its independence on July 30, 1980. Since 2002, the government has made efforts to boost tourism. Vanuatu's economic development has been hindered by low exports, natural disasters and remoteness. Vanuatu experiences significant volcanic activity and is subject to tropical cyclones, minor earthquakes and tsunamis.