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| CIA Background Information |
In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period.
| U.S. State Department Description |
Country Description:
Tuvalu is a South Pacific island nation consisting of four reef islands and five atolls. A self governing member of the British Commonwealth, Tuvalu has a parliamentary system of government. Read the Department of State Background Notes
on Tuvalu for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport, onward/return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds for the stay in Tuvalu are required. Visitor permits valid for up to three months are issued upon arrival. For further information about entry requirements, travelers may wish to contact the Tuvalu Permanent Mission to the United ... Read this Article
People
Nationality: Noun--Tuvaluan (s); adjective--Tuvaluan.
Population (2006 est.): 9,652. Age structure (2006 est.)--34.2% under 15; 3.6% over 65.
Growth rate (2007 est.): 2.5%.
Ethnic groups: Polynesians 96%, Micronesians 4%.
Religion: Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%; Seventh-day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'I 1%, other 0.6%.
Languages: Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) also spoken.
Education (2004): Literacy--95%.
Health (2004): Life expectancy--total 61.5 yrs.; male 61 yrs; female 62. ... Read this Article
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Location: Tuvalu is Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia See Map
Capital: name: Funafuti
geographic coordinates: 8 30 S, 179 12 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
note: administrative offices are located in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet
Currency (Code): Australian dollar (AUD); note - there is also a Tuvaluan dollar ...More
Area: total: 26 sq km , land: 26 sq km , water: 0 sq km ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)
Area Comparison: 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m , highest point: unnamed location 5 m (1 meter = 3.28 feet)
Population: 12,177 (July 2008 est.)
Unemployment: NA%
Ethnic Groups: Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4%
Religion: Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6%
Languages: Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)
More Statistics
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| History
The Spanish were the first Europeans to see the islands in the 1500s. However, in 1819, Captain De Peyster, an American in command of the British merchant ship Rebecca named the main island in the group Ellice's Island after a British politician who owned the cargo aboard his ship. In 1841, ... Read this Article
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| Geographic Info for Tuvalu : |
Geography
Area: 26 sq. km.
Capital: Funafuti.
Terrain: Very low lying and narrow coral atolls.
Climate: Tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March-November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November-March).
People
Nationality: Noun--Tuvaluan (s); adjective--Tuvaluan.
Population (2006 est.): 9,652. Age structure (2006 est.)--34.2% under 15; 3.6% over 65.
Growth rate (2007 est.): 2.5%.
Ethnic groups: Polynesians 96%, Micronesians 4%.
Religion: Church ... Read this Article
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