Tuvalu

The Western Pacific nation of Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands consists of nine tiny coral atolls (26 sq km), home to about 12 000 people, its location is south of the equator and west of the dateline about midway between Hawaii and Australia. Tuvalu is one of the worlds smallest nations and unusual an independent state with the english monarch as head of state.

other Polynesian islands: American Samoa, Cook Islands, French Polynesia (Tahiti), Niue, Pitcairn, Samoa, Tonga

related countries: United Kingdom

Official Name:
Tuvalu
former: Ellice Islands

ISO Country Code: tv

Time:
Local Time = UTC +12h

Country Calling Code: +688

Capital: Funafuti

Government:
Type: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy.
Independence: 1 October 1978 (from U.K.).
Constitution: 1 October 1978.

Geography:
Location: Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia.
Area: 26 sq. km.
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: Tuvaluan(s).
Population: 12 000
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. Literacy: 55%.

Natural resources: Coconuts; fish.

Currency: Australian dollar (AUD); note - there is also a Tuvaluan dollar.