Tuvalu Island

Tuvalu Latest News

The Government of Tuvalu has officially become the 90th State Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently.

About Tuvalu

• Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is an island country in the west-central Pacific Ocean. 
• It is the 4th smallest country in the world with 26 sq.km. of land.
• It sits about halfway between Australia and Hawaii. 
• Its neighbours include Kiribati, to the north, and Fiji, to the south. 
• It is a collection of small islands and atolls largely made out of coral reefs and volcanic rock. 
• All islands are low-lying, with no point on Tuvalu being higher than 4.5 m above sea level. Thus, the islands are threatened by any future sea level rise.
• There are no rivers. Tuvalu’s climate is hot and rainy.
• With the exception of tiny Vatican City, Tuvalu has the fewest inhabitants of any other independent nation.
• Capital: Funafuti
• Languages: Most people speak a language called Tuvaluan. English is widely used.
• Currency: Tuvalu dollar (equivalent to the Australian dollar)
• Political System:
  • Tuvalu became independent from the United Kingdom in October 1978. 
  • It operates as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy.
  • It is part of the Commonwealth Realm, with King Charles III recognized as King of Tuvalu. He is represented by a Governor-General, who is appointed upon the advice of the Prime Minister.
  • There are no political parties: the prime minister is chosen by and from the legislature.
• Economy:
  • Most people are subsistence farmers and are aided by remittances from relatives working overseas.
  • A small quantity of copra is produced for export, the sale of stamps accounts for modest earnings, and fees are collected from foreign fishing fleets.

Source: IUCN

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