Key Facts about Tuvalu

About Tuvalu:

• It was formerly called as the Ellice Islands.
• It’s an island country in the west-central Pacific Ocean, and sits around halfway between Hawaii and Australia. 
• Capital: Funafuti
• Its neighbours include Kiribati, to the north, and Fiji, to the south.
• It is composed of nine small coral islands scattered in a chain lying approximately northwest to southeast 
• Language: The Tuvaluans are Polynesian and they speak Tuvaluan language which is closely related to Samoan.
• Government
  • The government is a parliamentary democracy with a unicameral legislature elected by universal adult suffrage.
  • There are no political parties: the prime minister is chosen by and from the legislature.
  • Tuvalu is a member of the South Pacific Forum.
• 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.
• Threats
  • Due to its low-lying geography, Tuvalu is at acute risk from natural disasters, including rising storm surges, cyclones, and tsunamis.