Information on Tuvalu

Tuvalu consists of nine islands, five of which are atolls. These are bounded approximately within Latitudes 5.5 degrees to 11 degrees South and Longitudes 176 degrees to 180 degrees East. The Capital of Tuvalu is Funafuti.

Tuvalu was previously known as the Ellice Islands. After having gained independence from the United Kingdom on 1st October 1978, the name is changed to Tuvalu. Queen Elizabeth II is still recognized as the Queen of Tuvalu and is represented by the Governor General Filoimea Telito. The Head of Government is Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia who was elected on 14th August 2006.

The population of Tuvalu is about 12,000 as at end of 2008 and the people are mainly Polynesians. 95% of Tuvalu’s population are Christians. Tuvalu has her own unique Tuvaluan language although English is widely spoken.

The country has very little natural resources and revenues are largely derived from fishing licences and workers remittances. Some income is also derived from leasing of its Internet domain registrations under ".tv" and registration taxes received from the Tuvalu Ship Registry. Recently, the Government is also looking into promoting Tuvalu as a tourism destination.

Tuvalu is a member of the United Nations and maintains a mission at the United Nations in New York. Tuvalu is also a member of the Asian Development Bank.

( more information may be obtained from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuvalu )