Geography & Mobility in Tuvalu

The Tuvalu Islands consist of nine coral atolls and can be divided into three islands and six atolls. The most important island is the Funafuti. The island nation is located in Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean with a surface area of 26 square kilometers. This makes it one of the smallest countries in the world. Tuvaluan geography and terrain are dominated by low lying coral atolls and extensive reefs. Its climate is tropical, moderated by trade winds and the western gales.; The overall population is approximately 11,646 people. The capital of the country is Funafuti, which is also the most populous city with 5,320 inhabitants. Other important towns are Savave Village, Motufoua and Teava. The country’s largest and only international airport is Funafuti International Airport (FUN) (FUN). The airport provides access to two destinations in Tarawa and Suva with flights usually being scheduled once a week.

Tuvalu Demographics & More

The culture is dominated by the Tuvaluan mythology. The highest percentage religion in the country is Protestantism. The official languages are Tuvaluan and English. The Tuvaluan legal system is based on the English common law and local customary law. The government form is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The chief of state is Queen Elizabeth II and the head of government is the elected Prime Minister.

Tuvalu's Economy

The official currency is the Tuvaluan Dollar (TVD). The country has an open economy, generating a GDP of approximately $39 million, making it the lowest GDP in Oceania. Its citizens have a per capita income of $3,566. The services sector accounts for the majority of GDP. Almost half of the nation’s income is originating from the sale of fishing licenses. Agriculture and tourism are minor. The nation’s main export products are fish and coconut. Remittances from Tuvaluans abroad are steady at around $4 million a year.

Visiting Tuvalu

The Tuvaluan islands have a minor tourism industry. Despite the fact that it boasts a diverse range of magnificent undeveloped natural reserves, reefs, and beaches. It is known for its vast beaches, World War II sites, fishing, surfing and diving. There are no UNESCO world heritage sites in the country. Some of the major destinations include Funafuti, the Marine Conservation Park, Nanumanga, WWII sites and the stamp museum. The island nation has a total of approximately 1,600 tourists visiting every year with the majority originating from neighboring islands and Australia.