Overview:

The name “Tuvalu” means ‘eight standing together’ in Tuvaluan.

Former name - Ellice Islands

Capital: Funafuti

Dialing code: +688

Airport code: FUN

Continent: Oceania

Coastline: 24km

Area: 10 sq. mi. ( 26 sq. km )

Currency: Australian dollar, Tuvaluan dollar

Official Language: English and Tuvaluan

Population: 11,312 (2022)

Religion: Christianity

National Day: 1 October

National Animal: Pantropical Spotted Dolphin

National bird: Not declared

National Fruit: Not declared

National Tree: Coast Cottonwood

National sport: Football

National flower: Hibiscus tiliaceus

National color: Light blue

Time zone: UTC +12

Driving side: Left-side of the road

Flag:

Flag designed by - Vione Natano

The flag was similar to that of Fiji country. The light blue background contained nine yellow stars which are arranged in a pattern constellation of the Southern Cross, represents the atolls and islands of the country.

The Union Jack canton was symbolic of Tuvalu's links with Britain and to the other Commonwealth members.

It is a constitutional monarchy with 16-member unicameral parliament elected ever four years.

Weather in Tuvalu:

Summer: March to November (Moderated by Eastern trade winds)

Rainy: November to March (Westerly gales and heavy rain)

Food and drinks in Tuvalu:

Tuvalu Food Culture:

Food is influenced by British elements because it was under the British colony in 19th century.

Tuvaluans also eat seafood, including coconut crab, seabirds - like take take or black noddy and akiaki or white tern, fish from the lagoon and Ocean.

National dish of Tuvalu - Pulaka

Must-try Foods:

Palusami
Fafaru - Fermented Fish
Pulaka
Laulu - Taro leaf soup
Baked crab
Ika Mata
Lua i Fai - Banana dessert
Ti Babi - Pork Stew

Tuvalu Drink:

The National drink of Tuvalu is Kava, which is consumed by most of the people in Tuvalu country.

Economics of Tuvalu:

Tuvalu Income Source:

Tuvalu income sources

Government revenues mainly comes from fishing licenses and Tuvalu Trust Fund (TTF)

Goods Imported to Tuvalu:

Refined Petroleum
Passenger and Cargo Ships
Tug Boats
Fishing Ships
Iron Structures

Goods exported by Tuvalu:

Frozen fish (Tuna, Skipjack, Albacore, Bonoto, etc)

Copra (Dried coconut meat from which oil may be extracted)
Cocoa
Kava
Beef

Tuvalu export and import partners:

Import Partners - China, Japan, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia

Export Partners - South Korea, Japan, France

Culture of Tuvalu:

Most of the Tuvaluans live in a villages of a few hundred people, tend their gardens, and fish from handcrafted canoes.

Traditional music and dance are still been loved and followed by those people along with the Western forms.

Tuvalu has a strong tradition of Volunteerism, whereby persons and families present food, services, and money to the community on occasions such as child's educational achievement or a wedding.

Sports in Tuvalu:

National game of Tuvalu:

Foot ball is the National game of Tuvalu.

Popular Games in Tuvalu:

Cricket, Football (Soccer), Volleyball are popular sports in Tuvalu.

Transport in Tuvalu:

How many airports in Tuvalu:

There is 1 airport including all international, private and domestic.

With a runway length of 1,524m (5,000ft)

Main transport in Tuvalu:

The Roads are the main transport in Tuvalu.

The usual forms of transport are small pickup trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles, all of which can be hired at the hotel.

Taxis are also available but there are only limited services offered.

How many countries travel without visas to Tuvalu?

82 countries without visas. It grants 35 e-visas and 29 on-arrival visas. 52 countries are required for a visa.

The Solomon Islands passport ranks 29^th in the world.

Tourism in Tuvalu:

Only about 1600 tourists visit Tuvalu each year (mostly from Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand)

So Tuvalu Island is out of track in many of the tourist travel list.

Must visit places in Tuvalu:

Funafuti
Nanumea Atoll
Fongafale
Niutao
Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau

Festivals in Tuvalu:

As it has a very small Population, this means there is no much opportunities for Grand festivals to be celebrated there.

New Year's Day:

This is the first public holiday of the year, observed on January 1st every year.

Bomb Day:

This day is celebrated only in Funafuti.

This day is celebrated because to be thankful to an American soldier who had pre - estimated (bomb fell) the danger and evacuated the villagers safely from the bomb fell through the roof of the city’s Church on 23rd April, 1943.

Tuvalu Days:

Held on 1st of October every year, this event commemorates the independence of Tuvalu in 1978.

It became independent from the United Kingdom during that period.

Hurricane Day:

Held on October 21 Tuvaluans commemorate Hurricane Bebe, which hit the Islands and 18 people died in 1972.

Defense in Tuvalu:

Armed forces personnel are active duty military personnel, including paramilitary forces if the training, equipment, organization and control suggestions which may be useful to or can be replaced by regular military forces.

Facts of Tuvalu:

Tuvalu creation myth - By repeatedly throwing the stone in the air the Eel created night and day, the sea and the blue sky. The Eel then broke the stone into eight pieces to create the main Island of Tuvalu.
Fourth smallest country in the world.
Tuvalu is one of the first places where you can see the new year in, with the clock here ticking over into the next day 22 hours ahead of Honolulu in Hawaii.
The country does not take credit cards.
Tuvalu used to be known as the ‘Ellice Island’
Tuvalu is made up entirely of atolls.
Tuvalu might disappear soon.

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