Tuvalu
democracyIndependence 1 October 1978 (from UK)
Tuvalu as the 1995 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 75 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the | South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to | Australia
13 fieldsLand useshare of 26 sq km
Location
Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Climate
- tropical;
- moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November);
- westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)
Environment
- current issues:
- since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, all water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities;
- beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials;
- excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel;
- damage to coral reefs from the spread of the crown of thorns starfish
- natural hazards:
- severe tropical storms are rare
- international agreements:
- party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1995 est.)
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 36% (female 1,787; male 1,852)
- 15-64 years:
- 59% (female 3,105; male 2,764)
- 65 years and over:
- 5% (female 258; male 225) (July 1995 est.)
Government
Democracy; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Tulaga MANUELLA (since NA June 1994); Prime Minister Kamuta LATASI (since 10 December 1993)
19 fieldsExecutive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Tulaga MANUELLA (since NA June 1994)
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Kamuta LATASI (since 10 December 1993); Deputy Prime Minister Otinielu TAUSI (since 10 December 1993)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on recommendation of the prime minister
Parliament (Palamene)
- elections last held 25 November 1993 (next to be held by NA 1997);
- results - percent of vote NA;
- seats - (12 total)
Member of
ACP, AsDB, C (special), ESCAP, IFRCS (associate), INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO
Flag
- light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant;
- the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands
Economy
Tuvalu consists of a scattered group of nine coral atolls | with poor soil.
18 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 2,600 kW
Overview
Tuvalu consists of a scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral resources and few exports. Subsistence farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. The islands are too small and too remote for development of a tourist industry.
Government revenues largely come from the sale of stamps and coins and worker remittances. Substantial income is received annually from an international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, NZ, and the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea.
Imports
$4.4 million (c.i.f., 1989)
- commodities:
- food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods
- partners:
- Fiji, Australia, NZ
Economic aid
recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $1 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $101 million
Exchange rates
Tuvaluan dollars ($T) or Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3058 (January 1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990)
Transportation
5 fieldsNetworkskm
Merchant marine
- total:
- 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 44,473 GRT/73,652 DWT
- ships by type:
- cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, oil tanker 1, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1
Communications
3 fieldsDefense Forces
No military forces; Police Force
2 fieldsCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Tuvalu.” The World Factbook 1995. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/tuvalu/1995.