Tuvalu
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentaryIndependence 1 October 1978 (from UK)
Tuvalu as the 1999 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 97 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
17 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;
- Tuvalu is very concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table
Environment--international agreements
- party to:
- Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
- signed, but not ratified:
- Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1999 est.)
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 35% (male 1,870; female 1,799)
- 15-64 years:
- 61% (male 3,062; female 3,360)
- 65 years and over:
- 4% (male 225; female 272) (1999 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.04 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.91 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.83 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Government
Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Tomasi PUAPUA, M.D. (since NA June 1998); Prime Minister Bikenibeu PAENIU (since 23 December 1996) and Deputy Prime Minister Kokeiya MALUA (since 8 April 1998)
18 fieldsLegislature, 12 seats, elected 26-27 March 1998one dot, one seat
Government type
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy; began debating republic status in 1992
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Tomasi PUAPUA, M.D. (since NA June 1998)
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Bikenibeu PAENIU (since 23 December 1996) and Deputy Prime Minister Kokeiya MALUA (since 8 April 1998);
- cabinet:
- Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister
- elections:
- the monarch is hereditary;
- governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister;
- prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of Parliament;
- election last held 8 April 1998 (next to be held NA 2002)
- election results:
- Bikenibeu PAENIU reelected prime minister by a vote in Parliament of 10 to 2;
- Kokeiya MALUA elected deputy prime minister;
- percent of Parliament vote--NA
Legislative branch
unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly (12 seats--two from each island with more than 1,000 inhabitants, one from all the other inhabited islands; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
- elections:
- last held 26-27 March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002)
- election results:
- percent of vote--NA; seats--independents 12
Judicial branch
- eight Island Courts;
- High Court;
- note--a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over sessions of the High Court
Political parties and leaders
there are no political parties but members of Parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings
International organization participation
ACP, AsDB, C (special), ESCAP, IFRCS (associate), Intelsat (nonsignatory user), ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation from the US
the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu
Flag description
- 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 densely populated, | scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil.
31 fieldsElectricity
Economy--overview
Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, 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. Government revenues largely come from the sale of stamps and coins and worker remittances.
About 1,000 Tuvaluans work in Nauru in the phosphate mining industry. Nauru has begun repatriating Tuvaluans, however, as phosphate resources decline. 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.
In an effort to reduce its dependence on foreign aid, the government is pursuing public sector reforms, including privatization of some government functions and personnel cuts of up to 7%. In 1998, Tuvalu began selling internet addresses in its TV domain and reportedly has derived revenue from use of its area code for "900" lines. Low-lying Tuvalu is particularly vulnerable to any future global warming.
Labor force--by occupation
people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those working abroad (mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors)
Economic aid--recipient
$7.9 million (1995); note?substantial annual support from an international trust fund
Exchange rates
Tuvaluan dollars ($T) or Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.5853 (January 1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994)
Communications
6 fieldsTransportation
6 fieldsMerchant marine, 10 ships by typeone square, one ship · (1998 est.)
Networkskm
Military
3 fieldsMilitary branches
no regular military forces; Police Force (consists of 56 full- and part-time personnel), Police Force (includes Maritime Surveillance Unit for search and rescue missions and surveillance operations)
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Tuvalu.” The World Factbook 1999. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/tuvalu/1999.