A small quantity of copra is produced for export, the sale of stamps accounts for modest earnings, and fees are collected from foreign fishing fleets, but the country depends heavily on foreign aid. The island doesn’t accept credit cards – the infrastructure to support a credit card processing system is too expensive to justify. However, it was packed when I arrived in Funafuti on 15th December…. If you want to visit the most isolated and remote independent country in the South Pacific, Tuvalu is the place to go. Is Chewing Gum Against the Law in Singapore? Tuvalu has air links with Kiribati and Fiji; for international shipping, it depends on irregular regional services. The Tuvaluan lifestyle has been Westernized to an extent, but Western-style amenities are few. On Fongafale, the biggest of the Tuvalu islands, they built a naval station and an airstrip, which later became Tuvalu’s airport. Individual Islands Funafuti Funafuti Centre Nanumaga Nanumea Niulakita Niutao Nui Nukufetau Nukulaelae Vaitupu . Volleyball, football (soccer), and cricket are popular. The people at Travel Visa Pro can answer all of your questions!

One of the least visited countries in the world, Tuvalu is truely a travelersless destination. Darwin’s theory was only proved in 1951 when the United States Geological Survey found volcanic rock at Eniwetok and Bikini atolls on the Marshall Islands. Although most people live on the outer islands in extended family households clustered into villages, about one-third of the population lives on Funafuti, the centre of government and commerce. #1 Best Value in Tuvalu that matches your filters. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'factsking_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_8',133,'0','0'])); When Japan occupied neighboring Kiribati island, U.S. troops stationed themselves in Tuvalu to launch attacks. English is taught in the schools and widely used. Tuvalu became a British protectorate in 1892 but gained independence in 1978. Medical facilities are centralized on Funafuti, but all other islands have clinics with trained medical staff. Each of the Tuvaluan islands has a “creation myth” explaining their existence. Because the soils are porous, agriculture is limited. Unfortunately, the drilling equipment used on the expeditions wasn’t able to drill deep enough, an interesting fact about Tuvalu. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Tuvalu Facts 1. Featured. Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan are among the country’s major trade partners. Tuvalu - Small Tuvalu - Large. ‘The Cruise of the “Janet Nichol” Among the South Sea Islands: A Diary’ was first published in 1914. Retailing is handled by community-based cooperative societies. Video. 2020 By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. The de facto capital is the village of Vaiaku, where most government offices are located. I hope that this article on Tuvalu facts was helpful. One of the least visited countries in the world, Tuvalu is truely a travelersless destination. Search. In the mid 1970s the islands seceded from the Gilbert Ellise Colony, officially changing their collective name to Tuvalu, and became an independent nation.