# Tuvalu

> country in Oceania

**Wikidata**: [Q672](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q672)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuvalu)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tuvalu

## Summary
Tuvalu is a sovereign island country in Oceania, located in the Pacific Ocean, with a total area of 25.14 square kilometers. It gained independence on October 1, 1978, and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations. As of 2022, its population is approximately 10,643, with Funafuti serving as the capital.

## Key Facts
- **Area**: 25.14 square kilometers.
- **Independence**: October 1, 1978.
- **Capital**: Funafuti.
- **Population (2022)**: 10,643.
- **Membership**: United Nations (since 2000), Commonwealth of Nations (since 1978), and other international organizations.
- **Languages**: Tuvaluan and English (official).
- **Currency**: Tuvaluan dollar and Australian dollar.
- **Time Zone**: UTC+12:00 (Pacific/Funafuti).
- **Human Development Index (2021)**: 0.641.
- **Gini Coefficient (2010)**: 39.1.
- **Government**: Constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II (until 2022) and King Charles III (since 2022) as head of state.
- **Prime Minister (2024)**: Feleti Teo.

## FAQs
- **What is Tuvalu's international membership?** Tuvalu is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, World Health Organization, and other global bodies, reflecting its active diplomatic engagement.
- **What languages are spoken in Tuvalu?** The official languages are Tuvaluan and English, with Tuvaluan being the primary language used by the population.
- **What is Tuvalu's economic status?** Tuvalu has a nominal GDP of $60,349,391 (2022) and relies heavily on fishing and foreign aid, with a high dependence on imports.
- **What are Tuvalu's notable geographic features?** It is an archipelago in Polynesia, with the lowest elevation at sea level and the highest point at 5 meters (Niulakita).
- **What is Tuvalu's internet domain?** The top-level domain is .tv, which is commercially leased to fund the government.

## Why It Matters
Tuvalu is significant as one of the world's smallest and least populous countries, facing existential threats from climate change due to rising sea levels. Its unique cultural heritage, including traditional Polynesian practices and its status as a Commonwealth realm, highlights its role in global discussions on sustainability and small-state sovereignty. Tuvalu's diplomatic relations, such as its ties with Taiwan, also underscore its strategic geopolitical position in the Pacific.

## Notable For
- **Vulnerability to Climate Change**: One of the countries most at risk from rising sea levels.
- **Smallest Population**: Among the world's least populous sovereign states.
- **Unique Domain Lease**: The .tv internet domain generates significant revenue.
- **Cultural Preservation**: Efforts to maintain Tuvaluan language and traditions despite global influences.
- **Diplomatic Alliances**: Strategic partnerships, including recognition of Taiwan, impacting Pacific geopolitics.

## Body

### Geography and Environment
Tuvalu is an archipelago in Polynesia, part of Oceania, with coordinates approximately -7.475 latitude and 178.005556 longitude. It spans 25.14 square kilometers, making it one of the smallest countries globally. The lowest elevation is at sea level (Pacific Ocean), and the highest point is Niulakita at 5 meters. The country is highly vulnerable to climate change, with rising sea levels posing an existential threat.

### History and Governance
- **Independence**: Gained sovereignty on October 1, 1978, succeeding the Territory of Tuvalu (formerly Ellice Islands).
- **Government**: A constitutional monarchy with King Charles III as head of state (since 2022) and a parliamentary system. The current Prime Minister is Feleti Teo (since 2024).
- **Legal System**: Based on English common law, with a focus on local customs.

### Demographics and Culture
- **Population**: As of 2022, the population is 10,643, with a growth rate influenced by migration and climate challenges.
- **Languages**: Tuvaluan (Polynesian language) and English are official, with Tuvaluan predominant in daily use.
- **Culture**: Rich in Polynesian traditions, including music, dance, and storytelling, with efforts to preserve heritage amid modernization.

### Economy
- **Currency**: Uses both the Tuvaluan dollar and Australian dollar.
- **GDP**: $60,349,391 (2022), heavily reliant on fishing, copra production, and foreign aid.
- **Challenges**: High unemployment, limited resources, and dependence on imports, exacerbated by climate-related risks.

### International Relations
- **UN Membership**: Joined in 2000, advocating for small-state and climate issues.
- **Commonwealth Membership**: Part of the Commonwealth since 1978, engaging in regional cooperation.
- **Diplomatic Ties**: Recognizes Taiwan, maintaining a strategic alliance that influences Pacific geopolitics.

### Infrastructure and Technology
- **Internet Domain**: The .tv domain is leased commercially, providing critical revenue for the government.
- **Energy**: Relies on imported fuels, with initiatives to develop renewable energy sources like solar power.

### Education and Health
- **Literacy**: High literacy rates, with education emphasizing both local culture and global standards.
- **Healthcare**: Faces challenges due to remoteness and limited resources, with life expectancy around 65 years (2022 data).

### Environmental Challenges
- **Climate Impact**: Rising sea levels and increased storm intensity threaten the country's existence, prompting international calls for climate action.
- **Conservation Efforts**: Initiatives to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable practices, though progress is hindered by resource constraints.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/tuvalu)
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/australasia)
5. [Source](https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/tuvalu)
6. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
7. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/tuvalu)
8. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
9. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
10. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=312)
11. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
12. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/tuvalu)
13. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. FIPS 10-4
16. MusicBrainz
17. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
18. World Bank Open Data
19. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
20. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=TV)
21. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
22. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
23. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
24. GeoNames
25. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
26. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
27. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
28. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
29. English as a Global Language, second edition
30. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
31. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
32. [Gazetteer](https://github.com/EnvironmentOntology/gaz/blob/master/src/ontology/gaz_countries.csv)
33. iNaturalist
34. FactGrid
35. KBpedia
36. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/inequality-adjusted-human-development-index\#/indicies/IHDI)