About Tuvalu

Explore this Tuvalu map to learn everything you want to know about this country. Learn about Tuvalu location on the world map, official symbol, flag, geography, climate, postal/area/zip codes, time zones, etc. Check out Tuvalu history, significant states, provinces/districts, & cities, most popular travel destinations and attractions, the capital city’s location, facts and trivia, and many more.

Introduction of Tuvalu : formerly called the Ellice Islands by its colonizers, Tuvalu achieved freedom from the British Empire in the year 1975. It was a part the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. The name of the island derives from the native word meaning “Cluster of Eight” – though there are actually nine islands.

Location of Tuvalu : located in the peripheral region of Polynesia, Tuvalu is situated in southern hemisphere, missing the Equator by a small margin. The Federated States of Micronesia lies to its north and the Fiji Islands to its south.

Physical Map of Tuvalu : Tuvalu is a collection of some nine land masses scattered in c close cluster in the central region of the Pacific Ocean. Of these nine, three are slightly bigger islands while the other six are atolls. Moreover, in addition to these there are also some 129 islets which are a part of the group. The names of the nine habitable land masses are Niutao, Funafuti, Nukufetau, Nanumaga, Niulakita, Nanumea, Nukulaelae, Nui and Vaitupu. The islands and atolls are reef-tables in origin. However, the soil on the islands is most unsuitable for agriculture. Most of the water bodies present within the islands is landlocked. The other formations in the islands are lagoons, which are a common sight.

Climate of Tuvalu : the phrase that best defines the climatic conditions of Tuvalu is the ‘typically tropical’. However, it is not merely tropical, it is also pleasantly so. Seasonal changes or even day-time and night-time changes of temperature record little or no variations. Precipitation on the islands is regular and sufficient and keeps the islands well watered.

Flora and Fauna of Tuvalu : the concentration of the flora and fauna in Tuvalu is found mostly in the water bodies that surround it. Fish and sea plants abound in the ocean around it. The land flora in Tuvalu is not as impressive. Most of the indigenous plants to be found in the land are coconut palms and pandanus. Aside of these, the other plants found on the islands are foreign imports; they are mostly the fruit bearing type. As far as fauna goes, the only native animal of Tuvalu is the Polynesian rat. The other animals in the island are of the domestic variety, like pigs, dogs and cats, and arrived with the foreign people who came to the island. However, in comparison to the lack in plants and animals on the mainland, the avian fauna thrives. Species such as terns, reef herons and noddies are found in abundance. One unique feature of the island is its variety of moths and butterflies. There is said to be over 25 species of them, but only 22 of them are known.

Arts, Culture and Music of Tuvalu :

Art : the Women’s Handicraft Center is an official place where the propagation of traditional Tuvalu arts forms is encouraged. Among the renowned things to be found here are fans, mats, baskets, necklaces, woodcarvings and fishhooks

Culture : the social system in Tuvalu revolves around tradition. Each person of Tuvalu has and a strong sense of duty and grounded community feelings. The Tuvalu practice the system of ‘salanga’, in which each family contributes to the community by doing certain social tasks, be it building a house or fishing or any other thing. The trade of the family is passed on in hierarchy so that skills and specialties are carried on from generation to generation.

Music : Tuvalu has a rich cultural heritage; and that reflects in its music.So their music has both modern and traditional elements. The people of Tuvalu have a song to commemorate every occasion in life. In fact, they also have one for their funerals. It is called ‘Kupu’ which is not very different in style from one of the music styles that they use for their dances – the fakaseasea. The other types of music which caccompany their dances are fakanu and fatele.

Flag of Tuvalu

Flag of Tuvalu : The Tuvalu flag is a simple rectangular one. The base color of the flag is light blue. On this backdrop is superimposed the flag of Britain – the Union jack, as it is better known – on the top left side. On the right side, stretching in an almost diagonal fashion, from the top to the bottom are nine yellow five-point stars. The stars, representative of the nine islands, are arranged in the same way as they appear on any map.

Economy of Tuvalu : Tuvalu’s chief source of income is from revenue aids made by foreign countries like the United Kingdoms. Aside of these, proceeds from the sale of postage stamps and the export of fish and coconut fiber come a close second as contributors to the economy. In addition to these, money sent back home by people of Tuvalu who work abroad is another source of income for the nation.