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Tuvalu Country Guide
Explore Tuvalu in Oceania
The topography includes low-lying and narrow coral atolls. The average density of population is approximately 462 per km². The notable climate conditions in Tuvalu can be described as tropical with moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November) and westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March). Possible natural disasters include severe tropical storms are usually rare, but in 1997 there were three cyclones or low level of islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level.
To reach someone in Tuvalu dial +688 prior to a number. There are 1,700 installed telephones. And there are 2,000 registered mobile phones. The cellular networks commonly support frequencies of n/a MHz. Websites registered in this country end with the top level domain ".tv". If you want to bring electric equipment on your trip (e.g. laptop power supply), note the local power outlet of 220V - 50Hz.
About the flag and history of Tuvalu
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 on a blue field symbolizing the nine atolls in the ocean.
In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period.
Geography Quick-Facts
| Summary | Continent: Oceania Neighbours: Capital: Funafuti |
| Size | 26 square kilometers (km² or sqkm) or 10 square miles (mi² or sqmi) 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC |
| Population | 12,000 |
| Currency | Name Dollar, Currency Code:AUD |
| Country Top Level Domain (cTLD) | .tv |
| Telephone Country Prefix | +688 |
| Mobile Phone Connections | 2,000 |
| Landline Phone Connections | 1,700 |
Country Position in World Rankings
Information about single country attributes and how these compare against the rest of the world. The information below is compiled with data from 2013. As such, it may differ a bit to the Information above in the text (which is from 2010).
Geography
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 26 (sq km) | 238 |
People and Society
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,698 | 224 |
| Population growth rate | 0.77 (%) | 137 |
| Birth rate | 23.56 (births/1,000 population) | 70 |
| Death rate | 8.97 (deaths/1,000 population) | 67 |
| Net migration rate | -6.92 (migrant(s)/1,000 population) | 198 |
| Infant mortality rate | 32.61 (deaths/1,000 live births) | 67 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 65.47 (years) | 171 |
| Total fertility rate | 3.06 (children born/woman) | 56 |
| Health expenditures | 17.50 (% of GDP) | 3 |
| Children under the age of 5 years underweight | 1.60 (%) | 123 |
Economy
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | 37,610,000 | 226 |
| GDP - real growth rate | 1.20 (%) | 158 |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | 3,400 | 173 |
| Labor force | 3,615 | 224 |
| Taxes and other revenues | 58.20 (% of GDP) | 9 |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -4.10 (% of GDP) | 141 |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 3.80 (%) | 106 |
| Current account balance | -7,700,000 | 59 |
| Exports | 600,000 | 219 |
| Imports | 16,500,000 | 221 |
Communications
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | 1,400 | 219 |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | 2,100 | 216 |
| Internet hosts | 145,158 | 80 |
| Internet users | 4,200 | 206 |
Transportation
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Airports | 1 | 235 |
| Roadways | 8 (km) | 222 |
| Merchant marine | 58 | 67 |
Data based on CIA facts book 2010 & 2013, wikipedia, national statistical offices and their census releases