Tuvalu
 

1895 - 1937 Flag of British Gilbert Islands Resident           1937 - 1 Oct 1975 Government Maritime Flag                         1 Oct 1975 - 1 Oct 1978                         1 Oct 1978 - 1 Oct 1995                         1 Oct 1995 - 31 Dec 1995                         1 Jan 1996 - 11 Apr 1997                       Re-adopted 11 Apr 1997 Map of Tuvalu Hear National Anthem "Tuvalu mo te Atua" (Tuvalu for the Almighty) Text of National Anthem  Adopted 1978 Constitution (1 Oct 1986) Capital: Funafuti (administrative offices are located in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet) Currencies: Tuvaluan Dollar (TVD); Australian Dollar (AUD) National Holiday: 1 Oct (1978) Independence Day Population: 12,177 (2008) GDP: $26 million (2006) Exports: $1 million (2004) Imports: $12.9 million (2005)  Ethnic groups: Tuvaluan (Polynesian) 93.6%, mixed (Pacific Islander-European-Asian) 4.6%, other Pacific Islander 1.5%, other 0.3% (2002) Total Police Force: 70 (2002)  Nonformal Security Arrangements with Australia and New Zealand Merchant marine: 80 ships (2008) Religions: Christian 97%, (of which Church of Tuvalu [Congregational] 91%, Seventh-Day Adventist 2%, Roman  Catholic 1%), Baha'i 1.9%, other 1.1% (2002)  International Organizations/Treaties: ACP, ADB, C, FAO, IBRD, ICAO (observer), IDA, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ISA, ITU, KP, NPT, OPCW, PC, PIF, UN, UNCLOS, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFCC, UNHCR, UPU, WHO Tuvalu Chronology 16 Jan 1568                Spanish Capt. Álvaro de Mendaña y Neyra discovers                              Nui Island which he names Isla de Jesus. 29 Aug 1595                Álvaro de Mendaña y Neyra discovers Niulakita                              Island which he names La Solitaria. 1764                       Discovered by British Capt. John Byron,                               named Lagoon Islands.  5 May 1781                Spanish Capt. Francisco Maurelle discovers                              Nanumanga Island which he names Isla de Cocal. May 1819                   American Capt. Arent de Peyster on a British ship                              names Nukefetau as de Peyster's Group and                              names the Funafuti as Ellice's Group.  6 Nov 1821                U.S. Capt. George Barrett discovers Nukulaelae                              Island and rediscovers Niulakita. 1841                       U.S. Exploring Expedition commanded by Charles                              Wilkes visited 3 of Tuvalu's islands.  9-16 Oct 1892             Part of the British colony of the Gilbert and                               Ellice Islands (see Kiribati).  1 Oct 1975                Separate dependency (Ellice Islands).  1 Oct 1975 -  2 Jan 1976  Part of the British Western Pacific Territories.  1 Oct 1978                Independence from Britain (Tuvalu).  7 Feb 1979                U.S. recognizes Funafuti, Nukefetau, Nukulaelae,                              and Nurakita (Niulakita) atolls as part of                              Tuvalu (effective 23 Sep 1983). Feb 1986                   Referendum votes against becoming a republic. 30 Apr 2008                Referendum again votes against becoming a republic.

Chiefs of Funafuti (title Aliki tupu)
.... - ....                Telematua
.... - ....                Kaitosuga
.... - ....                Tailoa I
.... - ....                Tailoa II
.... - ....                Tepaolo
.... - ....                Salaika
.... - ....                Polau
.... - ....                Tauasa
.... - ....                Silimaiau
.... - ....                Tila
.... - ....                Sokomani
.... - ....                Talafou
.... - ....                Featule
.... - ....                Teleke
.... - ....                Matavai
.... - ....                Iakopo
.... - ....                Manu
1892? - 1902               Elia                               (b. 18.. - d. 1902)
Commissioner
 1 Oct 1975 -  1 Oct 1978  Thomas H. Laying
Queen¹
 1 Oct 1978 -              the Queen of the United Kingdom
Governors-general (representing the British monarch as head of state)
 1 Oct 1978 -  1 Mar 1986  Fiatau Penitala Teo                (b. 1911 - d. 1998)
                             (from 2 Jun 1979, Sir Fiatau Penitala Teo)             
 1 Mar 1986 -  1 Oct 1990  Tupua Leupena                      (b. 1922 - d. 1996)
                             (from 8 Jul 1986, Sir Tupua Leupena)
 1 Oct 1990 -  1 Dec 1993  Sir Toaripi Lauti                  (b. 1928)
 1 Dec 1993 - 21 Jun 1994  Tomu Malaefone Sione               (b. 1941)
21 Jun 1994 - 26 Jun 1998  Tulaga Manuella                    (b. 1936)
                             (from 15 Feb 1996, Sir Tulaga Manuella)
26 Jun 1998 -  9 Sep 2003  Sir Tomasi Puapua                  (b. 1938)
 9 Sep 2003 - 15 Apr 2005  Faimalaga Luka                     (b. 1940 - d. 2005)
15 Apr 2005 -              Filoimea Telito
                             (from 12 Jan 2007, Sir Filoimea Telito)

Chief minister
 2 Oct 1975 -  1 Oct 1978  Toalipi Lauti                      (s.a.)                Non-party
Prime ministers
 1 Oct 1978 -  8 Sep 1981  Toalipi Lauti                      (s.a.)                Non-party
 8 Sep 1981 - 16 Oct 1989  Tomasi Puapua                      (s.a.)                Non-party
16 Oct 1989 - 10 Dec 1993  Bikenibeu Paeniu (1st time)        (b. 1956)             Non-party
10 Dec 1993 - 24 Dec 1996  Kamuta Latasi                      (b. 1936)             Non-party
24 Dec 1996 - 27 Apr 1999  Bikenibeu Paeniu (2nd time)        (s.a.)                Non-party
27 Apr 1999 -  8 Dec 2000  Ionatana Ionatana                  (b. 1938? - d. 2000)  Non-party
 8 Dec 2000 - 24 Feb 2001  Lagitupu Tuilimu (acting)                                Non-party
24 Feb 2001 - 14 Dec 2001  Faimalaga Luka                     (s.a.)                Non-party
14 Dec 2001 -  2 Aug 2002  Koloa Talake                       (b. 1934)             Non-party
 2 Aug 2002 - 27 Aug 2004  Saufatu Sopoanga                   (b. 1952)             Non-party
27 Aug 2004 - 14 Aug 2006  Maatia Toafa                       (b. 1954)             Non-party
                             (acting to 11 Oct 2004)
14 Aug 2006 -              Apisai Ielemia                     (b. 1955)             Non-party

  ¹Full style:
(a) 1 Oct 1978 - 1987: "By the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith";
(b) from 1987: "By the Grace of God, Queen of Tuvalu and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth."

No Political Parties Exist

©2000  Ben Cahoon