Information About Tuvalu

History of Tuvalu

The ancient meaning of Tuvalu-"eight standing together" was coined 3000 years ago where out of the nine island of Tuvalu, only eight were inhabited. A deacon of the congregation church who was caught in a storm in the cool islands introduced the Christianity in Tuvalu in 1861, while the first European protestant Congregationalist-Rev. Murray arrived in Tuvalu in 1865. Resident commissioner in the Gilbert Islands was the leader of the British protectorate which Tuvalu belonged from 1892 to the end of 1916. During the battle of Tarawa and Makin for the implementation of the galvanic operation in 1943, the atolls of Tuvalu were used as the preparation staging post which led to the upgrading of the American military airfield in Tuvalu into the Funafuti international airport. Toaripi Lauti was appointed the chief minister after the house of assembly election in the Britain colony were held and he became the prime minister in 1978 after the state gained its independence.

Geography of Tuvalu

Tuvalu is a Polynesian island with three reef islands and six coral atolls along the international date west line and lying between Australia and Hawaii. Funafuti is the largest atoll with numerous islets. The country has a total area of approximate 26 square kilometers with no part of the land covered by water and a coastline of about 24 kilometers where the coral atolls are narrow and low-lying. The pacific ocean at zero meters below the sea level makes the lowest point while there is unnamed part of Tuvalu at five meters which is the highest point within the terrain of the country. Artificial water storage facilities are usually installed in many areas as the water catchments since there are no streams and river and even the ground water is not portable.

Climate of Tuvalu

Tuvalu has a period of Tua-o-lalo from October to March characterized with westerly gales and heavy rainfall while from April to November; the easterly trade wind moderates the tropical temperatures. The changes in the equatorial and central Pacific Ocean temperatures expose Tuvalu to the El Nino and La Nina effects increasing the chances of receiving the tropical and cyclones and even drought from the El Nina. Excessive deforestation due to increase in the demand of energy and the coral reefs damage due to increased temperature and acidification in the ocean are among the global issues affecting Tuvalu.

Natural Resources in Tuvalu

The small size of Tuvalu minimizes the occurrence of diverse natural resource although its arable lands have soils well adapted for the growth of coconut and the seas provide great fishing grounds in Tuvalu.

Tourist Attraction in Tuvalu

The strategic location of Tuvalu along the tropical climate provides ideal temperatures for the tourists to have fun at the beaches and even scuba diving in the beaches. The lovely atolls in archipelago including the exceptional Nanumea atoll with fresh water pond, the ocean water submerged Nanumanga fire caves with the stone and the coral blackened with fire and the extremely rare stamps collected at the Tuvalu Philatelic bureau are some of the place all the visitor coming to Tuvalu will have the desire to have a touch. Other special attractions you will come across in Tuvalu include the traditional cultural dancers and presentation at the Maneapa town hall in Funafuti and the remains of the American airstrip used in the world II found at Motulalo. The main cities in Tuvalu include:

• Funafuti
• Nanumanga
• Nanumea
• Niutao
• Nakufetau
• Nukulealea

Famous Hotels in Tuvalu

• Vaiaku Lagi Hotel
• Filamona Guesthouse Funafuti
• Hideaway Guesthouse Funafuti
• Afelita Bed and Breakfast
• Solomai Guesthouse Funafuti
• Fale Tolu Motel



Tuvalu Culture and Cuisine

Cowries and other shells are used as the traditional handicrafts by the women. The fatele traditional music is usually performed during community events and celebrations where the dancers have the special attire representing the Tuvaluan art and design. The hand-dyed pandanus leaf dress with strips is the distinctive traditional wear for the women. The most popular graphical artistry in Tuvalu involves the decoration of dancing skirts, mats and fan dyed fibers. Sundays are usually the resting days while the most celebrated day is the 1st October which was the Independence Day. Although English and Tuvaluan are the official languages, other languages such as Kiribati are spoken in the Nui Island. The cuisine of Tuvalu is marked with the coconuts and different species of fish from the ocean and the lagoons which are mainly the staple foods with pulaka and swamp taro as the source of carbohydrates. Sea foods and pork together with rice are used in many parties and occasion with the coconut used for its juice in form of coconut water and milk to make other beverages and the flesh of coconut used to add taste to the foods.



International and Domestic Airports in Tuvalu

Some of the important airports of Tuvalu are:
• Funafuti Atol international airport
• Namumea airfield
• Nakufetau airfield
Posted By : All Places Map Last Updated: September 13, 2015