Line #1 UsefulNotes/Tuvalu


1	[[quoteright:329:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tuvalu_3268.gif]]
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3	'''Tuvalu''' is a small country formed by a volcanic island chain that has the distinction of being one of the least populous countries in the world, after UsefulNotes/VaticanCity and before UsefulNotes/{{Nauru}}, with a population of about 11,000. Considering that the Vatican is almost like a room (complete with the fact that it’s surrounded by walls), it says a lot. Of course, Tuvalu is also one of the smallest countries in the world, with a total land area of just 10 square miles.
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5	Tuvaluans speak a Polynesian language that is closely related to Samoan, and more distantly to Hawaiian and Maori. Tuvaluan legends contend that Tuvaluans were descended primarily from Samoans, with Tongans also providing additional admixture when they ruled the islands in the 13th century. Eight of the nine main islands were inhabited, so the term "Tuvalu" was coined for the islands (''valu'' means "eight" in Tuvaluan).
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7	The islands were first sighted by Europeans in 1568. For a while, the British and Germans jostled over control, until they reached an agreement to divide the Pacific in half. In 1892, the British declared Tuvalu, then known as the Ellice Islands, a protectorate. For most of the colonial period, it was grouped together with the Gilbert Islands (present-day UsefulNotes/{{Kiribati}}).
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9	In 1974, the Ellice and Gilbert Islands separated after a referendum. In 1978, the former declared independence from the UsefulNotes/UnitedKingdom as Tuvalu. On September 5th, 2000, it became the 189th member of the UsefulNotes/UnitedNations. Tuvalu remains a Commonwealth Realm, which means it still recognizes the British monarch as its head of state.
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11	Like Kiribati, it is very susceptible to sea level rising and passing storms, which is understandable considering the islands are less than five meters above sea level. As a result, it is one of the countries most interested in matters pertaining to [[GlobalWarming climate change]], since it fears its choices are "stop climate change" or "evacuate at some point in the next few centuries".
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13	The country has just one airport, the Funafuti International Airport, which is connected solely with UsefulNotes/{{Fiji}} (there used to be airports in Nanumea and Nukufetau, but both were abandoned after UsefulNotes/WorldWarII). The country also has no official military force. As for currency, it has a deal with UsefulNotes/{{Australia}} to mint special coins to be used to in Tuvalu, which are pegged to the Australian dollar. Otherwise, it uses the Australian dollar for banknotes.
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15	Happily, Tuvalu happened to be assigned ".tv" as its internet domain name, and made a lot of money around the TurnOfTheMillennium by selling it to television companies who wanted .tv websites.
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17	[[AC:The Tuvaluan flag]]
18	https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tuvalu_flag_1785.png
19	->Deviating from the standard British "blue ensign," the Tuvaluan flag's field is sky-blue, representing the Pacific Ocean. At the fly side is an array of nine stars, representing the accurate positioning of Tuvalu's main islands turned on its side (i.e., east is facing up) -- Funafuti, Nanumanga, Nanumea, Niulakita, Niutao, Nui, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae and Vaitupu.
20	----
21	[[AC:The Tuvaluan national anthem]]
22
23	->Tuvalu mo te Atua,
24	->Ko te Fakavae sili,
25	->Ko te ala foki tena,
26	->Mo te manuia katoa
27	->Loto lasi o fai,
28	->Tou malo saoloto
29	->Fusi ake katoa
30	->Ki te loto alofa
31	->Kae amo fakatasi
32	->Ate atu fenua.
33	->Tuvalu mo te Atua
34	->Ki te se gata mai!
35
36	->Tuku atu tau pulega
37	->Ki te pule mai luga,
38	->Kilo tonu ki ou mua
39	->Me ko ia e tautai.
40	->Pule tasi mo ia
41	->Ki te se gata mai,
42	->Ko tena mana
43	->Ko tou malosi tena.
44	->Pati lima kae kalaga
45	->Ulufonu ki te tupu.
46	->Tuvalu ko tu saoloto
47	->Ki te se gata mai!
48
49	--
50
51	->Tuvalu for the Almighty
52	->Are the words we hold most dear
53	->For as people or as leaders
54	->Of Tuvalu we all share
55	->In the knowledge that God
56	->Ever rules in heav’n above,
57	->And that we in this land
58	->Are united in His love.
59	->We build on a sure foundation
60	->When we trust in God’s great law
61	->Tuvalu for the Almighty
62	->Be our song for evermore!
63
64	->Let us trust our lives henceforward
65	->To the King to whom we pray,
66	->With our eyes fixed firmly on Him
67	->He is showing us the way.
68	->May we reign with Him in glory
69	->Be our song for evermore,
70	->for His almighty power
71	->Is our strength from shore to shore.
72	->Shout aloud in jubilation
73	->To the King whom we adore.
74	->Tuvalu free and united
75	->Be our song for evermore!
76	----
77	[[AC:Government]]
78	* Unitary non-partisan parliamentary constitutional monarchy
79	** Monarch: Charles III
80	** Governor-General: Tofiga Vaevalu Falani
81	** Prime Minister: Feleti Teo
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83	[[AC:Miscellaneous]]
84	* '''Capital and largest city:''' Funafuti
85	* '''Population:''' 11,646
86	* '''Area:''' 26 sq km (10 sq mi) (191st)
87	* '''Currency:''' Tuvaluan dollar (TV$) (TVD), Australian dollar (AU$) (AUD)
88	* '''ISO-3166-1 Code:''' TV
89	* '''Country calling code:''' 688
90	* '''Highest point:''' Niulakita (5 m/15 ft) (202nd)

Context UsefulNotes / Tuvalu