1982 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1982 (Wikisource)
Introduction
NOTE
On 1 October 1975, by Constitutional Order, the Ellice Islands were formally, separated from the British colony of Gilbert and Ellice Islands, thus forming the colony of Tuvalu. The remaining islands in the former Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony are now named Kiribati. Tuvalu includes the islands of Nanumanga, Nanumea, Nui, Niutao, Vaitupu, and the four islands of the Tuvalu group formerly claimed by the United States: Funafuti, Nukufetau, Nukulailai (Nukulaelae), and Nurakita (Niulakita).
Geography
Area
26 km2 WATER
Coastline
about 24 km
Limits of territorial waters
3 nm (fishing 200 nm, economic 200 nm)
People and Society
Ethnic divisions
96% Polynesian
Literacy
less than 50%
Nationality
noun—Tuvaluans(s); adjective—Tuvaluan
Population
9,000 (July 1982), average annual growth rate 1.4%
Religion
Protestant
Government
Capital
Funafuti
Government leader
Prime Minister Dr. Tomasi PUAPUA
House of Assembly
eight members
Official name
Tuvalu
Type
constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth
Economy
Aid
economic commitments—Western (non-US) countries, ODA (1970-79), $22 million
Budget
(1978) $1.6 million
Electric power
2,600 kW capacity (1979); 3.0 million kWh produced (1979), 433 kWh per capita
Exports
$67,000 (1977); copra
GNP
$1.2 million (1975), $180 per capita
Imports
$1.44 million (1977); food and mineral fuels
Major trade partners
Australia, UK
Monetary conversion rate
Australian (A)$1=US$1.12 (1979); A$1=US$1.14 (1978)
Communications
Airfields
1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Civil air
no major transport aircraft
Highways
8 km gravel
Inland waterways
none
Ports
1 minor
Railroads
none
Telecommunications
1 AM station; about 300 radio telephones (0.5 per 100 popl.); 4,000 radio sets