TUVALU
Compiled from the December 2004 Background Note and supplemented with additional information from the State Department and the editors of this volume. See the introduction to this set for explanatory notes.
Official Name:
Tuvalu
PROFILE
Geography
Area: 26 sq. km.
City: Funafuti.
Terrain: Very low lying and narrow coral atolls.
Climate: Tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March-November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November-March).
People
Nationality: Noun—Tuvaluan (s); adjective—Tuvaluan.
Population: (2003 est.) 11,000. Age structure (2002 est.)—33% under 14; 5.1% over 64.
Growth rate: (2003 est.) 1.3%.
Ethnic groups: Polynesians 96%, Micronesians 4%.
Religions: Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%; Seventh-day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'I 1%, other 0.6%.
Languages: Tuvaluan, English. Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) also spoken.
Education: (2002) Literacy—92%.
Health: (2002 est.) Life expectancy—male 64.83 yrs; female 69.23 yrs. Infant mortality rate—22/1,000.
Work force: (2004 est.) 6,000.
Government
Type: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy.
Independence: (from U.K.) October 1, 1978.
Constitution: October 1, 1978.
Branches: Executive—Governor General (appointed by the British monarch on recommendation of the prime minister, who is head of the government, Cabinet. Legislative—unicameral Parliament, also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve 4-year term. Judicial—High Court with eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction). Rulings from High Court could be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Fiji.
Political parties: None.
Economy
GDP: (2003 est.) $22.8 million.
GDP per capita: (purchasing power parity, 2003 est.) $2,020.
Industry: Types—fishing, tourism (government and NGO officials on business), copra.
Trade: Exports (2004 est.)—__BODY__.45 million; stamps, copra, handicrafts. Major markets—U.K., Italy. Imports (2004 est.)—$22.2 million; food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods. Major sources—Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Germany.
GEOGRAPHY
The Western Pacific nation of Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is situated 4,000 kilometer (2,486 mi.) northeast of Australia. It is one half of the way from Hawaii to Australia. Tuvalu consists of four reef islands and five true atolls. Its small scattered group of atolls has poor soil and a total land area of only about 26sq. km. (less than 10 sq. mi.).
Tuvalu has westerly gales and heavy rain from November to March and tropical temperatures moderated by easterly winds from March-November. The land is very low lying with narrow coral atolls. The highest elevation is five meters above the sea level.
PEOPLE
96% of the Tuvaluans are ethnic Polynesians, closely related to the people of Samoa and Tonga. The vast majority belong to the Church of Tuvalu, a Protestant denomination. Their ancestors were converted by Christian missionaries decades ago.
HISTORY
The Spanish were the first Europeans to see the islands in the 1500s. However, in 1819 an American ship captain, De Peyster, named the main island in the group Ellice's Island after a British politician who owned the cargo aboard his ship. In 1841, the U.S. Exploring Expedition commanded by Charles Wilkes visited
three of Tuvalu's islands and welcomed visitors to his ships. Other early interactions with the outside world were far less benign—in 1863, hundreds of people from the southern islands were kidnapped when they were lured them aboard slave ships with promises that they would be taught about Christianity. Those islanders were forced to work under horrific conditions in the guano mines of Peru.
Eventually, the islands came under Britain's sphere of influence as the Pacific was divided up in the late 19th century. The Ellice Islands were administered by Britain as part of a protectorate (1892-1916) and as part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony (1916-74).
During World War II, several thousand American troops were in the islands. Beginning in October 1942, U.S. forces built airbases on the islands of Funafuti, Nanumea, and Nukufetau. Friendly cooperation was the hallmark of relations between the local people and the troops, mainly U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy SeaBees. The airstrip in the capital of Funafuti, originally built by the U.S. during the war, is still in use, as is the "American Passage" that was blasted through Nanumea's reef by SeaBees assisted by local divers.
In 1974 the Ellice Islanders voted for separate British dependency status as Tuvalu, separating from the Gilbert Islands which became Kiribati upon independence. Tuvalu became fully independent in 1978 and in 1979 signed a treaty of friendship with the United States, which recognized Tuvalu's possession of four small islands formerly claimed by the United States.
GOVERNMENT
Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state, represented by the Governor General, who is appointed by the Queen on advice of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is elected by the members of the Parliament. The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The legislative branch is a unicameral Parliament also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve 4-year terms.
Tuvalu maintains an independent judiciary consisting of a High Court and eight islands courts. The rulings of the High Court can be appealed to the Fiji Court of Appeal.
Principal Government Officials
Last Updated: 10/20/04
Governor General: Luka, Faimalaga
Prime Minister: Toafa, Maatia
Dep. Prime Min.: Sopoanga, Saufatu
Min. for Communications & Transport: Sopoanga, Saufatu
Min. for Education & Sports: Seluka, Alesana K., Dr.
Min. for Finance, Economic Planning, & Industries: Paeniu, Bikenibeu
Min. for Foreign Affairs: Toafa, Maatia
Min. for Health: Seluka, Alesana K., Dr.
Min. for Home Affairs, Rural & Urban Development: Pelesala, Leti
Min. for Labor: Toafa, Maatia
Min. for Natural Resources: Teo, Samuelu P.
Min. for Works & Energy: Sopoanga, Saufatu
Tuvalu maintains a diplomatic mission in New York at 800 2nd Ave, Suite 400B New York, New York 10017 (tel: 212-490-0534; fax: 212-937-0692).
POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Democratic values in Tuvalu are strong with free elections every 4 years by universal adult suffrage. Tuvalu does not face serious governance issues. There are no formal political parties in this country of only 11,000 people; election campaigns are largely on the basis of personal/family ties and reputation.
Members of Parliament have very close ties to the island they represent. Often the northern islands in the country compete against the southern islands with the center holding the balance of power. Traditional chiefs also still play a significant role in influencing island affairs, particularly on the outer islands. A long-held distinction between chiefs and commoners is slowly disappearing, and chiefs are now more often selected on merit rather than by birth.
Beginning with the death of Prime Minister Ionatana in late-2000, Tuvaulu has had a number of prime ministers. This in part reflects the pressures affecting the small nation, including the transition from an exchange economy to a money economy, an inherited system of government with only limited regard to Tuvaluan traditions of decision making, and the lack of clear path to implement Tuvalu's vision for the future.
Saufatu Sopoanga, a former civil servant, became Prime Minister in August 2002. He was replaced by Maatia Toafa in October 2004 after a vote of no confidence in August 2004. Toafa is the ninth Prime Minister of Tuvalu and also holds the portfolio of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labor.
ECONOMY
The economy suffers from Tuvalu's remoteness and lack of economies of scale. Virtually the only jobs in the islands that pay a steady wage or salary are with the government. Subsistence farming and fishing remain the primary economic activities, particularly off the capital island of Funafuti. There is no apparent huge disparity between rich and poor in the country.
The Australian dollar (A$) is the currency of Tuvalu. Tuvalu's GDP per capita was about U.S.$2,020 in 2004. Only 30% of the labor force participates in the formal wage economy. The remaining 70% are primarily in rural subsistence and livelihood activities. There is high youth unemployment and few new jobs being created. Meanwhile, there has been an inflow of people from the outer islands to Funafuti. Practical policies are needed for improvements to the livelihoods of the growing numbers of young Tuvaluans who aspire to a more affluent lifestyle than older generations.
About 800 Tuvalu men are employed abroad at any given time as miners in Nauru, or sailors, primarily on German-owned ships. Another 300 sailors are in Tuvalu on well-earned leave between rigorous, 12-plus-month cruises. Remittances from seafarers is a major source of income for families in the country. In 2002, the Asian Development Bank approved an assistance package to upgrade the Tuvalu Maritime Training Institute which trains young Tuvaluans so they can work aboard foreign vessels.
The Tuvalu Trust Fund (TTF), a prudently managed overseas investment fund, has contributed roughly 11% of the annual government budget each year since 1990. With a capital value of about 2.5 times GDP, the TTF provides an important cushion for Tuvalu's volatile income sources from fishing and royalties from the sale of the dot-TV domain. With an initial capital of about A$27 million at independence, it now totals about A$76 million.
Tuvalu is a safe country of unspoiled natural beauty and friendly people. Due to its remoteness, however, but also the current U.S.$600 return airfare to and from Fiji and the Marshall Islands on Air Fiji, only a handful of tourists visit Tuvalu annually. Almost all visitors are government officials, aid workers, non-governmental organization (NGO) officials or consultants.
Government revenues largely come from sales of stamps and coins, fishing licenses, income from the TTF, and from the lease of its highly fortuitous.tv Internet domain name. Domain name income paid most of the cost of paving the streets of Funafuti and installing street lighting in mid-2002.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Tuvalu maintains an independent but generally pro-Western foreign policy. It maintains close relations with Fiji and Australia. It has diplomatic relations with the Republic of China; Taipei maintains the only resident embassy in Tuvalu and has a large assistance program in the islands. No U.S. diplomats are resident in Tuvalu, but U.S. diplomats based in Fiji are accredited to Tuvalu and visit there regularly.
Tuvalu became a member of United Nations in 2000 and maintains a mission at the UN in New York. Tuvalu's only other diplomatic office is its High Commission in Suva, Fiji. Tuvalu is an active member of the Pacific Islands Forum. It also is a member of the Asian Development Bank.
A major international priority for Tuvalu in the UN, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and in other international fora is promoting concern about global warming and possible sea level rise. Tuvalu advocates ratification and implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. Tuvalu also takes an interest in the Republic of Nauru because of about 300 Tuvaluans working there. Many are allegedly owed substantial back wages.
Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
SUVA, Fiji (E) Address: 31 Loftus Street, Suva; Phone: 00679-331-4466; Fax: 00679-330-5106; INMARSAT Tel: 00679-330-1064; Workweek: 0800-1700; Website: www.Amembassy-Fiji.gov
| AMB: |
David L. Lyon |
| AMB OMS: |
Rosmary M. Patterson |
| DCM: |
Vacant |
| POL: |
Edmond E. Seay |
| COM: |
John B. Emery |
| CON: |
Kirk D. Lindly |
| MGT: |
Jeffrey J. Robertson |
| AFSA: |
Ryan C. Rhea |
| CLO: |
Kelli Lewis |
| DAO: |
Vacant |
| ECO: |
Edmond E. Seay |
| EEO: |
John B. Emery |
| FMO: |
Jeffrey J. Robertson |
| GSO: |
Vacant |
| ICASS Chair: |
Kirk D. Lindly |
| IMO: |
Ryan C. Rhea |
| ISO: |
Ryan C. Rhea |
| ISSO: |
Ryan C. Rhea |
| PAO: |
John B. Emery |
| RSO: |
Wade W. Burton |
| Last Updated: 8/17/2004 |
TRAVEL
Consular Information Sheet
December 8, 2004
Country Description: Tuvalu is a South Pacific island nation consisting of four reef islands and five atolls. A self-governing member of the British Commonwealth, Tuvalu has a parliamentary system of government.
Entry/Exit Requirements: A passport, onward/return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds for the trip are required. Visitor permits valid for up to three months are issued upon arrival. For further information about entry requirements, travelers may wish to contact the Tuvalu Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, Suite 400 B, 800 2nd Avenue, NY 10017, tel: (212) 490-0534, fax: (212) 808-4975. This is particularly true for those persons planning to enter by sea. See our Foreign Entry Requirements brochure for more information on Tuvalu and other countries.
Safety and Security: For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Americans in Tuvalu requiring immediate emergency assistance should call the 24-hour police command center in Tuvalu at (688) 20726.
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
Crime: Tuvalu has a low crime rate. However, visitors should not be complacent regarding personal safety or the protection of valuables.
Information for Victims of Crime: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney, if needed. See our information on Victims of Crime at http://travel.state.gov/travel/brochure_victim_assistance.html.
Medical Facilities and Health Information: Medical and dental care is very limited in the capital of Funafuti. Serious medical problems are referred to Guam or Hawaii. Serious medical conditions requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's (WHO) web-site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.
Medical Insurance: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.
Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Tuvalu is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Traffic moves on the left in Tuvalu. The few roads on these tiny islands are generally unpaved. Animals and unwary pedestrians walking in the road make night driving on unlit secondary roads hazardous. For specific information concerning Tuvalu driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Tuvalu Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. Please refer to our Road Safety page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroadroadsafety.html for more information.
Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service between the United States and Tuvalu, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Tuvalu's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with ICAO international aviation safety standards. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. At 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's internet web site, http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm.
Special Circumstances: In Tuvalu, the Australian dollar is the legal currency. Traveler's checks and all major currencies are accepted by banks and may also be exchanged for local currency at some local hotels. Visa and MasterCard are accepted at most hotels.
Tuvalu's customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Tuvalu of items such as agricultural products. It is advisable to contact the Office of the Tuvalu Permanent Representative in New York, for specific information regarding customs requirements.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times, so that, if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available. If detained, U.S. citizens are encouraged to request that a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji be notified.
Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than those in the United States for similar offenses.
Persons violating Tuvalu law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Engaging in illicit sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.
Children's Issues: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children's Issues website at http://travel.state.gov/family/index.html.
Registration/Embassy Location: There is no U.S. Embassy or diplomatic post in Tuvalu. The U.S. Embassy in Fiji provides assistance for U.S. citizens in Tuvalu. Americans living or traveling in Tuvalu are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Suva through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Tuvalu. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Embassy is located at 31 Loftus Street in Fiji's capital city of Suva. The telephone number is (679) 331-4466; the fax number is (679) 330-2267. Information may also be obtained by visiting the Embassy's home page at http://www.amembassy-fiji.gov. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
