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; Re-adopted 11 Apr 1997                         1 Oct 1995 - 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 1978) Capital: Fongafale (on Funafuti) Currency: Tuvaluan Dollar (TVD); Australian Dollar (AUD) National Holiday: 1 Oct (1978) Independence Day Population: 11,992 (2007) GDP: $14.9 million (2002) Exports: $1 million (2004) Imports: $9.1 million (2004)  Ethnic groups: Tuvaluan (Polynesian) 96.3%, mixed (Pacific Islander- European-Asian) 1%, Micronesian 1%, European 0.5%,  other 1.2% (2000) Total Police Force: 70 (2002) Merchant marine: 52 ships (2006) Religions: Church of Tuvalu (Congregational) 85.4%,  Seventh-Day Adventist 3.6%, Roman Catholic 1.4%,  Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, Baha'i 1%, other 7.5% (1995)  International Organizations/Treaties: ACP, ADB, C, FAO, ICAO (observer), IFRCS (observer), IMO, IOC, 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).

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 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)
 1 Mar 1986 -  1 Oct 1990  Sir Tupua Leupena                  (b. 1922 - d. 1996)
 1 Oct 1990 -  1 Dec 1993  Sir Toaripi Lauti                  (b. 1928)
 1 Dec 1993 - 21 Jun 1994  Tomu Sione                         (b. 1941)
21 Jun 1994 - 26 Jun 1998  Tulaga Manuella                    (b. 1936)
                             (from 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

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
                             (from 1980, Toaripi Lauti)                    
 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                                         Non-party
27 Aug 2004 - 14 Aug 2006  Maatia Toafa                       (b. 1954)             Non-party
                             (acting to 11 Oct 2004)
14 Aug 2006 -              Apisai Ielemia                                           Non-party

  ¹Full style: "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