Tuvalu: flag, capital, currency and history
Tuvalu is a country in Polynesia, Oceania. Its capital is Funafuti. The currency is the Australian dollar and Tuvaluan dollar. Languages spoken include English and Tuvaluan.
Quick facts about Tuvalu
- Official name
- Tuvalu
- Capital
- Funafuti
- Region
- Oceania, Polynesia
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD, $)
Tuvaluan dollar (TVD, $) - Languages
- English, Tuvaluan
- Calling code
- +688
- Internet domain
- .tv
- Area
- 26 km² (10 sq mi)
- Land borders
- None (island or surrounded by water)
- Demonym
- Tuvaluan
- National day
- Independence Day, October 1
Flag of Tuvalu
Download the flag of Tuvalu as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇹🇻.
History of Tuvalu
Tuvalu's nine low-lying islands were settled by Polynesian voyagers, probably from Samoa and Tonga, over many centuries before European contact. European sailors sighted the islands from the sixteenth century, and they became known as the Ellice Islands. Britain declared a protectorate over them in 1892, and in 1916 they were joined with the Gilbert Islands as a colony. The Ellice Islanders voted to separate in 1974, and the Ellice Islands became a separate colony as Tuvalu in 1975. Tuvalu became independent within the Commonwealth on 1 October 1978. Its capital is Funafuti.
Key dates
- 1892Britain declares a protectorate over the Ellice Islands.
- 1916The Gilbert and Ellice Islands become a British colony.
- 1974Ellice Islanders vote in a referendum to separate from the Gilbert Islands.
- 1975The Ellice Islands separate and are renamed Tuvalu.
- 1978Tuvalu becomes independent on 1 October.
- 2000Tuvalu joins the United Nations.
A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.
Currency of Tuvalu
Tuvalu uses the Australian dollar (AUD, $) and Tuvaluan dollar (TVD, $). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Tuvalu?
The capital of Tuvalu is Funafuti.
What currency does Tuvalu use?
Tuvalu uses the Australian dollar (AUD, symbol $) and Tuvaluan dollar (TVD, symbol $).
What languages are spoken in Tuvalu?
Languages used in Tuvalu include English and Tuvaluan.
What is the calling code of Tuvalu?
The international calling code of Tuvalu is +688. Its internet domain is .tv.
Which countries border Tuvalu?
Tuvalu has no land borders and is surrounded by water.
On which continent is Tuvalu?
Tuvalu is in Oceania, in the region of Polynesia.
What is the national day of Tuvalu?
Tuvalu marks Independence Day on October 1.
More countries in Polynesia
Country data from the open mledoze/countries dataset (ODbL), with corrections. Flags from flag-icons (MIT).