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Tuvalu is one the the smallest nations from a viewpoint of land area, but it covers and immense area of around 350,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean. It was once the Ellice half of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands until it gained its independence in 1978. Tuvalu became a member of the United Nations in 2000
Capital: Fongafale
Airports: There are twice-weekly flights from Suva airport in Fiji to Funafuti, the main island in the group and the only one with scheduled commercial passenger service.
Time Zones: Current local time. Standard time is 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Currency: The basic unit is the Tuvaluan dollar ($T) which consists of 100 cents. Visit the O and A web site for currency exchange rates.
Hotel accommodations are limited.
Visit the CIA World Fact Book web site for a wide variety of particulars regarding Tuvalu.
The Tuvalu Online has a good selection of information to aid in travel planning.
An article from the Guardian Unlimited describes how global warming threatens Tuvalu and other parts of the world.
Travel Advisories: Travelers should check the web sites listed on our international pages that provide advice of possible security and health risks when visiting this region.