Tuvalu, pronounced 'too-VAH-loo', is an independent constitutional monarchy in the southwest Pacific Ocean between latitudes 5 degrees and 11 degrees south and longitudes 176 degrees and 180 degrees east. Formerly known as the Ellice Islands, they separated from the Gilbert Islands after a referendum in 1975, and achieved independence from Great Britain on October 1, 1978. The population of 11,305 live on Tuvalu's nine atolls, which have a total land area of 10 square miles, or 27 square kilometres. This ranks Tuvalu as the fourth smallest country in the world, in terms of land area. The country name roughly translates to '8 standing together'. The eight islands, from north to south, are: Nanumea, Niutao, Nanumaga, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae. The ninth island, tiny Niulakita, was inhabited only since the 1950's, and was not part of 'ancient' Tuvalu. Tuvalu is a 'special member' of the Commonwealth of Nations, eligible for benefits from its functional affiliates but not required to attend the Heads of Government Meetings. In 1986, Tuvaluans approved a new, locally written constitution.

Funafuti, pronounced 'foo-NAH-footi', is the capital of Tuvalu. The administration offices are all located in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet, Funafuti atoll.

People: Ethnic Tuvaluans are Polynesian, and account for 94% of the population. However, the majority of the 600 natives on Nui are of Gilbertese (Micronesian) origin. Most Tuvaluans are members of the Christian Church of Tuvalu (Ekalesia Kelisiano o Tuvalu), autonomous since 1968 and derived from the Congregationalist foundation of the London Missionary Society. Life, especially on outer islands, revolves around religion.

Demographics :
Population: 11,305 (July 2003 est.)

Languages : Tuvaluan (a Polynesian dialect), I-Kiribati, (Gilbertese), English

Age structure :
0-14 years : 31.9% (male 1,838, female 1,772)
5-64 years : 63% (male 3432; female 3,687)
65 years and over : 5.1% (male 231; female 345)
(July 2003 est)

Growth rate : 1.42% (July 2003 est.)

Sex ratio :
At birth : 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years : 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years : 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over : 0.86 male(s)/female
Total population : 0.94 male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate : 21.34 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth :
Total population : 67.32 years
Male : 65.15 years
Female : 69.59 years
(July 2003 est.)

Total fertility rate : 3.05 children born/woman

Birth rate : 23.31 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate : 7.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Net migration rate : 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Religions :
Church of Tuvalu : (Congregationalist) 97%
Seventh-Day Adventist : 1.4%
Baha'i : 1%
Other : 0.6%

Literacy : 93%
Note - education is free and compulsory from ages 6 through 15.