Tuvalu is one of the world's smallest and lowest-lying nations, a Polynesian Pacific atoll chain only metres above sea level, deeply threatened by rising sea levels and climate change.
Geography & landscape
Tuvalu sits in Polynesia, in the southern hemisphere of Oceania. With an area of approximately 26 km², it is a compact territory, set in the southern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Funafuti, lies near coordinates -7.48°, 179.2°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Oceania, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Polynesia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Tuvalu.
People & society
The population of Tuvalu is around 11K. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Tuvalu recognises multiple official languages — Tuvaluan and English — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Tuvalu is structured as a parliamentary republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Funafuti, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Tuvalu is the Australian Dollar (AUD), Tuvaluan Dollar. Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Funafuti and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Tuvalu shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Tuvalu through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Funafuti, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +688, and clocks are set to the TVT (UTC+12) time zone. ISO standards identify Tuvalu as TV (alpha-2) and TUV (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇹🇻, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Funafuti | — |
| Continent | Oceania | — |
| Sub-region | Polynesia | — |
| Population | 11K | people |
| Area | 26 | km² |
| Currency | Australian Dollar (AUD), Tuvaluan Dollar | — |
| Calling code | +688 | international dialling |
| Time zone | TVT (UTC+12) | standard time |
| Government type | Parliamentary republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | TV | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | TUV | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | -7.48 | degrees |
| Longitude | 179.2 | degrees |
Did you know?
Tuvalu earns significant revenue licensing its '.tv' internet domain — used by streaming sites like Twitch.tv.
