Tuvalu is getting smaller. If the sea level keeps rising at the same rate, this country will be covered by water in about 50 years.[6]
The most important languages spoken in Tuvalu are Tuvaluan and English.[5]
The United States and Tuvalu signed a treaty of friendship in 1979, when the US gave up their claim to Tuvalu for the islands of Funafuti, Nukefetau, Nukulaelae, and Nurakita.
History
Prehistory
Before the Europeans showed up, a lot of people rode canoes between the nearer islands. These include Samoa and Tonga.[7] Eight of the nine islands of Tuvalu had people on them. This explains the origin of the name Tuvalu, which means "eight standing together" in Tuvaluan. Possible evidence of man-made fires in the Caves of Nanumanga says that humans may have been there for thousands of years.
An important creation myth in Tuvalu is the story of te Pusi mo te Ali (the Eel and the Flounder), who are said to have created the islands of Tuvalu. Te Ali (the flounder) is believed to have made the flat atolls of Tuvalu and te Pusi (the eel) is the model for the coconut palms that are important to Tuvaluans. The stories of the ancestors of the Tuvaluans change from island to island. On Niutao,[8]Funafuti and Vaitupu, the founding ancestor is said to be from Samoa.[9][10] On Nanumea, the founding ancestor is said to be from Tonga.[9]
Tuvalu was first seen by Europeans on 16 January 1568, during the voyage of Álvaro de Mendaña from Spain. He sailed past Nui and named it Isla de Jesús (Spanish for "Island of Jesus") because the day before was the feast of the Holy Name. Mendaña talked to the islanders but could not land.[12][13] During Mendaña's second voyage across the Pacific, he passed Niulakita on 29 August 1595, which he named La Solitaria.[13][14]
In 1974, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands were given a ministerial government. In that year a general election was held,[17] and a referendum was held to decide whether the Gilbert Islands and Ellice Islands should have separate governments.[18] After the referendum, separation happened in two stages. The Tuvaluan Order 1975, which took effect on 1 October 1975, recognised Tuvalu as a separate British dependency with its own government.[19] The second stage happened on 1 January 1976, when separate governments were created out of the civil service of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony.[20]: 169 [21]
On 15 November 2022, Tuvalu announced that it will become the first country in the world to build a replica of itself in the metaverse. The country wants to preserve its cultural heritage by doing this.[25]
Tuvalu has four reef islands and five true atolls. The atolls have only 26 km of land. Tuvalu is the fourth smallest country in the world. The land is very low lying and the coral atolls are narrow. Funafuti is the largest atoll of the islands and atolls. It has many islets around a central lagoon. This is about 25.1 kilometres (15.6 mi) (N–S) by 18.4 kilometres (11.4 mi) (W-E), centered on 179°7’E and 8°30’S.
The highest height is 4.5 metres (15 ft) above sea level,[26] which gives Tuvalu the second-lowest highest elevation of any country (after the Maldives). Because of this, the islands that make up Tuvalu are threatened by any sea level rise. If this happens, the people will have to go to New Zealand, Niue or the Fijian island of Kioa. Tuvalu is also affected by what is known as a king tide, which can raise the sea level higher than a normal high tide.[27]
↑Maude, H.E. "Spanish discoveries in the Central Pacific. A study in identification", in Journal of the Polynesian Society, Wellington, LXVIII, (1959), pp.299,303.
↑ 20.020.1Isala, Tito (1983). "Chapter 20, Secession and Independence". In Laracy), Hugh (ed.). Tuvalu: A History. University of the South Pacific/Government of Tuvalu.
↑Sapoaga, Enele (1983). "Chapter 19, Post-War Development". In Laracy, Hugh (ed.). Tuvalu: A History. University of the South Pacific/Government of Tuvalu. pp. 146–152.
↑Cabinet, Department of the Premier and (1 July 2019). "Independence Day – Tuvalu". Government of South Australia, Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Retrieved 29 September 2020.[permanent dead link]
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