Fakavae Aliki-Malo i Tuvalu

Political Status: Former British dependency; independent with “special membership” in the Commonwealth since October 1, 1978.

Land Area: 10 sq. mi. (26 sq. km.).

Resident Population: 9,561 (2002C); 14,200 (2007E). Both figures are exclusive of more than 3,000 Tuvaluans living overseas.

Major Urban Center (2005E): VAIAKU (Funafuti, 6,200).

Official Language: English (Tuvaluan is widely spoken).

Monetary Unit: Australian Dollar (market rate November 1, 2008: 1.52 dollars = $1US). A Tuvaluan coinage (at par with the Australian) was introduced in 1977 but is circulated largely for numismatic purposes.

Sovereign: Queen ELIZABETH II.

Governor General: Rev. Filoimea TELITO; sworn in on April 15, 2005, to succeed Faimalaga LUKA.

Prime Minister: Apisai IELEMIA; elected by parliament on August 14, 2006, to succeed Maatia TOAFA, following the election of August 3, ...