Tuvalu / formerly known as the Ellice Islands

Tuvalu / formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Hawaii and Australia. Its nearest neighbours are Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa and Fiji. It comprises four reef islands and five true atolls. Its population of 12,373 makes it the third-least-populated sovereign state in the world, with only Vatican City and Nauru having fewer inhabitants. In terms of physical land size, at just 26 square kilometres (10 sq mi) Tuvalu is the fourth smallest country in the world, larger only than the Vatican City at 0.44 km2 (0.17 sq mi), Monaco at 1.95 km2 (0.75 sq mi) and Nauru at 21 km2 (8.1 sq mi).

The first inhabitants of Tuvalu were Polynesian people. The islands came under the UK's sphere of influence in the late 19th century. The Ellice Islands were administered by Britain as part of a protectorate from 1892 to 1916 and as part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony from 1916 to 1974. In 1974, the Ellice Islanders voted for separate British dependency status as Tuvalu, separating from the Gilbert Islands which became Kiribati upon independence. Tuvalu became fully independent within the Commonwealth in 1978.Capital:Funafuti/Official language:Tuvaluan, English /Government:Parliamentary Democracy & Constitutional monarchy/Monarch: Queen Elizabeth II/Independence from the UK:1 October 1978 /Area Total: 26 km2 (226th)-10 sq mi/Population:July 2009 estimate: 12,373 (213th)/Currency:Tuvaluan dollar,Australian dollar (AUD)/Internet TLD.tv/ Calling code688.

The local unicameral parliament, or Fale I Fono, has 15 members and is elected every four years. Its members select a Prime Minister who is the head of government. The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Each island also has its own high-chief or ulu-aliki, and several sub-chiefs (alikis) and elders. The elders form together an island council of elders or te sina o fenua (literally:"grey-hairs"). In the past, another caste, namely the one of the priests (tofuga) was also amongst the decision-makers. The sina o fenua, aliki and ulu-aliki exercise informal authority on a local level. Ulu-aliki are always chosen based on ancestry, and their powers are now shared with the pule o kaupule (elected village presidents; one on each atoll).There are no formal political parties and election campaigns are largely on the basis of personal/family ties and reputation.

The highest court in Tuvalu is the High Court; there are eight Island Courts with limited jurisdiction. Rulings from the High Court can be appealed to the Court of Appeal of Tuvalu. From the Court of Appeal there is a right of appeal to Her Majesty in Council, i.e., the Privy Council in London.

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[emmakaisala]

I miss Tuvalu too :(

[matheona]

@emmakaisala I am pleased if my video make you to be a little bit closier to your Tuvalu.Have a nice day Yours matheona.

Also look at channel klimperklampersion to find Tuvalu anthem.......

[laevaangurl16]

i love this missin tu8 much :):)God Bless Tuvalu =]=]

[matheona]

@laevaangurl16 Thank you for watching matheona film and comment.

My motto is: To know is more...And if you want to know more click on Our matheona film channel.

So, I hope you stay with matheona film to know more and to help anothers to know more.... Have a nice night and a tomorrow day. Yours matheona.

[matheona]

Click for more info! To know more......... and enclose your comment Thank you Yours matheona

[johnny201222]

好懷念這裡是我經歷很開心童年往事的地方

我好懷念當年教導我的白人老師及我當年的同學和我當時跌​傷頭部到醫院給我聯針的黑人護士姑娘同我爸爸好友沈伯.​這些人永遠在我腦海中我永遠的懷念我真好想再到這裡一次​再看看當地熱情及善良的土著她們的舞蹈很美麗環境四面環​海海產亦發達，當時爸爸用兩樽啤酒土著就即活捉一隻龍蝦​給爸爸了.我還記得當時岸邊有艘破船小時候的我是覺得這​艘船很恐怖但爸爸經常帶我到這岸邊捉海鮮吃，常常有巨形​的螺食喇，爸爸又和他的同事及土著出海打魚有次捉了隻大​約個半人高的深海八爪魚喇、成個人高的深海魚喇它的魚眼​足足有一個飯碗大小似的真嚇人的吖！如果真的能時光倒流​就好了...因為當時我還有個爸爸...(｡-_-｡) 最後好多謝製作此視頻的朋友謝謝(^_−)−☆