Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor Prime minister: Willy Telavi Tuvalu has no political parties. Allegiances revolve around personalities and geography. The 15-member parliament is popularly elected every four years. The prime minister is chosen by MPs.
Population
170,123,740
10,619
Life Expectancy
52.050 years
65.110 years
Capital City
Abuja
Largest city
Lagos (population: 9,000,000)
Funafuti (population: 4,749)
Human Development Index
0.499
0
GDP per capita
$2,600 US
Literacy Rate
68%
%
Corruption Perception Index
2.7
NA
Percentage of Women in Parliament
7.3%
0%
Wealthiest Citizens
Aliko Dangote ($2.5bn US)
NA
Unemployment Rate
21.000%
Death Penalty
Legal
Abolished
Political System
federal republic
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy
Independence date
1 October 1960 (from UK)
Religions
Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6%
Languages
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani
Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber
External Debt
$10,430,000,000 $
Exchange Rate
nairas (NGN) per US dollar - 117.8 (2008 est.), 127.46 (2007), 127.38 (2006), 132.59 (2005), 132.89 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
4
0
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Area
923,768 km sq
26 km sq
Coastline
853 km
24 km
Climate
varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)
