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.
Cypriot president: Demetris Christofias
Population
10,619
1,138,071
Life Expectancy
65.110 years
78.000 years
Capital City
Nicosia (Lefkosia)
Largest city
Funafuti (population: 4,749)
Nicosia (population: 200,452)
Human Development Index
0
0.912
GDP per capita
$29,400 US
Literacy Rate
%
97.6%
Corruption Perception Index
NA
6.4
Percentage of Women in Parliament
0%
14.3%
Wealthiest Citizens
NA
John Fredriksen ($4.0bn US)
Unemployment Rate
7.700%
Death Penalty
Abolished
Abolished
Political System
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy
republic note: a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in July 1974 that followed a Greek junta-supported coup attempt gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north; Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government; on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot "President" Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), which is recognized only by Turkey
Independence date
16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these proclamations are only recognized by Turkey
Religions
Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6%
Greek Orthodox 78%, Muslim 18%, other (includes Maronite and Armenian Apostolic) 4%
Languages
Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)
Greek, Turkish, English
Exports
citrus, potatoes, pharmaceuticals, cement, and clothing
External Debt
$35,870,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.673 (2008 est.), Cypriot pounds (CYP) per US dollar - 0.4286 (2007), 0.4586 (2006), 0.4641 (2005), 0.4686 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
3.800%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey
Area
26 km sq
9,251 km sq
Coastline
24 km
648 km
Climate
tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)
temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
