Tuvalu is an island nation that can be found in the Pacific Ocean. It is a part of Oceania and is located about halfway between Australia and Hawaii. Tuvalu is an archipelago and is made up of three reef islands and six atolls. The country was originally owned by the United Kingdom before gaining its independent in 1978.
The total land area of Tuvalu is about 10 square miles. The population is 11,192 based on data from the last census taken in 2017. This puts the population density at around 1,232 people per square miles, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The population of this country has grown at a slow but steady pace since the early 2000s. While global warming is a particular threat in this nation, the lifestyle and culture is attractive to immigrants.
The capital city is Funafuti, which also serves as the nation’s capital. This atoll is home to over 6,000 inhabitants – over half of the total population of the country. The atoll is smaller than one square mile, which makes it very densely populated. The largest island of Funafuti is Fongafale, which is home to four villages.
The major ethnic group of Tuvalu is Polynesian. The other ethnic group is Micronesian, but this group makes up just 5.6% of the total population. The nation has two national languages. Most inhabitants speak Tuvaluan, which is a Polynesian language. English is the other official language but is not commonly used.
Approximately 97% of the population are part of the Congregational Christian Church of Tuvalu. Although most inhabitants practice this religion, the nation has freedom of religion. Some minority religions include Seventh-day Adventist and Roman Catholicism.