Tuvalu

Government
Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy

Geography
 Tuvalu consists of nine small islands scattered over 500,000 sq mi of the western Pacific, just south of the equator. The islands include Niulakita, Nukulaelae, Funafuti, Nukufetau, Vaitupu, Nui, Niutao, Nanumaga (Nanumanga), and Nanumea.
 
Historical Background In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period.

Capital

Funafuti

Government

Parliamentary Democracy & Constitutional monarchy 

-Monarch Elizabeth II 

-Governor General Iakoba Italeli 

-Prime Minister Willy Telavi

Area        

Total 26 km2 (226th) 10 sq mi         

Population     

-July 2010 estimate 10,472[2] (217th)

Currency

Tuvaluan dollar Australian dollar (AUD)