Oceania/Polynesia
Tuvalu
Funafuti
10.6K
26 km²
Australian dollar, Tuvaluan dollar
Coastal
English, Tuvaluan
Historical Events
1568 - First European Contact
Spanish explorer Álvaro de Mendaña becomes the first European to sight Tuvalu.
1819 - Naming of Funafuti
The island of Funafuti is named Ellice's Island.
1892 - British Protectorate
Tuvalu is declared a British protectorate by Captain Herbert Gibson.
1974 - Referendum for Administration
A referendum determines separate administration for Gilbert and Ellice Islands.
1975 - End of Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony
The colony officially ceases to exist, leading to the formation of Tuvalu.
1978 - Tuvalu Independence
Tuvalu becomes fully independent as a sovereign state within the Commonwealth.
2000 - UN Membership
Tuvalu becomes the 189th member of the United Nations.