According to eningbo, Tuvalu in 2012 was an independent, sovereign nation located in the Pacific Ocean, consisting of 9 islands and atolls with a total land area of 26 km2 and a population of around 11,000 people. It is situated 4,000 km northeast of Australia and 2,500 km southwest of Hawaii. The official language is Tuvaluan although English is also widely spoken. The capital city is Funafuti which is home to around 5,000 people. Tuvalu has a long history stretching back thousands of years when it was first inhabited by Polynesian settlers from Tonga and Samoa. It achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1978 when it became a constitutional monarchy with an elected prime minister as head of state. The economy of Tuvalu is largely driven by its fishing industry which accounts for around 50% of GDP while agriculture and tourism are also important sectors. Major exports include fish, copra and handicrafts which are exported to countries such as Japan and South Korea. Despite its strong economic performance there are still areas where poverty remains an issue with some estimates suggesting that around 30% of the population lives below the poverty line. The government has made efforts to reduce poverty through initiatives such as job creation schemes but more needs to be done to ensure that all members of society benefit from economic growth and development. Additionally, due to its low-lying nature Tuvalu is highly vulnerable to climate change with rising sea levels threatening many coastal settlements as well as impacting agricultural production due to saltwater intrusion into freshwater systems. Tuvalu is a small island nation in the South Pacific Ocean located halfway between Australia and Hawaii. It is made up of nine low-lying atolls with a total land area of 26 square kilometers and a population of around 11,000 people. The capital city, Funafuti, is home to around 4,500 people. The climate in Tuvalu is tropical with hot temperatures year round. The main language spoken in Tuvalu is Tuvaluan but English is also widely used as the language of government and education. The currency used in the country is the Australian dollar (AUD). The economy of Tuvalu relies heavily on remittances from its citizens abroad as well as the sale of postage stamps to collectors worldwide. Fishing and subsistence agriculture are also important sources of income for many households in the country. Tuvalu has a rich culture that is deeply rooted in its Polynesian heritage. Traditional music and dance are popular forms of entertainment throughout the islands while handicrafts such as basket weaving remain an important part of everyday life for many people living there. Religion plays an important role in everyday life for many people with most being members of either Protestant or Catholic denominations. Politically, Tuvalu has been an independent nation since 1978 but still maintains close ties to Australia and New Zealand through its membership in organizations such as the Commonwealth and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). A parliamentary democracy exists within the country with executive power vested in Queen Elizabeth II who is represented by a Governor General appointed by her on advice from Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga’s Cabinet. Despite having limited resources, Tuvalu continues to play an active role on issues related to climate change due to its vulnerability to rising sea levels caused by global warming. Check computerannals for Tuvalu in 2003.