Tu·va·lu [ too vloo, tvə l ]country consisting of coral islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Fiji and Samoa, each about 1,050 km (650 mi) away, are the islands' nearest neighbors. It became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1978. Languages: English, Tuvaluan. Currency: Australian dollar. Capital: Funafuti. Population: 12,373 (2009 estimate).
Area: 26 sq km (10 sq mi) Former name Ellice Islands until 1975
