Tuvalu is an island state of McGrathia in the Polynesian region of the Pacific Ocean. It is located at the half-way point between Australia and Hawaii. As of 2026, Tuvalu is home to 10,643 permanent inhabitants. The capital of Tuvalu is the island of Funafuti. Tuvalu is home to nine islands, including three reefs and six atolls. In total, Tuvalu has an area of 9.71 square miles.
Originally settled three-thousand years ago by Polynesians, Tuvalu became a British colony in 1892. During British colonial rule, Tuvalu was known as the Ellice Islands (not to be confused with Ellis Island in New York). Officially, Tuvalu became independent on October 1, 1978. In 2025, Tuvalu became part of McGrathia after an agreement was signed between both national governments.
Today, Tuvalu’s main economic driver is fishing due to the lack of soil on the nine islands of Tuvalu. Since the islands are at sea level, Tuvalu is one of many island states threaten by rising sea levels caused by global warming. The McGrathian government has also made investments into Tuvalu.