Tuvalu

"Eight stand together"

Nation: Tuvalu National Day:

Tuvalu means, "Eight stand together". What is meant are the eight islands belonging to the state of Tuvalu. The country is one of the smallest and remotest island states there are: 11,000 people live on 26 square kilometres. They earn a living with fishing and the export of copra, the flesh of coconuts, and with crafts.

In 1565, the Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendaña discovered the islands. They became a British colony in World War I. In 1978, the country declared its independence. Most of the population in Tuvalu come from the neighbouring state of Samoa. But there are also inhabitants with European ancestors. Centuries ago they came to the islands as merchants or as shipwrecked persons. In the framework of the joint presentation of the Pacific island states, the country presents itself on its own island.