| location | |
 | |
| flag | |
 | |
| Short dates | |
| Capital | Funafuti |
|---|---|
| Form of government | Constitutional monarchy in the Commonwealth |
| currency | 1 Australian dollar (A $) = 100 cents |
| surface | 26 km² |
| population | 11.600 |
| languages | Tuvalu, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island Nui) |
| Religions | Christians |
| Phone code | 688 |
| Internet TLD | .tv |
| Time zone | CET 11 a.m. |
Tuvalu, formerly the Ellice Islands, is an island nation in Oceania. The location is about 1000 km west of Fiji, halfway between Hawaii and Australia and at almost the same longitude as New Zealand. The name means eight islands. The inhabitants are Polynesians.
Regions
Tuvalu is divided into nine inhabited islands that are connected by ferries. The seat of government is on the Funafuti atoll.
places
- Vaiaku is the seat of government on Funafuti. About half of the country's almost 10,000 inhabitants live on this island.
background
The country's atolls are acutely threatened by rising sea levels due to climate change. Every year around 1,600 tourists come.
getting there
Dynamic cardsEntry requirements
A passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned stay is required to enter the country. Since July 2016, citizens of the Schengen countries have been free of visas for up to 90 days. The German child ID is not recognized. Children must therefore travel with their own children's passport. Departure Tax: AUD $ 30.00
- Duty Free Allowances
From 18: 1 bottle of alcohol, 200 cigarettes.
By plane
Traveling from Europe is quite complicated. The best option is a flight from Europe to Fiji. Fiji Airways operates the route Nadi International Airport (NAN) - Funafuti (FUN) twice a week (2016: Tuesday and Friday).
The runway of the
runs parallel to the main town Vaiaku, which can be easily reached on foot. The arrival of the machines is announced by sirens to warn people walking on the runway (not fenced).By boat
There are regular ferries from the Fiji Islands.
mobility
The individual islands are connected by freighters that also serve as ferries. There are no flights to the outer islands. Depending on the island, the schedule is very different, there can be weeks between visits.
language
Mainly Tuvalu is spoken. Tourists also get along well with English on the main island.
to buy
The local currency is the Tuvalu dollar, which is pegged 1: 1 to the Australian dollar and whose banknotes are in circulation in the country. There are only (collector) coins of the Tuvalu dollar. The National Bank of Tuvalu (NBT), directly opposite the airport terminal, (Mon-Thu, 10 am-2pm, Fri. to 1pm).
There is no way to withdraw money from ATMs in Tuvalu. Credit cards are also not accepted. It is therefore important to bring enough cash with you for a stay.
There are no souvenir shops. The Women's Handicraft Center opens his booth at the airport on days with flights.
kitchen
Licensing follows the Australian model of the "license," not all restaurants have one.
nightlife
Thursdays and Saturdays.
accommodation
An overview of the accommodations on the main island of Funafuti, with booking options, is provided by Tourist Office website.
public holidays
The usual Christian holidays of Christmas, New Year and Easter include: Commonwealth Day, on the 2nd Monday in March; Gospel Day on the 2nd Monday in May, Queen's Official Birthday, in June; National Children's Day, 1st Monday in August; Tuvalu Day October 1st and 2nd; Heir to the Throne's Birthday, 2nd Monday in November. There are also regional holidays on various islands.
security
There is no military, but there is a small police force. Crimes rarely occur; in the years since 2010, never more than eleven people have been in prison at the same time. On the smaller islands, the “chiefs” within the clan system are also comparatively effective law enforcement officers.
The police station is right next to the airport.
health
The only real hospital is on the main island of Funafuti; with dental clinic.
There are no fresh water springs, streams or lakes. Drinking water is obtained from collected rainwater.
climate
Tuvalu has a tropical climate with average temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius. The rainy season, during which heavy rain can occur, is between November and February. At this time of year, typhoons sometimes move over the islands.
respect
Homosexual acts are armed with up to 14 years imprisonment under the criminal law, but persecution has not taken place for years.
Post and Telecommunications
Country code: 688, telephone numbers are 5 digits.
Communication services are provided by the state Tuvalu Telecommunications Corporation ready. Cellular is only available on Funafuti, Vaitupu and Nukulaelae. The only cell tower of the 3G network in Vaiaku, which was switched on in 2014, is designed for 60 simultaneous calls. Internet services also run via satellite and are comparatively slow with a maximum of 1.5 Mbit. In 2016 a 5-year expansion phase began, after which speeds of 80-125 Mbit / s will be possible, but the bandwidth must be shared by all participants. Radio Tuvalu only broadcasts on medium wave.
SIM cards (AU $ 10 with $ 5 credit) are sold by TTC, which is located right next to the police station and the post office at the airport.
literature
Relevant South Pacific travel guides.
Web links
- http://www.tuvaluislands.com/ - Tuvalu official website
- The disappearing of Tuvalu - Documentation on the effects of global warming on the atoll
