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Funafuti; note - administrative offices are located in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet

11,468 (July 2004 est.)

In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over the next dozen years.

constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy; began debating republic status in 1992

purchasing power parity - $12.2 million NA (2000 est.)

1,300 (2002)

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