Country name: conventional long form : none conventional short form: Tuvalu former: Ellice Islands
Data code: TV
Government type: democracy; began debating republic status in 1992
National capital: Funafuti
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 1 October 1978 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1978)
Constitution: 1 October 1978
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal