other: 100% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level
Environment - current issues: since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities (the Japanese Government has built one desalination plant and plans to build one other); beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu is very concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table
Environment - international agreements: party to: Climate Change,
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
Tuvalu People
Population: 10,991 (July 2001 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.28% (male 1,862; female 1,796)
15-64 years: 61.6% (male 3,241; female 3,529)