former: Ellice Islands

Data code: TV

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

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

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor General Sir Tomasi PUAPUA, M.D. (since NA
June 1998)
head of government: Prime Minister Bikenibeu PAENIU (since 23
December 1996) and Deputy Prime Minister Kokeiya MALUA (since 8
April 1998);
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the
recommendation of the prime minister
elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by
the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime
minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members
of Parliament; election last held 8 April 1998 (next to be held NA
2002)
election results: Bikenibeu PAENIU reelected prime minister by a
vote in Parliament of 10 to 2; Kokeiya MALUA elected deputy prime
minister; percent of Parliament vote--NA

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also
called House of Assembly (12 seats--two from each island with more
than 1,000 inhabitants, one from all the other inhabited islands;
members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 26-27 March 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002)
election results: percent of vote--NA; seats--independents 12

Judicial branch: eight Island Courts; High Court; note--a chief
justice visits twice a year to preside over sessions of the High
Court

Political parties and leaders: there are no political parties but
members of Parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings

International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C (special),
ESCAP, IFRCS (associate), Intelsat (nonsignatory user), ITU,
Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US: Tuvalu does not have an
embassy in the US

Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an
embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu

Flag description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of t