Funafuti

Funafuti

Funafutiis thecapitalof the small island nation ofTuvalu.It has a population of 4,492 (2002), making it the most populated atoll in this country. It is a narrow sweep of land between 20 and 400 meters wide. There is anairstrip,hotel (Vaiaku Langi Hotel), and administrative buildings, as well as homes, constructed both in the traditional manner, out of palmfronds,and more recently out of cement blocks. The most prominent building on Funafuti atoll is theChurch of Tuvalu.Other sites of interest are the remains of American aircraft that crashed on Funafuti duringWorld War II,when the airstrip was used by the American forces to defend the Gilbert Islands (nowKiribati). TheUnited Statesclaimed Funafuti until a treaty of friendship was concluded in the late 70's or early 80's.

The largest island isFongafale.On this island, there are four villages, of which one isVaiaku,where the government is. The capital of Tuvalu is sometimes given as Fongafale or Vaiaku, but the entire atoll of Funafuti is actually the capital.

Islands in Funafuti

There are at least 33islandsin the atoll. The biggest is Fongafale, followed by Funafala. At least three islands are inhabited, which areFongafale,FunafalaandMotuloa.

• Amatuku
• Avalau
• Falaoigo
• Fale Fatu(orFalefatu)
• Fatato
• Fongafale
• Fuafatu
• Fuagea
• Fualefeke(orFualifeke)
• Fualopa
• Funafala
• Funamanu
• Luamotu
• Mateika
• Motugie
• Motuloa
• Mulitefala
• Nukvalevale
• Papa Elise(orFunangongo)
• Pukasavilivili
• Te Afuafou
• Te Afualiku
• Tefala
• Telele
• Tengako(peninsula of the island ofFongafale)
• Tengasu
• Tepuka
• Tepuka Vili Vili
• Tutanga
• Vasafua
• And at least 5 other islands

Bays and streets in Funafuti

• Te Ava Pua Pua
• Te Ava Tepuka Vili

TeNamo Lagoon

The lagoon surrounded by the atoll isTeNamo.It has a vertical length of more than 20 km.