Capital of Tuvalu: Funafuti — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Tuvalu is Funafuti. Tuvalu sits in Oceania, has a population of 11,312, and uses the AUD. Official languages include Tuvaluan, English.
Quick facts
- Capital: Funafuti
- Continent: Oceania
- Population: ~11,312
- Area: 26 km²
- Population density: 435 people per km²
- Official languages: Tuvaluan, English
- Currency: AUD
- ISO code: TV
How big is Tuvalu?
By population, Tuvalu ranks 196th in the world, holding roughly well under a hundredth of a percent of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 194th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Tuvalu has 435 people per square kilometre, which is about 7.3 times the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within Oceania, Tuvalu is the 14th most populous country of 14.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Tuvalu in population are Nauru (12,668) and Palau (18,055).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Nauru (21 km²) and Monaco (2 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Tuvaluan is listed as an official language of Tuvalu alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
The AUD is not unique to Tuvalu — it is also used by Australia, Kiribati and Nauru. Shared currencies usually mark a monetary union or a long-standing peg, and they are a useful shortcut in quizzes: get one country's currency and you often get several.
How to remember Tuvalu
Tuvalu means 'eight standing together', for the eight islands that were first inhabited. The capital, Funafuti, is an atoll, a ring of coral islets around a lagoon. Count the stars: nine for the nine islands.
The flag of Tuvalu: light blue, with the Union Jack and nine yellow stars
🇹🇻 The flag is a light blue flag with the Union Jack in the top-left corner and nine yellow stars on the right. The nine stars stand for the nine islands of Tuvalu, placed as they appear on a map.
Region and neighbours
Tuvalu is a tiny island country in the Pacific Ocean, in Polynesia, halfway between Hawaii and Australia. As an island country it has no land neighbours.
Three facts about Tuvalu
- Tuvalu is the fourth-smallest country in the world by area, after Vatican City, Monaco and Nauru.
- Its highest point is only about 4.6 m above sea level.
- Tuvalu earns money from its internet address ending, '.tv', which TV companies like to use.
Sources: Wikipedia: Tuvalu, Wikipedia: Flag of Tuvalu, Wikipedia: Funafuti, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Tuvalu
- Oceania capitals quiz — match Tuvalu to Funafuti
- Oceania flags quiz — spot the Tuvalu flag among its neighbours
- Island nations quiz — Tuvalu is an island country
Tuvalu capital quiz
What is the capital of Tuvalu 🇹🇻?
- Funafuti
- Palikir
- Honiara
- Ngerulmud
Show answer
Funafuti
What is the capital of Nauru 🇳🇷?
- Yaren
- Tarawa
- Ngerulmud
- Suva
Show answer
Yaren
What is the capital of Palau 🇵🇼?
- Palikir
- Ngerulmud
- Nukuʻalofa
- Funafuti
Show answer
Ngerulmud
What is the capital of Marshall Islands 🇲�
- Port Moresby
- Suva
- Funafuti
- Majuro
Show answer
Majuro
What is the capital of Tonga 🇹🇴?
- Majuro
- Tarawa
- Suva
- Nukuʻalofa
Show answer
Nukuʻalofa
Tuvalu in Oceania
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Fiji.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Oceania is the block Tuvalu belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Tuvalu.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Tuvalu?
The capital of Tuvalu is Funafuti.
What is the population of Tuvalu?
About 11,312, making it the 196th most populous country in the world.
How big is Tuvalu?
26 square kilometres, ranking 194th by land area, at a density of 435 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Tuvalu use?
The AUD, shared with 3 other countries.
What are the colours of the Tuvalu flag?
The flag of Tuvalu is a light blue flag with the Union Jack in the top-left corner and nine yellow stars on the right. The nine stars stand for the nine islands of Tuvalu, placed as they appear on a map.
Which countries border Tuvalu?
None. Tuvalu is a tiny island country in the Pacific Ocean, in Polynesia, halfway between Hawaii and Australia, so it has no land borders with other countries.
How can I remember the capital of Tuvalu?
Tuvalu means 'eight standing together', for the eight islands that were first inhabited. The capital, Funafuti, is an atoll, a ring of coral islets around a lagoon. Count the stars: nine for the nine islands.
More capitals to learn
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