With a population of over 4000, the Tuvaluan capital, Funafuti, remains a pretty low-key town. With no heavy industry and only two manufacturing facilities (textiles and soap), the air remains pure and the pace of life measured. Funafuti is the region's administrative centre.
The island's main village is a ten-minute walk north of the centre, a short stroll further on is the deep-water wharf. The huge lagoon is a visual highlight, but tread carefully as the lagoon beach doubles as a public toilet for some locals. The crowded island has a population density of 1454/sq km.
Nukulaelae Atoll
This atoll has two main islets, Niuoku and Tumuiloto, on the eastern side of the lagoon, but the population is all on Fangaua on the western side. In 1863 two-thirds of its population were kidnapped by blackbirders and forced to work as slaves in Peruvian mines.
Today, the people from Nukulaelae have a reputation for their dancing and singing. There is a pre-Christian archaeological site about half way along Niuoku bearing similarities to Polynesian maraes. Nukulaelae is about 120km (75mi) southeast of Funafuti and is Tuvalu's easternmost atoll.
Funafula Islet
Island: national park
Funafuti Atoll
This beautiful islet has a sandy beach and is good for a day-trip escape or a few days relaxation. Americans relocated villagers here in WWII and while most moved back after the war there is still a very small community here. The more traditional village lifestyle in this remote paradise gives a taste of what the outer islands are like.
Funafuti Marine Conservation Area
island ; national park
Funafuti Atoll
Declared recently with the assistance of the South Pacific Regional Environment Program, this 33-sq-km area is now a protected marine park. Containing six uninhabited islets full of lush broadleaf forest, the conservation area is teeming with varieties of tropical fish and also provides nesting areas for sea birds and turtles.
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