Tuvalu is an island nation in the South Pacific. The islands were settled by Polynesians many thousands of years ago. There was very little contact with Europeans until the 19th century. In the 20th century the area became part of a British colony.
During World War II, troops from the United States were located on the islands. The US built several airbases on different islands. Tuvalu became an independent nation in 1978 and still has good relations with the USA.
The Geography of Tuvalu
Total Size: 26 square km
Size Comparison: 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
