The small island nation of Tuvalu has a population of 4,500, making the Funafuti Atoll the most populated atoll in this small country. It is a narrow sweep of land between 20 and 400 m wide, encircling a large lagoon 18 km long and 14 km wide - at 275 square km, by far the largest lagoon in Tuvalu. The land area of the 33 islets amounts to square 2.4 km, less than one percent of the total area of the atoll. The largest island is Fongafale. On this island, there are four villages, of which one is Vaiaku, where Tuvalu's government is located. The entire atoll of Funafuti is officially the capital. Funafuti (foo-nah-foo-ti) Atoll is the country's capital, with the administrative centre and airport on Fongafale islet. The vast lagoon, about 24km long and 18km wide, has two small and two large te ava (reef passages). Pretty Funafala islet at the southern end of the atoll has simple accommodation, and the pristine marine conservation area on the western side is simply spectacular.
coral atoll, site of Fongafale village, capital of Tuvalu, in the west-central Pacific Ocean. The atoll comprises some 30 islets, with a total land area of 0.9 square mile (2.4 square km), strung around a lagoon (13.5 by 10 miles [21.7 by 16.1 km]) that affords good anchorage. A U.S. military base was established there in 1943. Despite the low fertility of its sandy soil, the atoll produces copra for export. Fongafale, the chief village, has a hotel, a hospital, and an airstrip. Pop. (1985) 2,810. In June 1996, the Funafuti Marine Conservation Area was established along the western rim of the reef, encompassing six islets. It has an area of 33 km², containing 20 percent of the reef area of Funafuti. The land area of the six islets in the conservation area is 8 ha (0.08 km²). The islets in the conservation area, from north to south, with estimated area in hectares:
Funafuti is the capital of the small island nation of Tuvalu. It has a population of 4,492 (2002 Census), making it the most populated atoll in this small country. It is a narrow sweep of land between 20 and 400 meters wide, encircling a large lagoon 18 km long and 14 km wide, with 275 km² by far the largest lagoon in Tuvalu. The land area of the 33 islets aggregates to 2.4 km², less than one percent of the total area of the atoll. There is an airstrip, hotel (Vaiaku Langi Hotel), and administrative buildings, as well as homes, constructed both in the traditional manner, out of palm fronds, and more recently out of cement blocks. The most prominent building on Funafuti atoll is the Church of Tuvalu. Other sites of interest are the remains of American aircraft that crashed on Funafuti during World War II, when the airstrip was used by the American forces to defend the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati) and the Marshall Islands. The USA claimed Funafuti from some unknown time in the 1800s until a treaty of friendship was concluded in 1979, coming into effect in 1983. The largest island is Fongafale. On this island, there are four villages, of which one is Vaiaku, where the Tuvalu's government is located. The capital of Tuvalu is sometimes given as Fongafale or Vaiaku, but the entire atoll of Funafuti is officially the capital.[citation needed]
coral atoll, site of Fongafale village, capital of Tuvalu, in the west-central Pacific Ocean. The atoll comprises some 30 islets, with a total land area of 0.9 square mile (2.4 square km), strung around a lagoon (13.5 by 10 miles [21.7 by 16.1 km]) that affords good anchorage. A U.S. military base was established there in 1943. Despite the low fertility of its sandy soil, the atoll produces copra for export. Fongafale, the chief village, has a hotel, a hospital, and an airstrip. Pop. (1985) 2,810. In June 1996, the Funafuti Marine Conservation Area was established along the western rim of the reef, encompassing six islets. It has an area of 33 km², containing 20 percent of the reef area of Funafuti. The land area of the six islets in the conservation area is 8 ha (0.08 km²). The islets in the conservation area, from north to south, with estimated area in hectares:
Funafuti is the capital of the small island nation of Tuvalu. It has a population of 4,492 (2002 Census), making it the most populated atoll in this small country. It is a narrow sweep of land between 20 and 400 meters wide, encircling a large lagoon 18 km long and 14 km wide, with 275 km² by far the largest lagoon in Tuvalu. The land area of the 33 islets aggregates to 2.4 km², less than one percent of the total area of the atoll. There is an airstrip, hotel (Vaiaku Langi Hotel), and administrative buildings, as well as homes, constructed both in the traditional manner, out of palm fronds, and more recently out of cement blocks. The most prominent building on Funafuti atoll is the Church of Tuvalu. Other sites of interest are the remains of American aircraft that crashed on Funafuti during World War II, when the airstrip was used by the American forces to defend the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati) and the Marshall Islands. The USA claimed Funafuti from some unknown time in the 1800s until a treaty of friendship was concluded in 1979, coming into effect in 1983. The largest island is Fongafale. On this island, there are four villages, of which one is Vaiaku, where the Tuvalu's government is located. The capital of Tuvalu is sometimes given as Fongafale or Vaiaku, but the entire atoll of Funafuti is officially the capital.[citation needed]
