TUVALU

Description

TUVALU, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a 26 sqkm. area Polynesian island country located in the Pacific Ocean, situated in Oceania, about midway between Hawaii and Australia. It lies east-northeast of the Santa Cruz Islands (which belong to the Solomon Islands), southeast of Nauru, south of Kiribati, west of Tokelau, northwest of Samoa and Wallis and Futuna, and north of Fiji. It comprises three reef islands and six true atolls spread out between the latitude of 5B0 to 10B0 south and longitude of 176B0 to 180B0, west of the International Date Line. At the 2012 census Tuvalu had a population of 10,640 – that’s 409 per sqkm.

The first inhabitants of Tuvalu were Polynesians. The origins of the people of Tuvalu are addressed in the theories regarding migration into the Pacific that began about 3000 years ago. During pre-European-contact times there was frequent canoe voyaging between the islands as Polynesian navigation skills are recognised to have allowed deliberate journeys on double-hull sailing canoes or outrigger canoes.

In 1568, Spanish navigator C
lvaro de MendaC1a was the first European to sail through the archipelago, sighting the island of Nui during his expedition in search of Terra Australis. The island of Funafuti was named Ellice’s Island in 1819; the name Ellice was applied to all of the nine islands after the work of English hydrographer Alexander George Findlay. The Ellice Islands came into Great Britain’s sphere of influence in the late 19th century, as the result of a treaty between Great Britain and Germany relating to the demarcation of the spheres of influence in the Pacific Ocean. Each of the Ellice Islands was declared a British Protectorate by Captain Gibson of HMS Curacoa between 9-16 October 1892. The Ellice Islands were administered as a British protectorate by a Resident Commissioner from 1892 to 1916, as part of the British Western Pacific Territories (BWPT), and then as part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony from 1916 to 1976.

A referendum was held in December 1974 to determine whether the Gilbert Islands and Ellice Islands should each have their own administration. As a consequence of the referendum, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony ceased to exist on 1 January 1976, and the separate British colonies of Kiribati and Tuvalu came into existence. Tuvalu became fully independent within the Commonwealth on 1 October 1978. On 5 September 2000, Tuvalu became the 189th member of the United Nations.

The flag of TUVALU comes in various types as described below and sizes are commonly referred to in feet rather than metres, so please read about the various types of flag below and then make your selection from the drop down menu

Decorative Flags: These have 2 grommets on LHS sleeve and are printed on polyester which makes for a lightweight flag with a variety of uses such as flying on indoor poles or wall dC)cor. They are great for supporting favourite sports team; decoration in parades, marches and occasional flying on an outdoor flagpole. We emphasise these flags are not designed for prolonged flying on flagpoles as sun and wind would affect the lightweight material very quickly. There are two common sizes in decorative flags which are 5x3ft (150x90cm) and the smaller 3x2ft (90x60cm)

Outdoor Flagpole Flags: These are a btrilobalb material which is a knitted polyester for outdoor flag use which is long life, open weave, quick wicking and drying

Note this is knitted polyester and not a woven polyester, with the latter being weaker and lighter fabric unsuitable for outdoor use.

Our flags have double-stitched hems, and sewn loops so that you can attach Sista clips to secure them to the polebs cords. The most common sizes in outdoor flags is 6x3ft (180x90cm)

Sista Clips for Outdoor Flagpole Flags: The correct name is Inglefield clip or Brummel hook but commonly known as sister or sista. Itbs a plastic clip for joining a flag or ensign quickly, easily and securely to flag halyards so that the flag can be hoisted. Each clip resembles a link of chain, with a split through one side.

Hand Held Flags: These are printed on lightweight polyester with 2ft (60cm) plastic or wooden stick. They have a variety of uses such as parades, marches or supporting favourite sports team. They are 1.5x1ft (0.45×0.3m)

Desk / Table Flags: These are miniature flags printed on lightweight polyester measuring 6x4inches (16x11cm) with an 11″ (28cm) plastic pole. They are used as hand held or can be stood on desktops when inserted into a special plastic base (not included in the price)

Desk / Table Flag Bases: These are available to hold either 1,2,3,5,11 or 17 flags which are available HERE

Patches: These measure 3.5bx2.25b (8.25×5.5cm) and are sewn or iron-on miniature embroidered cotton flags. They are used mainly by travellers who affix them to jackets, jeans, T-Shirts or backpacks