Tuvalu History

Polynesian island of Tuvalu was formerly known as the Ellice Islands. The first Europeans to reach the island were Spanish sailors; other European explorers came to this territory only in 1700. The London Missionary Society paid attention to Tuvalu and started the process of local people’s evangelization, which was fully completed by the 1920s. Great Britain got the control over the country in the late 19th century. In 1974 Ellice Islands proclaimed its independence from British government. They were separated from the Gilbert Islands which became Kiribati. Complete independence of Tuvalu within the Commonwealth was reached in 1978. A year later the country signed a treaty of friendship with the United States. The economy of the country is based on the agriculture. Thanks to excellent natural and climatic conditions of the archipelago, tourism is also developing fast.