Flag of Tuvalu

What the flag looks like

A light blue field with the Union Jack in the upper hoist and nine yellow five-pointed stars in the fly, arranged like a map of the country's nine islands.

What it means

The nine stars represent the nine islands in their geographical positions, the light blue the Pacific Ocean and the Union Jack Tuvalu's historical ties to Britain.

How to remember it

Tuvalu's light-blue ensign scatters nine yellow stars like a map of its islands; Fiji's light-blue ensign carries a shield instead.

Fun facts

• The Union Jack was removed in 1995 but restored in 1997, when the original 1978 design returned.
• 'Tuvalu' means 'eight standing together', for the eight traditionally inhabited islands, yet the flag shows nine stars.
• Tuvalu earns a significant share of its income from licensing its internet domain, .tv.

Tuvalu at a glance

Capital

Funafuti

Region

Polynesia

Population

9,646

Area

26 km²

Languages

English, Tuvaluan

Currency

Australian dollar ($), Tuvaluan dollar ($)

Flag adopted

1997

Flags often confused with Tuvalu

• Fiji: Fiji and Tuvalu both have the Union Jack on a light blue field. Fiji has a shield on the right; Tuvalu has nine scattered yellow stars.
• Australia: Australia and Tuvalu both have the Union Jack in the corner. Australia is dark blue with white stars; Tuvalu is light blue with nine yellow stars.
• New Zealand: New Zealand and Tuvalu both have the Union Jack in the corner and stars on blue. New Zealand has four red stars on dark blue; Tuvalu has nine yellow stars on light blue.
• United Kingdom: Tuvalu uses the United Kingdom's Union Jack in its corner. The UK flag is the Union Jack alone; Tuvalu's has a light blue field with nine yellow stars.