Tuvalu

geographical name

Tu·​va·​lu tü-ˈvä-(ˌ)lü 

-ˈvär-(ˌ)ü

variants or formerly Ellice Islands

ˈe-lis 

islands in the western Pacific north of Fiji capital Funafuti area 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) see gilbert and ellice

Note: Tuvalu was a British territory 1976–78 and became an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1978.