country consisting of a group of nine islands in the WC Pacific: a British protectorate since 1892, it became independent & a member of the Commonwealth (1978): 10 sq mi (26 sq km); pop. 10,000; cap. Fongafale
An island country of the western Pacific Ocean north of Fiji. Organized as a British protectorate in 1892, the islands became part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony in 1915 and achieved independence in 1978. Fongafale, on Funafuti Island, is the capital. Population: 12,000.