[too-vuh-loo, too-vah-loo] 
| a parliamentary state consisting of a group of islands in the central Pacific, S of the equator: a former British colony; gained independence 1978. 7000; 10 sq. mi. (26 sq. km). Capital: Funafuti. |
Tu·va·lu (tōō-vä'lōō, tōō'və-lōō')  (click for larger image in new window) 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. |
vəˌlu