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Archipelago

    Pacific OceanTuvalu

    8°00′S 178°30′E

    Nukufetau

    Part of Tuvalu

    Nukufetau is an atoll that is part of the nation of Tuvalu. The atoll was claimed by the US under the Guano Islands Act some time in the 19th century and was ceded in a treaty of friendship concluded in 1979 and coming into force in 1983. It has a population of 581 who live on Savave islet (2022 Census).

    Nukufetau atoll, Tuvalu, from space
    Nukufetau atoll, Tuvalu, from space

    NASA / Public domain

    Chart

    31 landforms

    Overview

    Nukufetau is an atoll that is part of the nation of Tuvalu. The atoll was claimed by the US under the Guano Islands Act some time in the 19th century and was ceded in a treaty of friendship concluded in 1979 and coming into force in 1983. It has a population of 581 who live on Savave islet (2022 Census).

    From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Census, cataloged

    • Major islands5
    • Minor islands6
    • Islets20
    • Rocks & skerries0

    Major islands

    5

    • Motulalo

      Area
      1.4 km²
      High point
      25 m

      Motulalo is the largest islet of Nukufetau, Tuvalu. The traditional history of Nukufetau recalls that in order to protect the atoll from raiders from Tonga, Tauasa, an aliki (chief), was given Motulalo. Tauasa would pull up coconut trees and throw them at the raiders.

    • Lafanga

      Area
      0.71 km²
      High point
      20 m

      Lafanga or Lafaga is an islet of Nukufetau, Tuvalu. The traditional history of Nukufetau recalls that in order to protect the atoll from raiders from Tonga, Fialua, an Aliki (chief), was given Lafanga, which is the largest of the eastern islets of Nukufetau.

    • Savave

      Area
      0.41 km²
      High point
      19 m

      Savave is a village and islet of Nukufetau, Tuvalu, which is on the lagoon side of Fale islet. It is also the name of the small village on the island.

    • Kongo Loto Lafanga

      Area
      0.3 km²
      High point
      21 m

      Kongo Loto Lafanga is an islet of Nukufetau, Tuvalu, which is south of Lafanga islet in the North East of Nukufetau atoll.

    • Savave

      Area
      0.24 km²
      High point
      12 m

      Savave is a village and islet of Nukufetau, Tuvalu, which is on the lagoon side of Fale islet. It is also the name of the small village on the island.

    Minor islands

    6

    • Funaota

      Area
      0.17 km²
      High point
      16 m

    • Motumua

      Area
      0.12 km²
      High point
      19 m

    • Faiava Lasi

      Area
      —

      size unknown

    • Motufetau

      Area
      —

      size unknown

    • Motuloa

      Area
      —

      size unknown

    • Niualuka

      Area
      —

      size unknown

    Islets

    20

    Figures

    Comparative heights

    Sea level10 m20 m30 m25 mMotulalo21 mKongo Loto Lafanga20 mLafanga19 mSavave19 mMotumua16 mFunaota16 mSakalua16 mMotulua14 mTemotuloto14 mNiuatui14 mTeafuaniua12 mSavave10 mTeafuone10 mMatanukulaelae
    High points by island, metres above sea level.

    Islands by area

    0.0010.010.1110Motulalo: 1.4 km²MotulaloLafanga: 0.71 km²LafangaSavave: 0.41 km²SavaveKongo Loto Lafanga: 0.3 km²Kongo Loto LafangaSavave: 0.24 km²SavaveFunaota: 0.17 km²FunaotaMotumua: 0.12 km²MotumuaSakalua: 0.07 km²SakaluaTemotuloto: 0.07 km²TemotulotoNiuatui: 0.04 km²NiuatuiTeafuone: 0.03 km²TeafuoneTeafuaniua: 0.02 km²TeafuaniuaMotulua: 0.02 km²MotuluaMotuloa: 0.02 km²MotuloaOua: 0.01 km²OuaTeafuanonu: 0.01 km²TeafuanonuMatanukulaelae: 0.8 haMatanukulaelaeTeafatule: 0.7 haTeafatuleUnnamed island: 0.6 haUnnamed islandUnnamed island: 0.5 haUnnamed islandUnnamed island: 0.5 haUnnamed islandUnnamed island: 0.4 haUnnamed islandUnnamed island: 0.3 haUnnamed islandUnnamed island: 0.3 haUnnamed islandUnnamed island: 0.3 haUnnamed islandUnnamed island: 0.3 haUnnamed islandUnnamed island: 0.2 haUnnamed island
    km², log scale. 4 without a known area.
    Motulalo1.4 km²
    Lafanga0.71 km²
    Savave0.41 km²
    Kongo Loto Lafanga0.3 km²
    Savave0.24 km²
    Funaota0.17 km²
    Motumua0.12 km²
    Sakalua0.07 km²
    Temotuloto0.07 km²
    Niuatui0.04 km²
    Teafuone0.03 km²
    Teafuaniua0.02 km²
    Motulua0.02 km²
    Motuloa0.02 km²
    Oua0.01 km²
    Teafuanonu0.01 km²
    Matanukulaelae0.8 ha
    Teafatule0.7 ha
    Unnamed island0.6 ha
    Unnamed island0.5 ha
    Unnamed island0.5 ha
    Unnamed island0.4 ha
    Unnamed island0.3 ha
    Unnamed island0.3 ha
    Unnamed island0.3 ha
    Unnamed island0.3 ha
    Unnamed island0.2 ha

    Sources

    Facts

    • Geometry, areas and high points: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Copernicus GLO-30, via Talus.
    • Wikidata
    • Wikipedia

    Photographs