Vaitupu

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Vaitupu is an atoll of the island nation of Tuvalu in the Pacific Ocean. The atoll consists of the main island Vaitupu, and eight small Motus: the Luasamotu group ( 2 Motus ), the Mosana group ( 3 Motus ) and Tofia, Olepa and Tomoto.

History

The first settlement Vaitupus can not be accurately reconstructed today. It is possible that residents of the Tonga group have inhabited the atoll mid-13th century. But it is clear that the founder of the first strain of the atoll, Telematua, who lived in the 16th or 17th century Vaitupu. The relations of the atoll to the neighboring atolls designed to consistently peacefully in the relatively short history.

In 1860 the island was successfully proselytized by Christian priests of the London Missionary Society. The missionary also the Samoan language was introduced because all Bibles were written in Samoan.

Population

Vaitupu has 1591 inhabitants ( 2002), the second largest population of Tuvalu, almost all live in Asau, the main town of the island. 1940 the population of the atoll was so great that a part had to emigrate to Fiji. The inhabitants live by subsistence farming. From low economic importance is tourism. On the atoll there is one church, post office, primary school and secondary school. On the small Motu Temoto the English writer Lewis Wade lives with his family.

Fame the atoll in 2000. 18 girls and a teacher were killed when in a bedroom of Motufouna School a fire broke out.

Taukelina Finikaso, Information and Minister of Labour of Tuvalu since 2006, the atoll -represented in Parliament.