Tuvalu experiences westerly gales and heavy rain from October to March, the period that is known as Tau-o-lalo, with tropical temperatures moderated by easterly winds from April to November.
Australian and Tuvaluan currency are both in use, but transactions over A$1 are always conducted in Australian Dollars. For details of Australian Dollar denominations and exchange rates, see the Australia section.
Funafuti is the capital of Tuvalu. It is a true atoll that consists of 30 islands, or motu, as called by the Tuvaluans, surrounding a lagoon 20 kilometres north to south by 11 kilometres east to west.