Ensiapu

Ensiapu is a small atoll in the Tuvalu archipelago, located in the Pacific Ocean. It is situated approximately 280 kilometers west of the capital island of Funafuti.

Geography

The atoll consists of two small islands, Eastern and Western, surrounding a lagoon. The islands are low-lying and uninhabited. The nearest landmass is Niulakita Island, which is about 6 kilometers away. Ensiapu is part of the Nui constituency in the Tuvaluan electoral system.

History

Ensiapu has been a part of the Tuvalu archipelago since pre-colonial times. The atoll was a traditional fishing ground for the people of Tuvalu. The first European to visit Ensiapu was Captain John Byron of the British Royal Navy, who mapped the atoll in 1765.

In 1889, the atoll was declared a British protectorate, and in 1916, it became part of the Colony of the Ellice Islands. In 1978, the Ellice Islands gained independence from Britain, and in 1978 Tuvalu, including Ensiapu, became a sovereign state. Since then, Tuvalu has maintained its sovereignty over the atoll.

Economy

Ensiapu is not an economic hub, and its inhabitants do not engage in commercial activities. Fishing is the primary source of sustenance for those who visit the atoll. The atoll's remote location and limited infrastructure make it unattractive for tourism.

Transportation to Ensiapu is difficult due to the lack of regular ferry services. It can be visited only by registering with the Tuvaluan government and chartering a boat from Funafuti.