Niue (GPS: 19 02 S, 169 52 W) is located in Oceania, an island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga. The country’s area measurements are total: 260 sq km; land: 260 sq km, water: 0 sq km. This sovereign state is 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC. The total irrigated land is 0 sq km (2012).
One of the crucial features of Niue: One of the world’s largest coral islands. The only major break in the surrounding coral reef occurs in the central-western part of the coast.
It’s significant, and at the same time, the principal city, Alofi’s GPS coordinates are 19 01 S 169 55 W. Alofi’s local time is 6 hours behind Washington DC during Standard Time. The capital’s time difference: UTC-11.
Niue’s remoteness and cultural and linguistic differences between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the adjacent Cook Islands have caused it to be separately administered by New Zealand. The island population has trended downwards over recent decades (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to 1,618 in 2017) with substantial emigration to New Zealand 2,400 km to the southwest.
Niue’s names conventional long form: none, conventional short form: Niue. Note: pronunciation falls between nyu-way and new-way, but not like new-wee, former: Savage Island, etymology: the name’s origin is obscure; in Niuean, the word supposedly translates as “behold the coconut.” The name’s origin is obscure; In Niuean, the word supposedly translates as “behold the coconut.”
Niue’s terrain is typically steep limestone cliffs along the coast, central plateau. The country’s mean elevation: N/A, elevation extremes; lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m, highest point: unnamed elevation near Mutalau settlement 68 m.
The general climate in the country; tropical: modified by southeast trade winds.
The total number of border countries is 0; none are the neighboring nations with the indicated border lengths. Niue’s coastline is 64 km, while its marital claims are: territorial sea: 12 nautical miles, exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles. Waterways: N/A. Land use: agricultural land: 19.1%; arable land 3.8%; permanent crops 11.5%; permanent pasture 3.8%; forest: 71.2%; other: 9.7% (2011 estimate).
The population in Niue 1,618 (July 2017 estimate), urban population: 42.5% of total population (2015), central metropolitan area’s population: ALOFI (capital) 1,000 (2014), while Niue has N/A. Their spoken languages are Niuean (official language) 46% (a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan), Niuean and English 32%, English (official language) 11%, Niuean and others 5%, other 6% (2011 estimate). Main religions in Niue are Ekalesia Niue (Congregational Christian Church of Niue – a Protestant church founded by missionaries from the London Missionary Society) 67%, other Protestant 3% (includes Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, Presbyterian 1%, and Methodist 1%), Mormon 10%, Roman Catholic 10%, Jehovah’s Witnesses 2%, other 6%, none 2% (2011 estimate). The nation uses English common law. It is a(n) self-governing parliamentary democracy (Fouo Ekepule) in free association with New Zealand, National holiday(s) Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840).
Economic overview for the country: The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. The industry consists primarily of small factories for processing passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an essential source of revenue. Government expenditures regularly exceed gains, and the shortfall is made up of critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees.
Economic aid allocation from New Zealand in FY13/14 was US$10.1 million. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. The island in recent years has suffered a severe loss of population because of emigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include promoting tourism and financial services, although the International Banking Repeal Act of 2002 resulted in the termination of all offshore banking licenses.
When you visit this country in Oceania, consider the natural hazards in Niue: Typhoons, while infectious diseases are N/A. Also, note that Niue faces the following environmental issues: Increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture.
You may also be interested in the countries next to Niue around its 0 km border – No border countries.