Difference between revisions of "Niue" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | '''Niue''' is an [[island nation]] located in the South [[Pacific Ocean]]. It is commonly known as "Rock of Polynesia". Although it is self-governing, it is in [[Associated state|free association]] with [[New Zealand]]. This means that the [[Queen of New Zealand|sovereign in right of New Zealand]] is also the [[head of state]] of Niue, and most diplomatic relations are conducted by New Zealand on Niue's behalf. Niue is located | + | '''Niue''' is an [[island nation]] located in the South [[Pacific Ocean]]. It is commonly known as "Rock of Polynesia". Although it is self-governing, it is in [[Associated state|free association]] with [[New Zealand]]. This means that the [[Queen of New Zealand|sovereign in right of New Zealand]] is also the [[head of state]] of Niue, and most diplomatic relations are conducted by New Zealand on Niue's behalf. Niue is located 2400 [[kilometer]]s north-east of New Zealand in a triangle between [[Tonga]], [[Samoa]] and the [[Cook Islands]]. |
== Geography == | == Geography == | ||
| + | Niue is a 260 square kilometer island located in the southern Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga. It is about 1.5 times the size of Washington,DC. | ||
| − | + | There are three geographically outlying [[coral]] [[reef]]s within the [[territorial waters]], that do not have any land area:[[Beveridge Reef]], located 300km south-east, is a submerged [[atoll]] drying during low tide, 9.5km from north to south and 7.5km east-west. It has no land area, and has a lagoon 11 meters deep. | |
| + | Antiope Reef, located 193km south-east, is a circular plateau approximately 400 meters in diameter, with a depth of at least 9.5 meters. Haran Reef (Harans Reef), located at 21°33'S, 168°55'W, is reported to break furiously. | ||
| − | + | Niue is one of the world's largest [[coral]] islands. The terrain of Niue consists of steep [[limestone]] [[cliff]]s along the [[coast]] with a central [[plateau]] rising to about 60 meters above sea level. A coral reef surrounds the island, with the only major break in the reef being in the central western coast, close to the capital, Alofi. A notable feature of the island is the number of limestone caves found close to the coast. | |
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| − | + | The island is roughly oval in shape (a [[diameter]] of about 18 [[kilometer]]s), with two large bays indenting the western coast (Alofi Bay in the centre, and Avatele Bay in the south). Most of the island's population reside close to the west coast, around the capital and in the northwest. | |
| − | The island | + | The island has a [[tropics|tropical]] [[climate]], modified by southeast trade winds, with most rainfall occurring between November and April. |
| − | + | Natural resources include fish, and arable land. Forests and woodland make up 19 percent of Niue, arable land 19 percent, permanent crops | |
| − | + | 8 percent, permanent pastures 4 percent, and "other" makes up 50 percent. | |
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| + | Typhoons pose the main natural hazard. There increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
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European involvement in Niue began in 1774 with Captain [[James Cook]]'s sighting (landing was refused) of what he named "Savage Island". Legend has it that Cook so named the island because the natives that "greeted" him were painted in what appeared to Cook and his crew to be blood. | European involvement in Niue began in 1774 with Captain [[James Cook]]'s sighting (landing was refused) of what he named "Savage Island". Legend has it that Cook so named the island because the natives that "greeted" him were painted in what appeared to Cook and his crew to be blood. | ||
Revision as of 09:15, 7 August 2006
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| Official languages | Niuean, English | ||
| Capital | Alofi | ||
| Head of State | Elizabeth II | ||
| New Zealand High Commissioner |
Anton Ojala | ||
| Premier | Young Vivian | ||
| Area – Total – % water |
260 km² 0 | ||
| Population – Total (July 2005) |
1,445 | ||
| Establishment – Date |
Niue Constitution Act 19 October 1974 | ||
| Currency | New Zealand dollar | ||
| GDP | $ 7.6 Million ( 229) | ||
| Time zone | UTC -11 | ||
| National anthem | Ko e Iki he Lagi | ||
| Calling Code | 683 | ||
| Internet TLD | .nu | ||
| 296px | |||
| Map of Niue | |||
Niue is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as "Rock of Polynesia". Although it is self-governing, it is in free association with New Zealand. This means that the sovereign in right of New Zealand is also the head of state of Niue, and most diplomatic relations are conducted by New Zealand on Niue's behalf. Niue is located 2400 kilometers north-east of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands.
Geography
Niue is a 260 square kilometer island located in the southern Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga. It is about 1.5 times the size of Washington,DC.
There are three geographically outlying coral reefs within the territorial waters, that do not have any land area:Beveridge Reef, located 300km south-east, is a submerged atoll drying during low tide, 9.5km from north to south and 7.5km east-west. It has no land area, and has a lagoon 11 meters deep. Antiope Reef, located 193km south-east, is a circular plateau approximately 400 meters in diameter, with a depth of at least 9.5 meters. Haran Reef (Harans Reef), located at 21°33'S, 168°55'W, is reported to break furiously.
Niue is one of the world's largest coral islands. The terrain of Niue consists of steep limestone cliffs along the coast with a central plateau rising to about 60 meters above sea level. A coral reef surrounds the island, with the only major break in the reef being in the central western coast, close to the capital, Alofi. A notable feature of the island is the number of limestone caves found close to the coast.
The island is roughly oval in shape (a diameter of about 18 kilometers), with two large bays indenting the western coast (Alofi Bay in the centre, and Avatele Bay in the south). Most of the island's population reside close to the west coast, around the capital and in the northwest.
The island has a tropical climate, modified by southeast trade winds, with most rainfall occurring between November and April.
Natural resources include fish, and arable land. Forests and woodland make up 19 percent of Niue, arable land 19 percent, permanent crops 8 percent, permanent pastures 4 percent, and "other" makes up 50 percent.
Typhoons pose the main natural hazard. There increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture
History
European involvement in Niue began in 1774 with Captain James Cook's sighting (landing was refused) of what he named "Savage Island". Legend has it that Cook so named the island because the natives that "greeted" him were painted in what appeared to Cook and his crew to be blood.
The next major arrival was the London Missionary Society in 1846. Niue was briefly a protectorate, the UK's involvement being passed on in 1901 when New Zealand annexed the island. Independence in the form of self-government was granted by the New Zealand parliament in the 1974 constitution.
In January of 2004, Niue was hit by the fierce tropical storm Cyclone Heta which killed two people and caused extensive damage to the entire island.
'
Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the rest of the Cook Islands, have caused it to be separately administered. The population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to 2,100 in 2000) with substantial emigration to New Zealand.
Niue was first settled by Polynesian sailors from Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands. Captain James Cook was the first European to sight the island, but he was unable to land there due to fierce opposition by the local population. In response, he named Niue the Savage Island.
Christian missionaries from the London Missionary Society converted most of the population circa 1846. In 1887, King Fataaiki wrote to Queen Victoria of England, requesting that Niue be placed under British protection, but his request was turned down. In 1900, in response to renewed requests, the island became a British protectorate, and the following year it was annexed by New Zealand. Niue gained its autonomy in 1974 in free association with New Zealand, which handles the island's military and foreign affairs. Niue had been offered autonomy in 1965 (along with the Cook Islands, which accepted), but had asked for its autonomy to be defered another decade.
In January of 2004, Niue was struck by a devastating cyclone (Cyclone Heta) which left 200 of the islands' 1600 inhabitants homeless. As a number of local residents chose afterwards not to rebuild, New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff speculated that Niue's status as a self-governing nation in free association with New Zealand might come into question if too many residents departed the island to maintain basic services. Soon afterwards, Niue Premier Young Vivian categorically rejected the possibility of altering the existing relationship with New Zealand.
Politics
The Niue Constitution Act 1974 (NZ) vests executive authority in Her Majesty the Queen in Right of New Zealand and the Governor-General of New Zealand. The constitution specifies that in everyday practice, it is exercised by a Cabinet of the Premier of Niue and three other ministers. The premier and ministers must be members of the Niue Assembly, the nation's legislative assembly.
The assembly consists of twenty democratically elected members, fourteen by the electors of village constituencies. The remaining six are elected the same way, except several constituencies are combined for each seat. Electors must be New Zealand citizens, resident for at least three months, and candidates must have been electors, resident for twelve months. The speaker is elected from among the members.
Niue has been self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for foreign affairs and defence; however, these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue. Niue has no regular indigenous military forces.
Economy of Niue
Niue's economy is very small with a GDP of around $7.6 million estimated in 2000. Most economic activity centres around government and work on family plantations. It uses the New Zealand Dollar and relies on New Zealand aid to sustain its government.
However, in August 2005 an Australian mining company Yamarna Goldfields has suggested that Niue might have the world's largest deposit of uranium. It has permission to drill on the island to confirm geological data that suggests the presence of a very large deposit. It will require government permission, however, to convert its prospecting licence to a mining lease.
Foreign aid, principally from New Zealand, has been the island's principal source of income. Tourism generates some revenue but there is very little industry on the island. Remittances from Niuean expatriates generally from New Zealand constitute a significant proportion of Niue's income as well.
Government expenses usually exceed revenue to a substantial degree, with aid from New Zealand subsidising public service payrolls. The government generates some limited income also from the sale of its postage stamps to foreign collectors and domain names, with its top level domain .nu. The Government briefly flirted with the creation of "offshore banking" but under pressure from New Zealand agreed to end its support for schemes designed to minimise tax in countries like New Zealand.
Niue's economy suffered from the devastating tropical cyclone of 2002.
Demographics
Population: 1,600 (2004 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years:
29.70%
15-64 years:
61.20%
65 years and over:
9.10%
Population growth rate: 0.47% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 18.46 births/1,000 population
Death rate: 7.80 deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: 29.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
70.10 years
male:
69.80 years
female:
71.20 years
Total fertility rate: 3.01 children born/woman
Nationality:
noun:
Niuean(s)
adjective:
Niuean
Ethnic groups: Polynesian (with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and Tongans)
Religions: Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society) 75%, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 10%, other 15% (mostly Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventist)
Languages: Polynesian closely related to Tongan and Samoan, English
Literacy:
definition:
NA
total population:
95%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Society and culture
Niue is a Polynesian island in the South Pacific. Though independent, it is in free association with New Zealand. Manaia Studio is the only recording studio on the island. The musician Che Fu is very popular, and has won several Tui Awards, a New Zealand music award. Church choirs are also common.
See also
- Communications in Niue
- Transportation in Niue
External links
- The Official Website of the People of Niue
- Electionworld file on Niue
- History of Niue
- Internet Users Society Niue site
- Map of Niue
- Niuean Government site
- Niue National Telecommunications Policy 2003
- .nu domain name registry site
- Register article which mentions the impact of the cyclone
- World Factbook entry on Niue
- Environment Department
- InvestNiue
- Niue Business News
- Statistics Niue
- Niue Tourism
Template:New Zealand Template:Polynesia Template:Pacific Islands
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