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Location
South Pacific.
Time
GMT - 11.
Area
262.7 sq km (101.4 sq miles).
Population
1,492 (CIA estimate 2007).
Population Density
5.7 per sq km.
Capital
Alofi. Population: 1,000 (UN estimate 2003).
Geography
Niue is an isolated island located 480km (298 miles) east of Tonga, 560km (348 miles) southeast of Western Samoa, 980km (609 miles) west of Rarotonga and 2,400km (1,500 miles) northeast of New Zealand.
Affectionately known as ‘the rock’, Niue is reputedly the largest upraised coral atoll in the world. It has 2,500 hectares (6,178 acres) of the most undisturbed forests in the world, designated tapu areas by the locals, where no humans were allowed to set foot for centuries.
Now all the tapu forests, except the one controlled by Hakupu village, are penetrable. These forests are full of lush undergrowth, coconut palms and some of the oldest-known ebony trees on earth. Light and scattered forest covers approximately 14,000 hectares (34,594 acres). At the edge of the forest, the coast gives way to coral outcrops.
Affectionately known as ‘the rock’, Niue is reputedly the largest upraised coral atoll in the world. It has 2,500 hectares (6,178 acres) of the most undisturbed forests in the world, designated tapu areas by the locals, where no humans were allowed to set foot for centuries.
Now all the tapu forests, except the one controlled by Hakupu village, are penetrable. These forests are full of lush undergrowth, coconut palms and some of the oldest-known ebony trees on earth. Light and scattered forest covers approximately 14,000 hectares (34,594 acres). At the edge of the forest, the coast gives way to coral outcrops.
Government
Self-governing state in ‘free association’ with New Zealand. (New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs.)
Head of State
HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by High Commissioner Sandra Lee.
Head of Government
Premier Young Vivian since 2002.
Recent History
Ongoing challenges to the island include Niue's chronic population decline by emigration and its vulnerability to Pacific cyclones; it was devastated by one such cyclone in early 2004. Premier Young Vivian secured a second term by a large margin in 2005 elections.
Language
Niuean and English.
Religion
Most people belong to the Ekalesia Niue, a Protestant denomination; also Latter Day Saints (Mormon), Jehovah’s Witness, Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist and other Christian denominations.
Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs have three pins, as in New Zealand.
Social Conventions
Niuean children are bestowed with gifts of money or handmade mats and cloths from their relatives upon coming of age, when girls have their ears pierced and boys receive their first haircut. It is polite to ask permission before entering private land. Niueans consider Sunday as a serious day of rest and most attend church both in the morning and afternoon. While many people play golf, go swimming or sightsee, certain activities, such as boating and fishing, are not allowed on Sunday. For further information on Sunday protocol, contact the Niue Tourism Office (see Contact Addresses). Clothing is usually casual, cool and comfortable but women often wear a hat and cover their shoulders for church and men wear long trousers. Swimming attire is not acceptable in towns or villages.