Niua Islands
 Location of Niua Islands in Tonga | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 15°58′S 173°47′W / 15.967°S 173.783°W |
| Archipelago | Tonga Islands |
| Total islands | 3 |
| Major islands | 2 |
| Area | 71.69 km2 (27.68 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 560 m (1840 ft) |
| Highest point | Piu 'o Tafahi |
| Administration | |
Tonga | |
| Largest settlement | Hihifo, Niuatoputapu |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1,150[1] (2021) |
| Pop. density | 23.01/km2 (59.6/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Tongan |
Niua is a division of the Kingdom of Tonga, namely the northernmost group of islands. It consists of three islands (Niuafoʻou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi) which together have an area of 71.69 km2 and a population of 1,150. The largest village is Hihifo on Niuatoputapu. Piu'o Tafahi is the highest point with an elevation of 560 m.
Geography[edit]
The islands lie at approximately 15° south latitude and 175° to 173° west longitude, approximately 600km north of the Tongan capital of Nukuʻalofa, 300 - 375 km northwest of Vavaʻu, and 320 - 470 km south or southwest of Samoa. Niuafoʻou is geographically separated from the other islands, lying 200km to the west. The total area of the islands is 71.69 km2 (27.68 sq mi).
Climate[edit]
The islands have a tropical climate, with a mean temperature of 27 °C (81 °F) and a mean annual rainfall of 2,453 mm (100 in) (Niuafoʻou) or 2,374 mm (90 in) (Niuatoputapu).[2]
Geology[edit]
The islands are the peaks of undersea volcanoes, towering from the sea. Niuatoputapu and Tafahi lie on the Tofua volcanic arc, and are not active. Niuafoʻou lies at the center of the Niuafo'ou Plate and has erupted regularly since 1814.[3] There are other volcanoes in this part of the Tofua chain which do not reach sea level, but form seamounts with between 1200 and 1500m of water above their peaks. This includes the Mata group, and the large submarine caldera Niuatahi.[4]
History[edit]
The Niua group was encountered in 1616 by Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire Cornelisz during their circumnavigation with the ships and Eendracht Horn to Europe. Coordinates: 15°57′34″S 173°46′59″W / 15.9594°S 173.783°W
References[edit]
- ^ "Tonga's population drops to 100,209". Matangi Tonga. 24 December 2021. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "CLIMATE CHANGE PROFILE: KINGDOM OF TONGA" (PDF). GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE ALLIANCE: PACIFIC SMALL ISLAND STATES PROJECT. 2013. p. 10. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ "TIN CAN ISLAND". The Press. 20 April 1957. p. 6. Retrieved 24 December 2021 – via Papers Past.
- ^ "Niuatahi". Global Volcanism Program. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
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