Niue

Niue (nē`ā), coral island (2004 pop. 1,761), c.100 sq mi (260 sq km), South Pacific, freely associated with New Zealand. Alofi is the capital. The inhabitants are mainly Protestant Polynesians. Niue, once known as Savage Island, has fertile soil and exports coconut milk, copra, honey, and fruit. Fishing and tourism are also important to the economy. The island, which is heavily dependent on aid from New Zealand, has an autonomous internal government. Declining population threatens Niue's economic health and the survival of its language; Polynesians of Niuean descent in New Zealand outnumber Niueans ten to one. A cyclone devastated the island in Jan., 2004. In 2006, Australia, New Zealand, and Niue established a trust fund provide long-term revenues for the island's economic development.

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Niue

an island in the S Pacific, between Tonga and the Cook Islands: annexed by New Zealand (1901); achieved full internal self-government in 1974. Chief town and port: Alofi. Pop.: 2000 (2003 est.). Area: 260 sq. km (100 sq. miles)

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Niue

Official name: Niue

Capital city: Alofi

Internet country code: .nu

Flag description: Yellow with the flag of the United Kingdom in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the United Kingdom bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross

Geographical description: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga

Total area: 100 sq. mi. (260 sq. km.)

Climate: Tropical; modified by southeast trade winds

Nationality: noun: Niuean(s); adjective: Niuean

Population: 1,492 (July 2007 CIA est.)

Ethnic groups: Niuen 78.2%, Pacific Islander 10.2%, Euro­pean 4.5%, mixed 3.9%, Asian 0.2%, unspecified 3%

Languages spoken: Niuean, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan; English

Religions: Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society) 61.1%, Latter-Day Saints 8.8%, Roman Catholic 7.2%, Jehovah’s Witnesses 2.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, other 8.4%, unspecified 8.7%, none 1.9%

Legal Holidays:

ANZAC Day	Apr 25
Boxing Day	Dec 26
Christmas Day	Dec 25
Easter Monday	Apr 25, 2011; Apr 9, 2012; Apr 1, 2013; Apr 21, 2014; Apr 6, 2015
Good Friday	Apr 22, 2011; Apr 6, 2012; Mar 29, 2013; Apr 18, 2014; Apr 3, 2015
New Year's Day	Jan 1
Queen Elizabeth II Birthday	Jun 6, 2011; Jun 4, 2012; Jun 3, 2013; Jun 2, 2014; Jun 1, 2015
Waitangi Day	Feb 6

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Niue 

(also Savage), an island in the southern Pacific, in Polynesia, belonging to New Zealand. Area, 259 sq km. Population, 5,000 (1970). The administrative center is Alofi. Niue is a coral island that was once an atoll; the depression in the center of the island is the relict of an ancient lagoon. The maximum elevation is 91 m. The economy is based on the production of copra and bananas and on handicrafts. The island was discovered in 1774 by J. Cook.