`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.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:
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.
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