The tiny country of Niue is located on the island of the same name in the Pacific Ocean. It will not be easy to find it on the map without outside help, so it is not surprising that most people on Earth have not even heard of Niue. This is a small paradise island, where life flows calmly and measuredly, without political upheavals and wars. Isn’t this heaven?
Interesting facts about Niue
- Slightly more than one and a half thousand people live in Niue — about the same as in Tokelau (interesting facts about Tokelau).
- The capital of Niue — Alofis, and it’s not even a city, but a village. Almost half of all islanders live here — a little less than seven hundred people.
- The famous navigator James Cook, who discovered the island of Niue, christened it «Savage Island» (eng. «Savage»).
- In 1974, the island officially renounced independence and came under the New Zealand protectorate.
- From a geological point of view, Niue is the world’s largest raised atoll, with an area of about 261.5 square kilometers.
- The air temperature here practically does not change throughout the year, during the day the thermometer here usually rises to 37-40 degrees.
- Hurricanes here — not uncommon, but about once every ten years, a particularly destructive cyclone hits Niue (interesting facts about hurricanes).
- There are no rivers or lakes on Niue.
- More than 620 species grow here plants, 175 of which are found nowhere else in the world.
- The most popular sport in this country — rugby.
- More than 180,000 different animals live in the local Huvalu nature reserve.
- There are two official languages in the country — Niuean and English.
- Niue has only one political party.
- Niue’s government has diplomatic relations with only 11 countries.
- Due to emigration, the population of Niue is not increasing, but decreasing.
- New Zealand has 15 times more Niueans than Niue itself.
- The standard of living in this country is quite high thanks to financial assistance from New Zealand (interesting facts about New Zealand).
- There are no beaches due to steep coasts and the absence of bays or lagoons.
- Niue has its own currency — Niue dollar, but it is issued exclusively for collector’s purposes. In everyday life, New Zealand dollars are used here.
- It also has its own football team.