Niua Islands
Appearance
![]() 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 | 1232 (2016) |
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 1,232. The largest village is Hihifo on Niuatoputapu. Piu'o Tafahi is the highest point with an elevation of 560 m.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/00-320_Tonga_ONGO_NIUA_GROUP.png/220px-00-320_Tonga_ONGO_NIUA_GROUP.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Futuna_%26_Alofi%2C_Niuafo%27ou%2C_Niuatoputapu_%26_Tafahi_on_1646_map.png/220px-Futuna_%26_Alofi%2C_Niuafo%27ou%2C_Niuatoputapu_%26_Tafahi_on_1646_map.png)
Geography
The islands are the peaks of undersea volcanoes, towering from the sea, some of which were still active until very recently.
History
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. 15°57′34″S 173°46′59″W / 15.9594°S 173.783°W