Niuas

Niua Group

Map of the Niuatoputapu.
Map of Niuafoʻou
Geography
Location Pacific Ocean
Coordinates 15°58′S 173°47′W / 15.967°S 173.783°W / -15.967; -173.783
Archipelago Tonga Islands
Total islands 3
Major islands 2
Area 71.69 km2 (27.68 sq mi)
Highest elevation 560 m (1,840 ft)
Highest point Piu 'o Tafahi
Country
Tonga
Largest settlement Hihifo, Niuatoputapu
Demographics
Population 1282 (as of 2011)
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 1,282. The largest village is Hihifo on Niuatoputapu. Piu'o Tafahi is the highest point with an elevation of 560 m.

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 discovered 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 / -15.9594; -173.783


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