Alofi

Alofi is the capital of the Pacific Ocean island nation of Niue. With a population of 597 in 2017,[6] Alofi has the distinction of being the second smallest national capital city in terms of population (after Ngerulmud, capital of Palau). It consists of the two villages: Alofi North and Alofi South where the government headquarters are located.[7]

This article is about the capital villages of Niue. For the island, part of Wallis and Futuna, see Alofi Island.
Alofi
City
Alofi Central
Alofi council within Niue
Administrative map of Niue showing all the villages. Alofi is on the western side of the island
Coordinates: 19.054°S 169.920°W / -19.054; -169.920
Country New Zealand
Constituent country Niue
Tribal AreaTafiti
VillageAlofi North and Alofi South
Government
 • Assemblyman of Alofi NorthVaiga Tukuitoga[1]
 • Assemblyman of Alofi SouthDalton Tagelagi[2]
Area
 • Area of both Alofi North and Alofi South46.48 km2 (17.95 sq mi)
Elevation21 m (69 ft)
Population
 (2017)[4]
 • Total597
 • Density12.5/km2 (32.46/sq mi)
 • Alofi North
147
 • Alofi South
434
Resident Population
 • Visitors (Alofi North)6,214
 • Visitor (Alofi South)6,214
Time zoneUTC-11 (UTC-11)
Area code(s)+683

History

In January 2004, Niue was hit by the fierce tropical storm Cyclone Heta which killed two people and did extensive damage to the entire island. Many of Alofi's buildings were destroyed, including the hospital. Government buildings were shifted to a less exposed site 3 km (1.9 mi) inland from the west coast, named Fonuakula, after the storm.[8] This site is still within the village boundaries of Alofi South.

Geography

Overview

It is located at the centre of Alofi Bay on the west coast of the island, close to the only break in the coral reef that surrounds Niue. The bay stretches for 30% of the island's length (about seven kilometres) from Halagigie Point in the south to Makapu Point in the north.

The council's territory borders with Avatele, Hakupu, Lakepa, Liku, Makefu, Mutalau, Tamakautoga and Tuapa.[9]

Climate
Alofi
Climate chart (explanation)
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F
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Weatherbase[3]

Alofi features a tropical rainforest climate under the Köppen climate classification, with no discernible dry season. The city has a noticeably drier stretch from June through September. However, all of these months average more than 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, the limit for a dry season month. Average temperatures vary slightly throughout the course of the year in Alofi hovering at around 27 °C (81 °F), during the warmest month (February) and at around 23 °C (73 °F) during the coolest months (July and August) .

Transport

The town is serviced by Niue International Airport, and there are numerous roads, both paved and dirt, that crisscross the town.[10]

Personalities

See also

References

Notes
  1. New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  2. Government of Niue
  3. Weatherbase
  4. "Niue Household and Population Census 2017" (PDF). niue.prism.spc.int. Niue Statistics Office. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  5. SPC 2008, p.5.
  6. "Niue Household and Population Census 2017" (PDF). niue.prism.spc.int. Niue Statistics Office. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  7. SPC 2008, p.4.
  8. East-West Center
  9. 1558549 Alofi on OpenStreetMap
  10. "Niue International Airport". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2012.

Sources


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