Niua Islands
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.
Map of Niua Islands
Futuna, Alofi, Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi drawn on a 1646 map by Robert Dudley. In 1616, Dutch explorers Le Maire and Schouten were the first Europeans to visit those islands.
 Location of Niua Islands in Tonga | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 15°58′S 173°47′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 |
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.
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