geo.wikisort.org - Island

Niuatoputapu is a high island in the island nation of Tonga, Pacific Ocean. Its highest point is 157 metres (515 ft), and its area is 16 square kilometres (6.2 sq mi). Its name means sacred island. Older European names for the island are Traitors Island or Keppel Island.

Niuatoputapu is located in the north of the Tonga island group, 300 kilometres (190 miles) away from Vavaʻu near the border with Samoa. Its closest neighbours are the small island of Tafahi, which is only 9 km (6 mi) to the north-northeast, and the island of Niuafo'ou. Those three islands together form the administrative division of the Niuas. Niuatoputapu Airport accepts international flights. The population was 719 in 2021.[1] Until several centuries ago, the inhabitants spoke the Niuatoputapu language, but it was replaced by the Tongan language and went extinct. Nevertheless, the variety of Tongan spoken on Niuatoputapu contains elements of Samoan, ʻUvean, and Futunan.

Geography

Niuatoputapu’s highest central area, just beside Vaipoa, is a hill only 157 m (515 ft) high. It is the eroded remnant of a large volcano, which last erupted about 3 million years ago. The island is almost entirely surrounded by a large reef, uplifted, and largely covered with volcanic ash, which has proved an island with fertile soil.

Niuatoputapu consists primarily of three villages: Hihifo (meaning "west" in Tongan), Vaipoa, and Falehau. Hihifo is the largest village, and, as its name suggests, it lies in the western part of the island. It has most of the local governmental facilities, including the post office, telecommunications, police station, and a high school. There are primary schools in all three villages. Vaipoa lies in the middle of the island. Falehau, which is east of Vaipoa, fronts on the island's only harbor, on the northwest coast.

History

The traditional line of lords of the island is the Māʻatu dynasty. According to the legends, an early member of them became the fish god Seketoʻa.[2]

Niuatoputapu was put on the European maps by Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire during their famous circumnavigation of the globe in their ship the Eendracht (Unity) in 1616. After successful bartering with the inhabitants of Tafahi, but not finding a suitable anchorage there, they proceeded to its bigger southern neighbour. There their reception was less peaceful. Natives boarded their ship and attacked the Dutch with clubs, until they found out what muskets were and could do.[3]^{: 176–177} After that an uneasy truce existed, enabling the barter of more coconuts, ubes roots (probably ʻufi (yam)), hogs and water. A 'king' of the island came along, but not on board. "He was equally naked with all the rest", only distinguishable by the respect the islanders paid to him. The next day the Dutch felt that something was in the air, and indeed when the king came along again he suddenly ordered his people into an attack. There were about 700 to 800 of them in 23 double canoes and 45 single canoes. But the Dutch fired their muskets and 3 cannons, and the islanders then quickly made themselves scarce. Schouten and LeMaire continued their westwards trip, leaving Verraders (Traitors) island behind.[3]^{: 177–178}

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1996	1,161	—
2006	1,019	−12.2%
2011	759	−25.5%
2016	739	−2.6%
2021	719	−2.7%
Sources:[4][5][1]

In popular culture

The 2001 film The Other Side of Heaven depicts the LDS missionary efforts of John Groberg on Niuatoputapu. The film was, however, filmed on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands and in Auckland, New Zealand.[6]

2009 tsunami

The island of Niuatoputapu was affected by the magnitude 8 2009 Samoa earthquake and resulting tsunami that occurred in the region of the Samoa Islands region, at 06:48:11 local time on 29 September. (17:48:11 UTC).[7][8] 46 percent of the island was inundated, and more than half the buildings on the island were destroyed.[9] Nine people were killed in Hihifo.

References

External links

Media related to Niuatoputapu at Wikimedia Commons

На других языках

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[de] Niuatoputapu

Niuatoputapu (alte Namen: Verraders Eyland (Schouten), Keppel’s Isle (Wallis)) ist eine zum Königreich Tonga gehörende 18 km² große Insel im Südpazifik. Sie zählt geografisch zur Niua-Gruppe und liegt im äußersten Norden des Königreiches, etwa 300 km nördlich der Hauptgruppe von Tonga.

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- [en] Niuatoputapu

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[es] Niuatoputapu

La isla de Niuatoputapu es la isla principal del grupo Niuas, al norte de Tonga. Está situada a 167 km al norte de Vava'u y a 516 km al norte de Tongatapu. Sus coordenadas son: 16°00′S 173°47′O.

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[fr] Niuatoputapu

Niuatoputapu est une île des Tonga, dans l'océan Pacifique. Peuplée par des populations Lapita vers 3000-2800 av. J.-C, l'île fait ensuite partie du cœur historique de la Polynésie, avec les îles de 'Uvea, Futuna, Samoa et le reste des Tonga. Les habitants développent une langue propre avant d'être conquis par les tongiens vers le XVe siècle, même si l'île reste relativement indépendante. Elle est abordée par des navigateurs hollandais qui la surnomment « île des traîtres », puis par le capitaine Samuel Wallis qui la nomme « Keppel Island ».

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[it] Niuatoputapu

Niuatoputapu è un'isola ed un distretto delle Tonga della divisione di Niuas con 719 abitanti (censimento 2021)[1]. Oltre all'isola Niuatoputapu, nel distretto è inclusa anche l'isola Tafahi.

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[ru] Ниуатопутапу

Ниуатопутапу (англ. Niuatoputapu) — главный остров в группе Ниуас в составе архипелага Тонга (Королевство Тонга). Расположен в 167 км к северу от острова Вавау и в 516 км к северу от острова Тонгатапу.

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