geo.wikisort.org - Island

Nukunonu is the largest atoll within Tokelau, a dependency of New Zealand, in the south Pacific Ocean. It comprises 30 islets surrounding a central lagoon,[1] with about 5.5 km² (2.1 sq mi) of land area and a lagoon surface area of 109 km² (42 sq mi). Motuhaga is the only islet that has inhabitants.^{[citation needed]} The estimated population is 80-120. [2]

Nukunonu

Satellite image of Nukunonu
Nukunonu Location of Nukunonu Atoll Show map of Tokelau Nukunonu Nukunonu (Oceania) Show map of Oceania Nukunonu Nukunonu (Pacific Ocean) Show map of Pacific Ocean
Geography
Archipelago	Tokelau
Total islands	30
Area	5.5 km2 (2.1 sq mi)
Administration
New Zealand
Dependent territory	Tokelau
Largest settlement	Nokunonu Village
Demographics
Population	80-120
Languages	Tokelauan, English

History

The first European vessel known to have come upon Nukunonu was the Royal Navy ship HMS Pandora, in 1791, whose captain, Edward Edwards, named Duke of Clarence Island[3] in honor of Prince William, Duke of Clarence and St Andrews (1765-1837), the third son of King George III and later king himself, as William IV. At the time, the Pandora was searching for mutineers from HMS Bounty. During the early 19th century, Nukunonu's inhabitants were converted to Roman Catholicism by Samoan missionaries.[1]

Between 1856 and 1979, the United States claimed that it held sovereignty over the island and the other Tokelauan atolls. In 1979, the U.S. conceded that Tokelau was under New Zealand sovereignty, and a maritime boundary between Tokelau and American Samoa was established by the Treaty of Tokehega.[4]

Demography

The main settlement on the atoll is located on Nukunonu Island at the southwestern edge of the lagoon with a concrete bridge joining the two areas of settlement. The island's residents depend upon coconuts, pandanus, and marine life for subsistence. Fresh water is scarce; concrete water tanks are incorporated into the bases of newly built houses to collect rainwater from the roofs. Shipping is hampered by the lack of an adequate anchorage.[1] Satellite TV dishes are beginning to appear on some houses in the village.^{[citation needed]}

Tokelau has one hotel, the Luana Liki Hotel, and one resort, Falefa Resort, both situated on Nukunonu. Few tourists visit the country and tourism is not widely promoted. There is ambivalence about tourism, with some Tokelauans wanting to keep the country unaffected by the outside world. Despite this, visitors are greeted with traditional Polynesian hospitality. The Luana Liki Hotel functions mainly to accommodate official visitors, which have included the New Zealand Prime Minister and Governor General. There is one main shop in Nukunonu which sells a limited range of products. Due to the vagaries of shipping schedules, it is at times short of goods.^{[citation needed]}

Local administration consists of a Taupulega (Council of Elders), made up of heads of family groups and two elected members.[1] According to the 2006 census 426 people live on Nukunonu, of which more than 95% belong to the Catholic Church.[5]

Environment

Important Bird Area

Some 60 ha of the eastern side of the atoll has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because the site supports breeding colonies of brown and black noddiess and common white terns, with about 20,000 breeding pairs estimated in 2011.[6]

Economy

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is an important food source here.[7] The Black Rat (Rattus rattus) arrived with European exploration and can take 50% of the yield, but the native Polynesian Rat (R. exulans) will do the same amount of damage anywhere the Black Rat has not become dominant.[7] Rodent control and research on rodent control are important to deal with the problem.[7]

Islands

See also

• List of Guano Island claims
• List of islands of Tokelau

References

External links

На других языках

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[de] Nukunonu

Nukunonu (früher Duke of Clarence’s Island) ist ein Atoll im Pazifik, welches mit den beiden anderen Atollen Fakaofo und Atafu die Gruppe der Tokelau-Inseln bildet. Die Tokelau-Inseln sind ein von Neuseeland abhängiges Gebiet im südlichen Pazifik.

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- [en] Nukunonu

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[fr] Nukunonu

Nukunonu est un ensemble d'îlots de corail aux Tokelau. Nukunonu est, avec une surface totale de 5,5 km², le plus grand des trois groupes d'îles qui constituent le territoire des Tokelau - les deux autres étant Fakaofo et Atafu. Il a la forme d'un atoll, et comprend en son centre un lagon, lequel recouvre environ 90 km². Nukunonu se trouve à 171° 50' ouest, 9° 10' sud.

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[it] Nukunonu

Nukunonu, è un atollo corallino facente parte delle isole Tokelau.

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