NIUE
An island in Oceania, in the central part of the Pacific Ocean. Area - 262.6 km². Administrative center - Alofi (approx. 1,000). Population - 1,600 (2004). Language - English, however, the majority of the population speaks a local language closely related to Tongan. Religion: the majority of believers are Congregationalist Protestants. Currency - New Zealand dollar.
Captain James Cook visited the island in 1774, and the first missionaries arrived in 1830. In 1901, Great Britain transferred Niue to the administration of New Zealand.
Since 1974, Niue has been a "self-governing state in free association with New Zealand." The head of state is recognized as the High Commissioner appointed by New Zealand (Sandra Lee). There is a Legislative Assembly (20 members, elected for a term of 3 years), which elects the government headed by the Prime Minister (Y. Viviaan).
The economy is primarily based on the cultivation of tropical plants, coconut palms, beekeeping, livestock farming, and copra production. About 80% of foreign trade is with New Zealand. The main export items are copra, timber of valuable species, honey, fruits, and local souvenirs. A significant portion of funding for development assistance programs to island territories comes from New Zealand.
GDP - 10 million USD.
A weekly newspaper "Niue Star" is published (in local and English languages), and there is a government radio broadcasting service and television.
