Information About Tokelau

History of Tokelau

Tokelau, "north wind", was inhabited by the Polynesian migrants from the neighboring islands by 1000 years ago. Atafu atoll was discovered in 1765 by john Byron, Nukunonu discovered by Edwards Edwards in 1971 while Fakaofo discovered in 1835 by Captain Smith as they were sailing along the Pacific Ocean. The early explorers found fishing gear along the shores of the Pacific Ocean showing that the region was being used as a temporary settlement area by the fishers. From 1845, Christian missionaries, protestant society and catholic missionaries had arrived in the island and started teaching their gospel in separate regions. In 1863, Tokelau was subjected to the "council of elders" governance after some of their strong men were slave-traded by the Peruvian but they died before returning to the island. In 1877, the order of councils claimed all the pacific islands under the protection of the United Kingdom where Commander Oldham raised the union flag in all the three atolls and in 1889, the islands fall under the British protectorate. The three islands became under the administration of New Zealand from the Britain in 1926 but they were still under the United Kingdom sovereignty. In 1949, the currently held New Zealand citizenship came to effect after the New Zealand order of council and the British nationality drafted an act. In 2007, referenda tried to change the state from the New Zealand territory to an association but it was not approved.

Geography of Tokelau

Tokelau is an Oceania island in the South Pacific Ocean with the three coral islands lying between New Zealand and Hawaii. It covers an area of 12 square kilometers with a coastline of about 101 kilometers. Pacific Ocean forms the lowest point at zero meters below the sea level and there is unnamed feature about five meters above the sea level which is its highest point. Atafu atoll is the smallest coral island while Nukunonu is the largest.

Climate of Tokelau

Tokelau has a tropical climate with the tropical storms flowing over the island from November to March. The temperature varies annually at an average of 28oc and receives high rainfalls irregularly of about 2900mm. Global warming has posed dangerous threat to the country where in 1990 hurricane ofa wave swept the top soil into the sea, the hurricane val deposited salts after sweeping over the land in 1992 preventing the growth of the plants and in 2005 the hurricane Percy waves caused great damage of property and loss of lives.

Natural Resources in Tokelau

The natural resources in Tokelau are negligible and the rate of overpopulation also minimizes the size of the arable land making large population to live in other areas such as New Zealand. It sales its internet domain to the other nations and markets its fishing rights. The population depends on New Zealand for relief and other assistance. Curved, copra and woven handicrafts and stamps are the only products Tokelau export to the rest of the world and thus it is the only country with the lowest economy in the world.

Tourist Attraction in Tokelau

Tokelau has minimal connections with the rest of the world since there are no airports in the country. They depend on the neighboring countries for international transportation means but it takes three days to sail from Tokelau to Samoa, the neighboring country in the southern region. In Tokelau, there are no harbors, airports nor ports to be used by the tourists. A commercial ship sails after two weeks from Samoa to Tokelau and this is the only means of transport used by the tourists. Tourist attraction sites in Tokelau are limited and the tourists visit the region for the recreation activities such as swimming and others use the lagoons and the coral reefs for snorkelling. Traditional dancing and singing also attract the tourist during the holidays.

Famous Hotels in Tokelau

The absence of attraction sites for the tourists has retarded the development of the islands in Tokelau. The numerous hotels in Tokelau include:

• The Luanaliki - the only hotel in Tokelau. It's located in Nukunonu Island
• The Fale Fa - only resort available, located in Nukunonu too
• The Feliti Lopa - the only guest house in Tokelau. Located in the Atafu Island

Tokelau Culture and Cuisine

Polynesian culture dominates the culture of Tokelau where the age determines the employment status such that the elders manage the top positions. Kin groups manage the lands in Tokelau and there is division of labor with the women managing the villages while farming and fishing is done by the men. Wooden boxes and log drums are the music instruments used during the traditional dancing and the traditional dancers group of Tokelau (the Te Vaka) usually perform the traditional dancing in other countries. Fish, pork, sweet potato and poultry products are the traditional foods in Tokelau. They also use the coconut to make the fermented foods and the commercial stores contain imported food products.