Editing Niue (section)

==Geography==
[[File:Niue Küstenlandschaft 2.jpg|thumb|350px|Natural stone arch]]
{{Main|Geography of Niue}}
{{See also|List of villages in Niue}}

Niue is a {{Convert|261.46|km2|abbr=on|adj=on}} [[raised coral atoll]] in the southern Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga.<ref>Jacobson G, Hill PJ (1980) Hydrogeology of a raised coral atoll, Niue Island, South Pacific Ocean. ''Journal of Australian Geology and Geophysics'', '''5''' 271–278.</ref> There are three outlying [[coral]] [[reef]]s within the [[exclusive economic zone]], with no land area:
#[[Beveridge Reef]], {{Convert|240|km|abbr=on}} southeast, submerged [[atoll]] drying during low tide, {{Convert|9.5|km|abbr=on}} north-south, {{Convert|7.5|km|abbr=on}} East-West, total area&nbsp;{{Convert|56|km2|abbr=on}}, no land area, lagoon {{Convert|11|m}} deep.
#Antiope Reef, {{Convert|180|km|abbr=on}} northeast, a circular plateau approximately {{Convert|400|m}} in diameter, with a least depth of {{Convert|9.5|m}}.
#Haran Reef (also known as Harans Reef), {{Convert|294|km|abbr=on}} southeast.

Besides these, Albert Meyer Reef (almost {{Convert|5|km|abbr=on}} long and wide, least depth {{Convert|3|m|abbr=on}}, {{Convert|326|km|abbr=on}} southwest) is not officially claimed by Niue; further, the existence of [[Haymet Rocks]] ({{Convert|1273|km|abbr=on}} east-southeast) is in doubt.

Niue is one of the world's largest [[coral]] islands. The terrain consists of steep [[limestone]] cliffs along the coast with a central [[plateau]] rising to about {{Convert|60|m}} above sea level. A [[coral reef]] surrounds the island, with the only major break in the reef being in the central western coast, close to the capital, Alofi. A number of limestone caves occur near the coast.

The island is roughly oval in shape (with a [[diameter]] of about {{Convert|18|km}}), with two large bays indenting the western coast, Alofi Bay in the centre and [[Avatele]] Bay in the south. Between these is the promontory of Halagigie Point. A small peninsula, TePā Point (Blowhole Point), is close to the settlement of Avatele in the southwest. Most of the population resides close to the west coast, around the capital, and in the northwest.

===Geology===
[[File:CoralChasminNiue.jpg|thumb|350px|Coral chasm]]
Some Niue soils are geochemically very unusual. They are extremely weathered tropical soils, with high levels of iron and aluminium oxides ([[oxisol]]) and mercury, and they contain high levels of [[Background radiation|natural radioactivity]], with [[thorium|Thorium-230]] and [[protoactinium|Protactinium-231]] heading the [[decay chain]]s. This distribution of elements is found naturally on very deep seabeds, but the geochemical evidence suggests that the origin of these elements is extreme [[weathering]] of coral and brief sea submergence [[Pleistocene|120,000 years ago]]. Endothermal upwelling, by which mild volcanic heat draws deep seawater up through the porous coral, almost certainly contributes.<ref>
{{cite journal
 | doi = 10.1080/00288306.1993.9514572
 | last = Whitehead
 | first = N. E.
 | author2=J. Hunt |author3=D. Leslie |author4=P. Rankin
 | date=June 1993
 | title = The elemental content of Niue Island soils as an indicator of their origin
 | journal = New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics
 | volume = 36
 | issue = 2
 | pages = 243–255
 | bibcode = 1993NZJGG..36..243W
 | url = http://www.rsnz.org/publish/nzjgg/1993/24.pdf
 | access-date = 3 December 2007
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071202044236/http://www.rsnz.org/publish/nzjgg/1993/24.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2 December 2007| doi-access = free }}
</ref>

No adverse health effects from the radioactivity or the other trace elements have been demonstrated, and calculations show that the level of radioactivity is probably much too low to be detected in the population. These unusual soils are very rich in [[phosphate]], but it is not accessible to plants, being in the very insoluble form of [[iron phosphate]], or crandallite. It is thought that similar radioactive soils may exist on [[Lifou]] and [[Mare (island)|Mare]] near [[New Caledonia]], and [[Rennell Island|Rennell]] in the [[Solomon Islands]], but no other locations are known.

===Climate===
The island has a [[tropical rainforest climate]] (''Af'') according to the [[Köppen climate classification]] with high temperatures and rainfall throughout the year. Although there are no true wet or dry seasons, there is a noticeably wetter stretch from October to May.
{{Weather box
|location = Alofi
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 38
|Feb record high C = 38
|Mar record high C = 32
|Apr record high C = 36
|May record high C = 30
|Jun record high C = 32
|Jul record high C = 35
|Aug record high C = 37
|Sep record high C = 36
|Oct record high C = 31
|Nov record high C = 37
|Dec record high C = 36
|year record high C = 38
|Jan high C = 28
|Feb high C = 29
|Mar high C = 28
|Apr high C = 27
|May high C = 26
|Jun high C = 26
|Jul high C = 25
|Aug high C = 25
|Sep high C = 26
|Oct high C = 26
|Nov high C = 27
|Dec high C = 28
|year high C = 27
|Jan mean C = 26
|Feb mean C = 27
|Mar mean C = 26
|Apr mean C = 25
|May mean C = 25
|Jun mean C = 23
|Jul mean C = 22
|Aug mean C = 23
|Sep mean C = 23
|Oct mean C = 24
|Nov mean C = 25
|Dec mean C = 26
|year mean C = 25
|Jan low C = 23
|Feb low C = 24
|Mar low C = 24
|Apr low C = 23
|May low C = 22
|Jun low C = 21
|Jul low C = 20
|Aug low C = 20
|Sep low C = 21
|Oct low C = 21
|Nov low C = 22
|Dec low C = 23
|year low C = 22
|Jan record low C = 20
|Feb record low C = 20
|Mar record low C = 20
|Apr record low C = 14
|May record low C = 15
|Jun record low C = 13
|Jul record low C = 11
|Aug record low C = 9
|Sep record low C = 15
|Oct record low C = 15
|Nov record low C = 11
|Dec record low C = 17
|year record low C = 9
|Jan precipitation mm = 261.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 253.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 305.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 202.6
|May precipitation mm = 138.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 88.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 96.4
|Aug precipitation mm = 105.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 102.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 123.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 145.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 196.2
|year precipitation mm = 2018.4
|year precipitation days = 0
|year rain days = 2
|year snow days = 0
|source 1 = Weatherbase<ref name=weather>{{cite web
|url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=22819&refer=&units=metric | title =Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Alofi, Niue | access-date = 3 August 2009
|publisher =Weatherbase }}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

===Environment===
[[File:Niue Coastline.jpg|thumb|350px|Niue's coastline]]
Niue is attempting to pursue a policy of "[[green growth]]". The Niue Island Organic Farmers Association is currently paving way to a [[Multilateral Environmental Agreement]] (MEA) committed to making Niue the world's first fully [[Organic farming|organic]] nation by 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://capacity4dev.ec.europa.eu/acp-meas/document/niue-island-organic-farmers-association |title=Capacity Building related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries: Niue Island Organic Farmers Association |publisher=European Union |access-date=10 December 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220115352/http://capacity4dev.ec.europa.eu/acp-meas/document/niue-island-organic-farmers-association |archive-date=20 December 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://pafpnet.spc.int/attachments/article/776/Niue-Agriculture-Sector-Plan-2015-19.pdf |title=Niue Agriculture Sector Plan 2015–2019 |publisher=Niue Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.organicpasifika.com/poetcom/for-farmers-and-growers/members/niue-island-organic-farmers-association/ |title=Niue Island Organic Farmers Association – PoetCom |website=www.organicpasifika.com |access-date=8 September 2017 |archive-date=9 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909004443/http://www.organicpasifika.com/poetcom/for-farmers-and-growers/members/niue-island-organic-farmers-association/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Although Niue currently has one of the highest rates of [[list of countries by greenhouse gas emissions per capita|greenhouse gas emissions per capita]] in the world,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Simon |title=World carbon emissions: the league table of every country |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/datablog/2012/jun/21/world-carbon-emissions-league-table-country |access-date=29 January 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=21 June 2012 |language=en}}</ref> due to the small population, and the fossil fuel based generating capacity of between 833&nbsp;kW to 1MW, with help from the European Union,<ref name="EEAS2017">{{cite web |url=http://www.delfji.ec.europa.eu/en/achievements/niue.htm |title=Niue |website=[[European External Action Service]] |access-date=23 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226001636/http://www.delfji.ec.europa.eu/en/achievements/niue.htm |archive-date=26 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sunnyportal.com/Templates/PublicPageOverview.aspx?plant=08532994-451b-4b3b-a530-ca48b6ea4537&splang=en-US |title=Niue – Tuila Office Tuila overview |website=Sunnyportal.com |access-date=23 August 2017 }}</ref> Niue aims to use 80% renewable energy by 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www4.unfccc.int/submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Niue/1/Niue%20INDC%20Final.pdf |title=Niue: Intended Nationally Determined Contributions |publisher=[[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://prdrse4all.spc.int/system/files/niue_strategic_energy_road_map_2015-2025_updated_3.pdf|title=Niue Strategic Energy Road Map 2015–2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/288763/niue-to-embrace-more-solar-and-wind-power |title=Niue to embrace more solar and wind power |date=3 November 2015 |publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]] }}</ref> 

In July 2009, a [[solar panel]] system was installed, injecting about 50&nbsp;kW into the Niue national power grid. This is nominally 6% of the average 833&nbsp;kW electricity production. The solar panels are at [[Niue High School]] (20&nbsp;kW), [[Niue Power Corporation]] office, (1.7&nbsp;kW)<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.sunnyportal.com/Templates/PublicPageOverview.aspx?plant=08532994-451b-4b3b-a530-ca48b6ea4537&splang=en-US |title=Niue – Tuila Office – Tuila overview |publisher=Sunny Portal |access-date=26 June 2010}}</ref> and the [[Niue Foou Hospital]] (30&nbsp;kW). The EU-funded grid-connected [[photovoltaic system]]s are supplied under the REP-5 programme and were installed recently by the Niue Power Corporation on the roofs of the high school and the power station office and on ground-mounted support structures in front of the hospital. They will be monitored and maintained by the NPC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.delfji.ec.europa.eu/en/achievements/niue.htm|title=Achievements for Niue|publisher=The European Commission's Delegation to the Pacific|access-date=31 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226001636/http://www.delfji.ec.europa.eu/en/achievements/niue.htm|archive-date=26 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2014, two additional solar power installations were added to the Niue national power grid. One was funded under [[PALM5]] of Japan and is located outside the Tuila power station; so far, only this has battery storage. The second power station is under European Union funding; it is located opposite the [[Niue International Airport]] Terminal.

In 2023, the governments of Niue and other island states at risk from climate change ([[Fiji]], the [[Solomon Islands]], [[Tuvalu]], [[Tonga]] and [[Vanuatu]]) launched the "Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific", calling for the phasing out of [[fossil fuel]]s; a "rapid and [[just transition]]" to [[renewable energy]]; and a strengthening of [[environmental law]], including introducing the crime of [[ecocide]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Six Island Nations Commit to 'Fossil Fuel-Free Pacific,' Demand Global Just Transition |url=https://www.commondreams.org/news/fossil-fuel-free-pacific |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=www.commondreams.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-22 |title=Port Vila call to phase out fossil fuels |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/486463/port-vila-call-to-phase-out-fossil-fuels |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ligaiula |first=Pita |date=2023-03-17 |title=Port Vila call for a just transition to a fossil fuel free Pacific {{!}} PINA |url=https://pina.com.fj/2023/03/17/port-vila-call-for-a-just-transition-to-a-fossil-fuel-free-pacific/ |access-date=2023-07-01 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2022, Niue declared its entire [[EEZ]] to be a [[Niue Nukutuluea Multiple-Use Marine Park|marine park]], though enforcement of that declaration would be a challenge. The entire Fisheries Division was reported to have only five staff and there were no locally based patrol boats. Enforcement would depend on stronger support from the [[New Zealand Defence Forces]], though its ability to maintain a continuous presence was limited.<ref name="news_mongabay_com">{{cite web|url=https://news.mongabay.com/2022/11/small-island-big-ocean-niue-makes-its-entire-eez-a-marine-park/ |title=Small island, big ocean: Niue makes its entire EEZ a marine park |access-date=22 August 2023 |last=Evans |first=Monica |website=Mongabay |date=3 November 2022}}</ref>

===Flora and fauna===
[[File:Pandanus tectorius (5187733419) (2).jpg|thumb|Pandanus]]
{{See also|Niue Nukutuluea}}
Niue is part of the [[Tongan tropical moist forests]] terrestrial ecoregion.<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=1|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287|doi-access=free}}</ref> The island is home to approximately 60 native or pre-European plants, and approximately 160 naturalised flowering plant species.<ref name="Gardner">{{Cite Q|Q106828180}}</ref> Compared to other Polynesian islands, Niue has sparse documentation for what plants were traditionally found on the island (almost no records are found between the documentation by James Cook's crew in 1774, and [[Truman G. Yuncker]]'s botanical survey of the island in 1940).<ref name="Gardner"/>

The '''Huvalu Forest Conservation Area''' is a 5,400&nbsp;hectare (20 sq. mi.) site on the eastern side of the island. It was established in 1992 and protects the largest area of [[primary forest]] in Niue.<ref name=sprep>{{cite web|url= https://pipap.sprep.org/content/huvalu-forest-conservation-area-niue|title= Huvalu Forest Conservation Area (Niue)|author= <!--Not stated-->|date= 2021|website= Pacific Islands Protected Area Portal|publisher= Pacific Regional Environment Programme|access-date= 6 March 2021|archive-date= 1 January 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220101070738/https://pipap.sprep.org/content/huvalu-forest-conservation-area-niue|url-status= dead}}</ref> It has been designated an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA) by [[BirdLife International]] because it supports populations of [[crimson-crowned fruit dove]]s, [[blue-crowned lorikeet]]s, [[Polynesian triller]]s and [[Polynesian starling]]s.<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/huvalu-and-environs-iba-niue-(to-new-zealand)|title= Huvalu and environs|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2021|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 6 March 2021}}</ref>