Fakaofo Atoll, Tokelau
GENERAL INFORMATION
Official Name Tokelau (New Zealand dependent territory)
Languages Tokelauan, English
Official Currency New Zealand Dollar
Religions Congregational, Catholic, others
Population 1,300
Latitude/Longitude 171° 15′ West, 9° 25′ South
This is a small group of coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean. The actual land area is only about 3 km², consisting of islets on a coral reef surrounding a central lagoon of some 45 km². Fakaofo, (formerly known as Bowditch Island) is about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. Discovered (1835) by whalers, in 1889 the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate, and then transferred to New Zealand administration in 1926. The inhabitants cultivate coconuts, breadfruits, taros and bananas.
