Alofi

For the island, part of Wallis and Futuna, see Alofi Island.
Alofi
—  City  —
Alofi street scene
Location of Alofi (star).
Administrative divisions of Niue with Alofi on the western side of the island.
Country Niue
Village Alofi North and Alofi South
Government
 • Assemblyman of Alofi North Vaiga Tukuitoga[1]
 • Assemblyman of Alofi South Dalton Tagelagi[2]
Area
 • Area of both Alofi North and Alofi South 46.48 km2 (17.9 sq mi)
Elevation[3] 21 m (69 ft)
Population (2006)[4]
 • Total 581
 • Density 12.5/km2 (32.46/sq mi)
 • Alofi North 147
 • Alofi South 434
Resident Population[5]
 • Residents (Alofi North) 143
 • Visitors (Alofi North) 4
 • Resident (Alofi South) 411
 • Visitor (Alofi South) 23
Time zone UTC-11 (UTC-11)
Area code(s) +683

Alofi is the capital city of the Pacific Ocean nation of Niue. With a population of 581 (census of 2006), Alofi has the distinction of being the smallest national capital city in terms of population. It consists of the two villages Alofi North (pop. 147) and Alofi South, where the government headquarters are located. (pop. 434).[4]

Contents

Geography

It is located at the centre of Alofi Bay on the west coast of the island, close to the only break in the coral reef that surrounds Niue. The bay stretches for 30% of the island's length (about seven kilometres) from Halagigie Point in the south to Makapu Point in the north. It is also notable that Alofi contains the world's largest toothbrush fence.

History

In January 2004, Niue was hit by the fierce tropical storm Cyclone Heta which killed two people and did extensive damage to the entire island. Many of Alofi's buildings were destroyed, including the hospital. Government buildings were shifted to a less exposed site 3 km inland from the west coast, named Fonuakula, after the storm.[6] This site is still within the village boundaries of Alofi South.

Climate

Alofi features a tropical rainforest climate under the Koppen climate classification, with no discernable dry season. The city has a noticeably drier stretch from June through September. However, all of these months average more than 60 mm of rain, the limit for a dry season month. Like other cities with this climate, average temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the year, with temperatures averaging around 25 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

Alofi
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
260
 
28
23
 
 
250
 
29
24
 
 
300
 
28
24
 
 
200
 
27
23
 
 
130
 
26
22
 
 
80
 
26
21
 
 
90
 
25
20
 
 
100
 
25
20
 
 
100
 
26
21
 
 
120
 
26
21
 
 
140
 
27
22
 
 
190
 
28
23
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Weatherbase[3]

Notes

  1. ^ New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  2. ^ Government of Niue
  3. ^ a b Weatherbase
  4. ^ a b SPC 2008, p.4.
  5. ^ SPC 2008, p.5.
  6. ^ East-West Center

References

External links

Capitals of Oceania
Capitals of non-sovereign territories shown in SmallCaps
1 Territory of Australia.  2 Often included in Polynesia.  3 Often included in Southeast Asia.  4 Overseas collectivity of France.  5 Often included in Australasia.  6 Insular area of the United States.  7 Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom.8 In free association with New Zealand.  9 Territory of Chile.  10 U.S. state.11 New Zealand dependent territory.
Villages of Niue
Motu (northern area)
Makefu • Tuapa • Namukulu • Hikutavake • Toi • Mutalau • Lakepa • Liku
Tafiti (southern area)
Hakupu • Vaiea • Avatele • Tamakautoga • Alofi South • Alofi North