Part 551

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $172 million, about 1% of GDP (1992)

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@Niue ----

(free association with New Zealand)

Map ---

Location: 19 02 S, 169 52 W -- Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga

Flag ----

Description: yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross

Geography ---------

Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga

Geographic coordinates: 19 02 S, 169 52 W

Map references: Oceania

Area: total area: 260 sq km land area: 260 sq km comparative area: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 64 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds

Terrain: steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m

Natural resources: fish, arable land

Land use: arable land: 61% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 19% other: 12%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment: current issues: traditional methods of burning brush and trees to clear land for agriculture have threatened soil supplies which are not naturally very abundant natural hazards: typhoons international agreements: signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea

Geographic note: one of world's largest coral islands

People ------

Population: 2,174 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: -0.62% (1996 est.)