Tokelau Map and Information, Map of Tokelau, Facts, Figures and Geography of Tokelau -Worldatlas.com - WorldAtlas.com Tokelau Map and Information, Map of Tokelau, Facts, Figures and Geography of Tokelau -Worldatlas.com Print this map This small group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand, was originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups. In 1889 the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate, and then transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925. A large number of Tokelauan people live in New Zealand in an effort to support their families. Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people continually rely heavily on aid from New Zealand.

Quick Facts and Figures Official Name: Tokelau (a New Zealand dependent territory, claimed 1926) Capital City: none Official Currency: New Zealand Dollar Religions: Congregational, Catholic, others Population: 1,392 (July 2006 est.) Land Area: 10 sq km (3.8 sq miles) Latitude/Longitude: 9º 00' S, 172º 00' W Tokelau Coins and brief History It is known as New Zealand territory of Tokelau. Tokelau consists of three atolls totaling about 12 square kilometers. Capital: Fakaofo (officially None, each atoll has its own administrative center). Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD). bf.1600 Fakaofo (the senior polity) founded; Nukunonu and Atafu later become independent. 21 Jun 1765 Atafu discovered by Commodore John Byron on the Dolphin, and named Duke of York Island. 06 Jun 1791 Nukunonu discovered by Capt. Edward Edwards on HMS Pandora and is named Duke of Clarence Island.

28 Jan 1841 Fakaofo visited by the U.S. Exploration Expedition and is named Bowditch Island. 13 Aug 1877 Under British jurisdiction by British Western Pacific order. 21 Jun 1889 Formal British protectorate (Union Islands or Union Group) proclaimed by Commander Oldham aboard the HMS Egeria. 13 Aug 1877 - 1926 Part of the British Western Pacific Territories. 29 Feb 1916 Union Group (Tokelau) becomes part of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands ( Kiribati and Tuvalu ). 1925 Separated from Gilbert and Ellice Islands; administered by the Governor-general of New Zealand. 11 Feb 1926 Governor-general's powers delegated to the Administrator (later High commissioner) of Western Samoa. 1946 Renamed Tokelau Islands. 01 Jan 1949 Incorporated into New Zealand. 09 Dec 1976 Renamed Tokelau. 02 Dec 1980 U.S.

recognizes Atafu, Fafaofu, and Nukunono atolls as part of Tokelau (effective 3 Sep 1983). 16 Feb 2006 Referendum on self-government status in free association with New Zealand fails; 349 yes to 232 short of the the 2/3 required for approval. 24 Oct 2007 Referendum on self-government status in free association with New Zealand fails; 446 yes to 246; which is 16 votes short of the 2/3 required. Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand consisting of three coral atolls in the South Pacific: Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo. These atolls lie between 171ï¿½ and 173ï¿½ W longitude and 8ï¿½ and 10ï¿½ S latitude, approximately mid-way between Hawaii and New Zealand and about 500 km north of Samoa.

Formerly known as the Union Islands, the name 'Tokelau Islands' was adopted in 1946 and then shortened to 'Tokelau' in 1976. Tokelau can be taken to refer more immediately to some concept of nationhood, arguably infusing increased meaning to the draft 2006 independence constitution of Tokelau which, controversially or not, defines Swains Island (Olohega), currently part of American Samoa, as part of the national territory. The islands are Atafu, at one time known as the Duke of York Group, Nukunonu, also the Duke of Clarence Group, and Fakaofo, once Bowditch Island. The roughly 1500 hardy inhabitants of Tokelau, unofficially known as Tokelauans, are thought to have settled the islands more than a thousand years ago- thus, they are generically recognized as being Polynesians. 'Tokelau' is Polynesian for 'North Wind'. According to archaeological evidence, the islands were settled about 1000 years ago.

Several hundred years of oral history remain, showing a belief in Polynesian mythology and the worship of the god Tui Tokelau. Tokelauan society was ruled by clans. Each atoll was independent until the 18th century, when Fakaofo conquered Atafu and Nukunonu and united the three atolls. Inhabitants lived a subsistence lifestyle, relying on fish and coconuts for sustenance. Vice-Admiral John Byron of England found Atafu on his 1765 voyage but saw no signs of inhabitants. In 1791, Captain Edward Edwards found Nukunonu while searching for mutineers from the HMS Bounty. The US whaling ship General Jackson reached the island of Fakaofo in 1835. Catholic and Protestant missionaries from Samoa sailed to the islands in the mid-1800's, the former converting most inhabitants of Nukunonu and the latter converting most of the inhabitants of Atafu. Both groups of missionaries worked on Fakaofo, resulting in a mix of Catholics and Protestants on this atoll. In 1889, the islands were claimed by Britain.

They became part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands (Kiribati and Tuvalu) in 1916, which was then renamed the Union Group. Though Tokelauans are Polynesian, some have European names, a result of visits by whalers and European explorers in the late 19th century. Tokelau culture is Polynesian culture. Sharing of resources according to need and respect for elders are integral characteristics of this culture. Age typically determines the level of employment; the older Tokelauans holding managerial positions. In 1925, the islands came under the administration of New Zealand. They became a New Zealand territory in 1948. As a territory, Tokelau has had an Administrator appointed by the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs; however, in 2004, the Administrator delegated his powers to the three Village Councils. Since 1996, Tokelau has also had a legislative body, called the General Fono council, which deals with national issues. In addition, every three years, a Village Head is elected. Daily activities in the villages are managed by elected mayors.

New Zealand statutory laws do not apply to Tokelau except when they are expressly extended to the territory. New Zealand contributes development assistance to Tokelau, which amounts to most of the territory's budget. In 2006, and 2007, Tokelauans held referenda to decide whether to move to self government in free association with New Zealand. In both referenda, the citizens failed to achieve the required two thirds majority. Tokelau is a full or associate member of many international organizations, including South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme, the Forum Fisheries Agency, the World Health Organization, and UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Tokelau has no harbors or ports nor does it have an airport.The best way for tourists and travelers to get to Tokelau is from Apia, Samoa, by ship, which runs every two weeks. Today, more Tokelauans live outside Tokelau than on the islands, mostly in New Zealand. According to the Central Intelligence Agency's list of countries by GDP, Tokelau has the smallest economy of any country in the world, with an annual purchasing power of about US $1,000 (ï¿½674) per capita.

Most food and drink is shipped to the islands, as little can be grown on these coral atolls. There is little native fauna on the atolls. Lizards are common. Migratory seabirds visit Tokelau frequently. The geographic future of Tokelau depends on the height of the ocean. No significant land is more than two meters above high water of ordinary tides. This means Tokelau is particularly vulnerable to any possible sea level rises caused by global warming. Tokelau has few natural resources, however recently became the first nation to be completely solar powered. New Zealand Dollar is used in Tokelau, but a few commemorative coins are produced from time to time, since 1978. Samoa Map and Information, Map of Samoa, Facts, Figures and Geography of Samoa -Worldatlas.com - WorldAtlas.com Samoa Map and Information, Map of Samoa, Facts, Figures and Geography of Samoa -Worldatlas.com Print this map Samoa, formerly called Western Samoa, is famed for its natural beauty and friendly people. Originally settled by the Tongan Polynesians, it was the European explorers and missionaries that transformed these islands for better or for worse.

Christianity was introduced to the natives, and many local customs soon disappeared. At the conclusion of World War I, and for 42 years, New Zealand occupied and administered the islands. Then, in 1962, Samoa became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish its independence in the 20th Century. The large islands of Saval'i and Upolu are mountainous (volcanic in origin), and covered with heavy forests. Both are ringed by coral reefs. The local population is mostly indigenous Samoans. The port city of Apia is the center of local government and trade, and the economy revolves around agriculture, lumber and tourism. American Samoa, a neighboring group of islands, shares the same culture, and much of the same history. For additional info about Samoa, go Official Name Independent State of Samoa Population 176,908 (2006 estimate) Tokelau : A Tourism, Travel, and Information Guide : Basecamp International BASECAMP INTERNATIONAL One of the larger cities in Romania- located at the mouth of the famous Danube River. Fakaofo settlement from the air. Image courtesy of Tokelau Liaison Office, Samoa.

Click here to see more photos of Tokelau Introduction to Tokelau: Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand consisting of three coral atolls in the South Pacific: Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo. These atolls lie approximately mid-way between Hawaii and New Zealand and about 500 km north of Samoa. Formerly known as the Union Islands, the name 'Tokelau Islands' was adopted in 1946 and then shortened to 'Tokelau' in 1976. The roughly 1500 hardy inhabitants of Tokelau, unofficially known as Tokelauans, are thought to have settled the islands more than a thousand years ago- thus, they are generically recognized as being Polynesians (and darn proud of it) - and this pride fits well with their culture... Fakaofo youth fishing on the outer reef. Image courtesy of Tokelau Liaison Office, Samoa 'Tokelau' is Polynesian for 'North Wind'. According to archaeological evidence, the islands were settled about 1000 years ago.

Tokelau has no harbors or ports nor does it have an airport.The best way for tourists and travelers to get to Tokelau is from Apia, Samoa, by ship, which runs every 2 weeks.. Today, more Tokelauans live outside Tokelau than on the islands. About 6,800 live in New Zealand. According to the Central Intelligence Agency's list of countries by GDP, Tokelau has the smallest economy of any country in the world, with an annual purchasing power of about US $1,000 (€674) per capita. Most food and drink is shipped to the islands, as little can be grown on these coral atolls. There is little native fauna on the atolls. Lizards are common. Migratory seabirds visit Tokelau frequently. The geographic future of Tokelau depends on the height of the ocean. No significant land is more than two metres above high water of ordinary tides. This means Tokelau is particularly vulnerable to any possible sea level rises caused by global warming. Facts & Information: Click here to see more photos History According to archaeological evidence, the islands were settled about 1000 years ago.

Several hundred years of oral history remain, showing a belief in Polynesian mythology and the worship of the god Tui Tokelau. Tokelauan society was ruled by clans. Each atoll was independent until the 18th century, when Fakaofo conquered Atafu and Nukunonu and united the three atolls. Inhabitants lived a subsistence lifestyle, relying on fish and coconuts for sustenance. Vice-Admiral John Byron of England found Atafu on his 1765 voyage but saw no signs of inhabitants. In 1791, Captain Edward Edwards found Nukunonu while searching for mutineers from the HMS Bounty. The US whaling ship General Jackson reached the island of Fakaofo in 1835. Catholic and Protestant missionaries from Samoa sailed to the islands in the mid-1800's, the former converting most inhabitants of Nukunonu and the latter converting most of the inhabitants of Atafu. Both groups of missionaries worked on Fakaofo, resulting in a mix of Catholics and Protestants on this atoll. Atafu village.

Image courtesy Click here to see more photos In 1889, the islands were claimed by Britain. They became part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands (Kiribati and Tuvalu) in 1916, which was then renamed the Union Group. Though Tokelauans are Polynesian, some have European names, a result of visits by whalers and European explorers in the late 19th century. Government & Politics In 1925, the islands came under the administration of New Zealand. They became a New Zealand territory in 1948. Today, more Tokelauans live outside Tokelau than on the islands. About 6,800 live in New Zealand. As a territory, Tokelau has had an Administrator appointed by the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs; however, in 2004, the Administrator delegated his powers to the three Village Councils. The ballot box arrives on the atoll of Atafu - photo courtesy of Richard Simpsons Click here to see more Tokelau photos Since 1996, Tokelau has also had a legislative body, called the General Fono council, which deals with national issues.

In addition, every three years, a Village Head is elected. Daily activities in the villages are managed by elected mayors. New Zealand statutory laws do not apply to Tokelau except when they are expressly extended to the territory. New Zealand contributes development assistance to Tokelau, which amounts to most of the territory's budget. In 2006, and 2007, Tokelauans held referenda to decide whether to move to self government in free association with New Zealand. In both referenda, the citizens failed to achieve the required two thirds majority. Tokelau is a full or associate member of many international organizations, including South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme, the Forum Fisheries Agency, the World Health Organization, and UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Polynesian Culture Tokelau culture is Polynesian culture. Sharing of resources according to need and respect for elders are integral characteristics of this culture. Age typically determines the level of employment; the older Tokelauans holding managerial positions. Fiafia night (a traditional dance) on Nukunonu Atoll. Image courtesy of Tokelau Liaison Office, Samoa.

Click here to see more Tokelau photos The division of labor has men involved mostly in fishing, farming, and construction and women in maintaining the villages. However, many Tokelauans are employed in public service, and such divisions of labor are blurred in these occupations. Most of the land is managed by kin groups. Many Tokelauans are members of more than one kin group. Essentially all Tokelauans have rights to land and to a share of the produce of the land. Although land can be transferred to other Tokelauans, it cannot be transferred to foreigners. Each atoll consists of one village. The villages have a small-town, rural character, although, as a result of the small amount of inhabitable land, they are densely populated. All the villages hold regular inter-island sports, dancing, and fishing competitions. There is one school on each atoll, which provides education for pre-schoolers and kids years 1 through 10. There is one University extension, the University of the South Pacific, on Atafu. The population dresses conservatively and strictly observes the Christian Sabbath. Atafu is the most conservative island. There, alcohol is rationed.

Tokelau traditional woven handicrafts Traditional foods include fish, sweet potato, taro root, breadfruit, pork, poultry, and coconuts. A fermented drink, Kaleva, is made from coconut milk. Imported foods are available in the village cooperative stores. Homes historically were made of local timber with thatch rooves; however, in the 1970's, imported wood and concrete were used to construct sturdier homes. Still, many residences are one-room dwellings with carpets consisting of mats made with leaves, sleeping mats, various chairs, tables, and other furnishings. Cook houses are typically separate. Satellite TV and internet are recent arrivals to Tokelau. Listen to the Te Vaka Band! Tokelauans produce fine woven handicrafts, such as mats, bags, hats, and fans. Tokelau stamps and coins are also sold as collectibles. Traditional Tokelauan music starts with choral elements and adds percussion with log drums, wooden boxes, and biscuit tins. A Tokelauan music group, Te Vaka ('the Canoe') brings Tokelauan music and dance to international destinations.

Tokelau celebrates both religious and secular holidays with feasts, athletic competitions, and parades. In addition to celebrating New Zealand public holidays, such as Waitangi Day (the day British sovereignty was established over New Zealand, February 6th), and traditional Christian holidays. Tokelau island councils designate two village holidays each year. Travel & Tourism: There is little tourism on the atolls of Tokelau. Thus there are few tourist attractions... which means that a visit to Tokelau affords a quiet getaway, far off the beaten path. What to Do & See The main recreational activities are swimming and snorkeling in the lagoons and coral reefs. During a special event, such as a holiday or pageant, tourists may be treated to performances such as traditional singing and dancing. Tokelau's only Resort is the Fale Fa Image courtesy of Lui Pedro, Tokelau Click here to see more photos Where to Stay There is one hotel in Tokelau, the Luanaliki. This hotel is located on Nukunonu. There is one resort, Fale Fa, also on Nukunonu. There is also a guest house on Atafu, the Feliti Lopa.

Getting There & Away The best way for tourists and travelers to get to Tokelau is from Apia, Samoa, by ship. The government-run MV Tokelau provides passenger and cargo services to and from Apia every two weeks. The trip takes about 24-36 hours each way, and the ship makes the round trip in five days. Passengers must bring their own mattresses to sleep on. Food is provided, and there is one bathroom for the passengers. Since there is no harbor in Tokelau, launches are used to embark and disembark. The ship's schedule can be found here . There is also a larger ship that makes the trip once a month. The only other ways to get to Tokelau are by private boat or private helicopter. Getting Around The distances around the atolls are short, so one can travel on foot within an atoll. Tourists can travel between atolls on a dinghy or traditional outrigger canoe. TRAVEL to TOKELAU!

American Samoa: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture, Facts, Guide & Travel/Holidays/Cities Capital (2011 est.): Pago Pago, 64,000 Total area: 77 sq mi (199 sq km) Population (2014 est.): 54,517 (growth rate: –0.35%); birth rate: 22.87/1000; infant mortality rate: 8.92/1000; life expectancy: 74.91 Languages: Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%, other 2% note: most people are bilingual (2000 census) Ethnicity/race: Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 91.6%, Asian 2.8%, white 1.1%, mixed 4.2%, other 0.3% (2000 est.) Religions: Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%,

 Protestant and other 30% Literacy rate: 97% (1980 est.) Monetary unit: U.S.

dollar Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $575.3 million; per capita $8,000. Real growth rate: 3%. Inflation: n.a. Unemployment: 29.8% (2005). Arable land: 9.5%. Agriculture: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock. Labor force: 17,630 (2005); government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990). Industries: tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts. Natural resources: pumice, pumicite. Exports: $445.6 million (2004 est.): canned tuna 93% (2004 est.).

Imports: $308.8 million (2004 est.): materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6% (2004 est.). Major trading partners: Samoa, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Germany (2004). Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 10,000 (2012); mobile cellular: 2,550 (1997). Broadcast media: 3 TV stations; multi-channel pay TV services are available; about a dozen radio stations, some of which are repeater stations (2009). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2,387 (2012). Internet users: n.a. Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 241 km. Ports and harbors: Pago Pago. Airports: 3 (2013). International disputes: Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island (Olosega) in its 2006 draft independence constitution.

Major sources and definitions American Samoa, a group of five volcanic islands and two coral atolls located some 2,600 mi south of Hawaii in the South Pacific, is an unincorporated, unorganized territory of the U.S. It includes the eastern Samoan islands of Tutuila, Aunu'u, and Rose; three islands (Ta'u, Olosega, and Ofu) of the Manu'a group; and Swains Island. Around 1000 B.C. Proto-polynesians established themselves in the islands, and their descendants are one of the few remaining Polynesian societies. The Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen sighted the Manu'a Islands in 1722. American Samoa has been a territory of the United States since April 17, 1900, when the High Chiefs of Tutuila signed the first of two Deeds of Cession for the islands to the U.S. (Congress ratified the Deeds in 1929.) Swains Island, which is privately owned, came under U.S. administration in 1925. Until World War II the United States operated a coaling station and naval base in Pago Pago.

During the war, the islands were an important U.S. Marines staging area. In 1960 American Samoa ratified its territorial constitution and has since developed a modern, self-governing political system. American Samoans elect a governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature. The legislature (Fono) consists of two houses: the Senate, selected by village chiefs (matai) for four-year terms, and the House of Representatives, elected by the general population for two-year terms. The people of American Samoa are U.S. nationals, not U.S. citizens, but many have become naturalized American citizens. American Samoa does 80%–90% of its foreign trade with the U.S. Canned tuna is the primary export, earning $300 million annually. Transfers from the U.S. government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being.

Samoa: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture, Facts, Guide & Travel/Holidays/Cities National Holiday: Flag Day, November 1 Literacy rate: 98.8% (2003 est.) Economic summary: GDP/PPP $1.145 billion (2013 est.); per capita $6,200 (2013 est). Real growth rate: 0.1% (2013 est). Inflation: 2.7% (2013). Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 2.82%. Agriculture: coconuts, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa. Labor force: 47,930 (2011 est.). Industries: food processing, building materials, auto parts. Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower. Exports: $11.4 million (2011): fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, automotive parts, garments, beer. Imports: $318.7 million (2011): machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs.

Major trading partners: American Samoa, Australia, U.S., New Zealand, Fiji, Singapore, China (2012). Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 35,300 (2010); mobile cellular: 167,400 (2010). Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004). Radios: 174,849 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 4 (2009). Televisions: 8,634 (1999). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 18,013 (2012). Internet users: 9,000 (2009). Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 2,337 km; paved: 332 km; unpaved: 2,005 km (2001 est.). Ports and harbors: Apia. Airports: 4 (2013). International disputes: none.

Major sources and definitions Geography Samoa, formerly Western Samoa, is in the South Pacific Ocean about 2,200 mi (3,540 km) south of Hawaii. The larger islands in the Samoan chain, Upolu and Savai'i, are mountainous and of volcanic origin. There is little level land except in the coastal areas, where most cultivation takes place. Government Constitutional monarchy under a native chief. History Polynesians, possibly from Tonga, first settled in the Samoan islands about 1000 B.C. Samoa was explored by Dutch and French traders in the 18th century. Toward the end of the 19th century, conflicting interests of the U.S., Britain, and Germany resulted in an 1899 treaty that recognized the paramount interests of the U.S. in those islands west of 171°W (American Samoa) and Germany's interests in the other islands (Western Samoa). New Zealand seized Western Samoa from Germany in 1914, and in 1946 it became a UN trust territory administered by New Zealand.

A resistance movement to both German and New Zealand rule, known as the Mau (“strongly held view”) movement, helped to edge the islands toward independence on Jan. 1, 1962. A constitutional monarchy, Samoa has a legislative assembly whose members are from the matai, or titled class. Barraged regularly by cyclones that have wreaked havoc on the country's primarily agrarian economy, Samoa has begun stepping up its tourism industry—not such a difficult undertaking in this archetypal South Pacific paradise. A referendum in 1990 gave women the right to vote for the first time. In 1997, a new constitutional amendment changed the country's name to Samoa. See also Encyclopedia: Samoa . The Pacific Region The Pacific Region Review Questions Regional Characteristics The vast realm of the Pacific Islands is often called Oceania and includes approximately 30,000 islands. The islands comprise a mere 376,000 square miles, but they are spread throughout the largest ocean, the Pacific. This total geographical area, spreading over several million square miles, encompasses almost an entire hemisphere.

The study of the Pacific Islands helps us to see the impact that isolation, scarcity of resources and land, small populations, limited economic opportunities, and social/ political dysfunction, and colonialism can have on a region. The islands of the Pacific are formed in three basic ways. The first is when a volcanic eruption occurs and produces an island with an extremely rugged inner core. This type of island frequently has a higher altitude in the center, making it a "high" island. High islands have the benefit of orographic precipitation due to warm ocean air being forced up to higher altitudes due to the height of the mountainous interior of the island. At higher altitudes, the air cools and rain falls as a result. The islands can also form as flat atolls on top of a coral reef. This produces "low" islands, which have little to no precipitation. Instead, they exhibit desert-like conditions with very little water. Third, the islands can form as a combination of the volcanic and coral reef formation. This can occur where the volcanic island forms and a coral reef forms around it, but the volcanic island is below sea level and the coral reef forms a donut shaped island around it above water.

Frequently, the volcanic activity produces a high island and the coral reef surrounds it, mostly under water, and serves to protect the island from erosion. The islands were initially populated as people migrated from south and eastern Asia. The indigenous people of this region migrated in a sweeping motion from the area of Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, etc.) eastward to Melanesia, north to Micronesia, and even further east to Polynesia. These are the three main areas of the Pacific Islands. The physical geography of the islands made economic development difficult. The islands are frequently rugged due to volcanic origin or arid due to coral reef formation. They are, for the most part, relatively small and limited in their carrying capacity. Great distances often isolate individual islands, which makes communication difficult. Most peoples relied on subsistence farming and fishing to survive, with very little trade between islands. Colonialization had severely disrupted traditional life on the islands by the late 19th century. The islands were mostly governed by artificial colonial administrative groupings that disregarded historical culture and resource utilization patterns. Plantation agriculture of sugar cane, coffee, tea and cacao was introduced, as well as mining of gold, copper, nickel, manganese, petroleum and natural gas.

The lives of the natives was further disrupted by importation of alien laborers, which included Indians to Fiji, Chinese to French Polynesia, Koreans to Guam, Palau, and the Northern Mariana, Vietnamese to New Caledonia, and Japanese to Micronesia. Hawaii was an extreme case as the native Hawaiian population is now a tiny minority. Altogether today, there are 23 political entities. The 10 independent nations are Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Kiribati, Western Samoa, and Tonga. The 5 self-governing nations in free association with former colonial rulers are Solomon Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Tuvalu, Niue, and Cook Islands. The dependent nations are New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Wallis & Futuna of France, Pitcairn of Britain, Guam and American Samoa of the U.S., as well as Hawaii being a U.S. state. This mosaic of political structures is a result of the region's complex colonial history and post-independence struggles.

The colonizers, making the islanders dependent on imported food and goods, destroyed the subsistence economy. Also destroyed were the traditional diets, social patterns, and mores. Even if the Pacific Islands had not been invaded and colonized, they would have faced challenges in the global economy. Traditional societies were typically hierarchical and community based, and they were dependent on fishing and subsistence farming of coconuts, taro, breadfruit, and other fruits and tubers. They had to deal with severe storms, famines, and other disasters. However, the people of the islands usually had a beautiful environment, temperate/tropical climate, and fairly stable populations and societies. Had the outside world remained outside, the people might have been able to maintain their traditional, isolated lifestyles without worry of the world around them. The culture of the people often depends on if they are on a high island or a low island. The low coral islands outnumber the high volcanic islands. High islands tend to be well-watered and have good volcanic soil. As a result, agricultural products show some diversity and life is more secure. Populations tend to be larger on these islands. On the low islands, drought is the rule and fishing and the coconut palm are the mainstays of life.

Small communities cluster on the low islands, and many of these have died out over time. Today, the people of the islands face serious socioeconomic and political problems. They are victims of high rates of morbidity and infant mortality, short life expectancy, imbalanced diets, obesity, health problems, alcoholism, drug violence, and gangs. They also are faced with the problem of how to deal with ineffective governments, uncertain national identities, decreasing agricultural opportunities, increasing urban migration, and very low literacy and education standards. Table 1. The population and political structure of the three main regions of islands in the Pacific Region. Regional Name U.K. Territory > 100 The population of the islands is diverse, and the highest concentration is in Melanesia, with no island having a population less than 200,000. Papua New Guinea has the highest population with 4.8 million, and Hawaii is a distant second with 1.2 million. Polynesia, aside from Hawaii, clearly has the most island with small populations, but Micronesia has the smallest total population overall. The total population for the Pacific Islands is about 8.85 million.

These islands do not have high a high GNP per capita, which further confirms their low status on the world's economic stage. Melanesia Melanesia consists of a group of islands stretching along the northern perimeter of Australia from New Guinea east to Fiji. Its major island groups include the nations of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. The name is derived from the word melanin, which is the pigment in the skin and refers to the dark skin and hair of the native Papuan-speaking people that dominate this area. The Melanesian islands are the most populous of the Pacific island regions with a total population of approximately 6.4 million, 4.8 million of which live on Papua New Guinea. Subsistence farming has long since been a way of life for the people of Melanesia. Except for Papua New Guinea, which has copper, gold and oil, and New Caledonia, with nickel, most islands still rely on coconut and copra for their export income. The islands tend to remain poor because of their limited resources. Tourism has had little impact on the peoples or the economies of Melanesia.

Papua New Guinea became a sovereign state in 1975 after almost a century of rule by the British and Australians. In Papua New Guinea, English is the official language and is spoken by an educated minority, but there are over 700 languages spoken throughout. The majority of the people of this region are Papuans, and the rest are mostly Melanesians. East of New Guinea lies the Solomon Islands that also shows the diversity of the region as its people speak about 120 languages. Vanuatu neighbors the Solomon Islands and has fewer languages, but has 80 islands. The French colony of New Caledonia is heavily subsidized and has above average income. Almost half of the people of New Caledonia are Melanesian with a remaining third being of French descent. On the eastern margin of Melanesia lies Fiji. Half the Fijians are Melanesian, the other half is mostly comprised of South Asians from India that were brought by the British during colonial times to work on the sugar plantations. No two countries present the same form of multiculturalism. Each has its own challenges to confront. Some of these challenges tend to spill over into neighboring islands as well as more distant foreign lands.

Micronesia Micronesia is the group of islands located to the North of Melanesia from Guam and the Marianas on the west to Kiribati on the east. It includes the islands of Guam, Kiribati, Nauru, the Marshall and Northern Mariana Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia. The region's name derives from micro, which means small, referring to the small islands that dominate here. The area consists of more than 2000 islands, many no larger than 1 square mile in size. There are some volcanic islands (high islands) but they are outnumbered by the coral islands (low islands). Guam is the largest island at 210 square miles in size and no island are over 3300 feet above sea level. The population of Micronesia is about 650,000, not nearly as populous as Melanesia. The Micronesian communities have developed a large number of spoken languages and are fairly isolated from each other in distance, but not in ties to each other. There is a good relationship between high island farmers and low island fishermen.

The Micronesians, especially the low-islanders, are excellent seafarers. The trade for food and other basic needs encourages circulation among the islanders. Sometimes the threat of a typhoon makes the low-islanders seek safety on higher islands. Until 1986 the region was largely a U.S. Trust Territory. Today, all but Guam and the Marianas Islands are independent of any official foreign control. Guam holds the strongest ties with the United States as a U.S. territory. In effect, the United States provided billions of dollars in assistance to these countries in exchange for a commitment from the islands to avoid foreign policy actions that are contrary to U.S. interests. There are generally other costs of independence as well. For example, Palau granted the U.S. rights to existing military bases for 50 years following its independence. Most of the people of Micronesia exist on subsistence farming or fishing. Virtually all of the countries rely on infusions of foreign aid to survive. The natural economic complimentary between the high-island farming cultures and the low island fishing communities all too often is negated by a cultural and spatial distance. Life for the Micronesians is a daily challenge.

Polynesia Polynesia is east of Micronesia and Melanesia and lies in a triangle formed by Hawaii, Pitcairn and New Zealand. The name Polynesia is derived from the word poly, which means many, and it is the largest of the 3 subregions of the Pacific Islands. The water area of Polynesia is about 15,000,000 square miles, while the land area of Polynesia is only 114,000 square miles. Polynesia is made up of the following island groups: Hawaii, Tuvula, Wallis & Futuna, Tokleau Islands, Western Samoa, American Samoa, Niue, Cook Islands, Pitcairn, Tonga, and French Polynesia. The islands of Polynesia are also both volcanic high islands and coral low islands. The population of Polynesia is only 1.9 million people. Hawaii has the largest population of any Polynesian island group with 1.2 million people. Polynesians have lighter-colored skin and wavier hair than other peoples of the Pacific region, and are known for their beautiful physiques.

Anthropologists differentiate between these original Polynesians and a second group, the Neo-Hawaiians, who are a blend of Polynesian, European and Asian ancestries. Polynesian culture, though spread over a large geographic area, is remarkably similar from one island to the next and from one end to the other. Polynesians are well adapted to their maritime environment. Long before the Europeans arrived, the Polynesians were navigating their wide expanses of water using huge double canoes, following maps constructed from bamboo sticks and cowries shells, and navigating by the stars. The foreign influence over the region was large at one time. The islands of Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States in 1959. Tonga became an independent country in 1970 after 70 years of British association. The Ellice Islands (renamed Tuvalu) received independence from Britain in 1978, but exist in free-association with Britain to this day. French Polynesia and Wallis & Futuna continue under French control, and New Zealand still controls the Tokelau Islands. Pitcairn is a British territory.

The Polynesian islands are best known by Westerners who associate romance and tropical beauty with the region, especially with Hawaii and Tahiti. Those two island groups receive the greatest number of tourists. Hawaii is an archipelago of more than 130 islands. The seven largest islands of Hawaii are: Oahu, Niihau, Lanai, Kauai, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii. Oahu is the most developed of the islands and has 80% of the population, or about 1 million people. Waikiki beach on Oahu is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. The descendants of Elizabeth Sinclair privately own Niihau and they encourage the preservation of traditional Hawaiian culture. Kauai is called the garden island because of the lush green growth all over the island. Molokai is considered the most Hawaiian of all the islands and is known as the friendly island. The north side of Molokai was at one time home of a leprosy colony. Neighboring Lanai is privately owned and most all the cultivatable land is used to grow pineapples. Maui is known for the large number of tourists.

Hawaii is the biggest island and is also the tallest island in Polynesia. Most of the population in Hawaii is of Asian ancestry because their ancestors were brought to Hawaii to work on the sugar plantations. Most of the tourists that visit Hawaii come from Japan and the mainland United States. Overall, in the process of politico-geographical fragmentation, Polynesia has suffered some severe blows. The region has lost much of its ancient culture and consistency. Today, the region is a patchwork of the new and the old, and the two are not harmonious. Often the new is bleak and barren and the old intensifies pressure on the people to try to regain some remnant of who they used to be. References Clawson, David L. World Regional Geography: A Developmental Approach, 7th Ed. Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, NJ. (2001) DeBlij, H.J. and Muller, Peter O. Regions and Concepts: 2000. John Wiley and Sons. New York, NY. (2000) Haub, Carl and Cornelius, Diana. 2000 World Population Data Sheet. Population Reference Bureau. Washington, DC.

(2000) Review Questions 1. In terms of population, the smallest region in the Pacific World is: A. Melanesia; B. Micronesia; C. Polynesia; D. none of the above. 2. Of the following regions, which still has a colonial relationship with the United States: A. Melanesia; B. Micronesia; C. Polynesia; D. none of the above. 3. A common problem that plagues many of the islands in the Pacific World is: A. pollution; B. atomic fallout; C. declining fish populations; D. a lack of fresh water; E. none of the above. 4. The most populated islands in Polynesia are: A. Hawaii; B. Fiji; C. Samoa; D. Guam; E. Tahiti. 5. A distinction is made between so-called 'high island cultures' and 'low island cultures' in the Pacific Realm. 'High island cultures' refer to the: A. better-watered volcanic islands where agriculture is the mainstay; B. resource rich islands that depend on tourism; C.

drought-plagued coral islands where fishing is the chief mode of subsistence; D. islands that have greater western influence; E. none of the above. 6. The most populated part of Melanesia is: A. Hawaii; B. Fiji; C. Tonga; D. Papua New Guinea; E. Guam. 7. Which Hawaiian Island is the most populated? A. Lanai; B. Kauai; C. Maui; D. Oahu; E. Niihau. 8. Micronesia has a population of: A. 2 million; B. 500,000; C. 1.8 million; D. 400,000; E. None of the above. 9. The official language of Papua New Guinea is A. French: B. English; C. Japanese; D Melanesian 10. Polynesia is a name that means A. small islands; B. few islands; C. large islands; D. many islands 11.Which two islands receive the most tourists each year? A. Fiji And Hawaii; B. Tahiti and Fiji; C.

Hawaii and French Polynesia; D. Hawaii and Tahiti Submitted by Sara Cederstrand on 5/23/01.

Question: Samoa, Hawaii and the Tokelau Islands are part of which geographic area?
Answer: Polynesia