Tokelau

NAIndependence none (territory of New Zealand)

Tokelau as the 1997 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 85 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

Capitalnone

Position9 00 S, 172 00 W

Area10 sq km

LocationOceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about

Populationas each edition published it

1,463 people July 1997 est. · 1,700 in 1990

Population growth% a year

-1.35% 1997 est. · -1.35% in 1993

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$1,000 1993 est. · $800 in 1993

Geography

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about | one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

17 fields

Land useshare of 10 sq km

forests and woodland 0%other 100% (1993 est.)arable land 0% in all · permanent crops 0% in all · permanent pastures 0% in all

Area

10sq km

land: 10 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmabout 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Coastline

101km

land boundaries: 0 kmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Highest point

unnamed locationlowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Climate

tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)

Environment - current issues

very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand

Environment - international agreements

party to :: NA
signed, but not ratified:: NA

People

14 fields

Population

1,463

(July 1997 est.)growth rate: -1.35% (1997 est.)

Religions

Congregational Christian Church 70%Roman Catholic 28%other 2%note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant

Age structure

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

Birth rate

NA births/1,000 population

Death rate

NA deaths/1,000 population

Net migration rate

NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Sex ratio

at birth:: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years:: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years:: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over:: NA male(s)/female
total population:: NA male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate

NA deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population:: NA years
male:: NA years
female:: NA years

Total fertility rate

NA children born/woman

Nationality

noun:: Tokelauan(s)
adjective:: Tokelauan

Ethnic groups

Polynesian

Languages

Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English

Government

NA; Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952); Official Secretary Brian LAWRENCE (since NA)

19 fields

Country name

conventional long form:: none
conventional short form :: Tokelau

Data code

Dependency status

territory of New Zealand

Government type

National capital

none; each atoll has its own administrative center

Administrative divisions

none (territory of New Zealand)

Independence

none (territory of New Zealand)

National holiday

Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand)

Constitution

administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970

Legal system

British and local statutes

Suffrage

21 years of age

Executive branch

chief of state:: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952); the queen and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March 1993)
head of government:: Official Secretary Brian LAWRENCE (since NA)
cabinet:: the Council of Faipule, consisting of the elected leaders from each atoll, functions as a cabinet
elections:: none;
the queen is a hereditary monarch;
administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand

Legislative branch

unicameral General Fono (45 seats - 15 from each of the three atolls; members chosen by each atoll's Council of Elders or Taupulega who meet together twice a year)

Judicial branch

High Court in Niue; Supreme Court in New Zealand

Political parties and leaders

none

International organization participation

SPC, WHO (associate)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of New Zealand)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of New Zealand)

Flag description

the flag of New Zealand is used

Economy

Tokelau's small size, isolation, and lack of | resources greatly restrain economic development and confine | agriculture to the subsistence level.

22 fields

Debt - external

Budget

Revenues

$430,830Expenditures

$2.8 million (1987 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $37,300

Economy - overview

Tokelau's small size, isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people must rely on aid from New Zealand to maintain public services, annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand.