1986 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1986 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Agriculture
coconuts, copra; basic subsistence crops — pulaka, breadfruit, pawpaw, bananas; pigs, poultry
Airfields
none; lagoon landings by amphibious aircraft from Samoa
Branches
the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand is empowered to appoint an Administrator to the region; the powers of the Administrator are delegated to the Official Secretary at the Office of Tokelau Affairs, Apia, Western Somoa
Budget
(1983/4) expenditures, $1,358,105; revenue, $208,419; New Zealand subsidy, $1,149,686
Capital
no capital — each atoll has its own administrative center
Coastline
419 km (est.) People
Communists
probably none Economy
Elections
elections for a commissioner and a mayor from each atoll held at three-year intervals
Electric power
200 kW capacity (1985); .3 million kWh produced (1985), 187 kWh per capita
Ethnic divisions
Polynesian; about 300 Europeans
Exports
$23,648(1982/3); copra, handicrafts
Fiscal year
1 April-31 March Communications
Fishing
ocean and lagoon fish and shellfish for local consumption
Government leaders
H. H. FRANCIS, Administrator (since February 1985); A. H. MACEY, Official Secretary, Office of Tokelau Affairs (since February 1985)
Imports
foodstuffs, building materials, fuel
Infant mortality rate
6.4/1,000 (1983)
Labor force
75% engaged in agriculture; 600 engaged in mining
Language
Tongan, English
Legal system
British and local statutes
Life expectancy
58
Limits of territorial waters (claimed)
12 nm (200 nm exclusive economic zone)
Literacy
90-95%; compulsory education for children ages 614
Major industries
copra production, wood work, plaited craft goods, stamps, coins
Major trade partner
New Zealand
Monetary conversion rate
New Zealand currency and the Tokelau souvenir coin are legal tender— NZ$1. 88=US$1 (5 February 1986); Western Samoan currency is also used
National holiday
6 February (Waitangi Day)
Nationality
noun — Tongan(s); adjective — Tongan
Natural resources
negligible
Political subdivisions
each village has a Council of Elders (Taupulega) made up of heads of family groups together with the commissioner (faipule) and the mayor (pulenuku); the commissioner administers the law and presides over the court
Population
104,000 (July 1986), average annual growth rate 1.5%
Ports
no harbor facilities; off-shore anchor200km Nuuta'au : Talahl Niualopulapu
Railroads
none
Religion
Christian; Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents
Suffrage
universal adult
Telecommunications
telephone service links islands to each other and to Western Samoa (1985) Defense Forces Defense is the responsibility of New Zealand South Pacific Ocean Vava'u • Group Hl'tpti Group * _•';/ NUKU ALOFA* .j Tongatapu Group Spr regional mip \ Minerva Reef not shown Land 997 km2 (169 islands, only 36 inhabited); smaller than New York City; 77% arable, 13% forest, 3% pasture, 3% inland water, 4% other Water
Type
New Zealand Associated Territory; Tokelauans are British subjects and New Zealand citizens; administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948 as amended in