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Tokelau - Geography

Tokelau consists of three small coral atolls that lie between latitudes 8 and 10 degrees South and 171 and 173 degrees West. Tokelau has a total land area of approximately 12 sq km. The reef extends only a short distance from the shore then drops sharply into deep waters. Each of three atolls has its own administrative center. Atafu, the most northern atoll has a surface area of 3.5km2; Nukunonu, the central atoll is 4.7km2 and Fakaofo, the southern atoll is 4km2.

From Atafu in the north to Fakaofo in the south, Tokelau extends for less than 200km and the atolls are 3-5 meters above sea level. The coral atolls provide a sustainable subsistence lifestyle but within a fragile environment. Its total Exclusive Economic Zone is about 300,000km2.

Each atoll consist of a number of reef-bound islets (motu) encircling a lagoon. The islets vary in size from 90 m to 6 km in length and from a few metres to 200 metres in width. The largest atoll is Nukunonu at 4.7 sq km. Fakaofo and Atafu are 4 sq km and 3.5 sq km respectively. From Atafu in the north to Fakaofo in the south, the group extends for just under 200 km. The atolls are three to five metres above sea level.

The atolls are composed of calcium carbonate reef, sands, and rock The soils are generally characterized as being highly alkaline, highly porous, and nutrient-poor and as having low humus content and a high surface salinity. Soils are considered to be one of the country's major restricting factors, especially in relation to land-based agricultural development. Because of the nature of soils, the agricultural economy is limited to a basic subsistence level.

The shortage of natural resources has been the major factor encouraging migration. Practically all land is held by customary title. The Tokelau Islands Amendment Act 1967 provides that Tokelauans may dispose of custom land among themselves but may not alienate land to non-indigenes. Land holdings pass from generation to generation within families, usually being held by the head of a closely-related family group although some land is held in common.

Poor soil quality and rapid drainage result in low fertility except in areas where efforts have been made to improve soil composition. Coconut and pandanus are the most common plant species although other species common to central Polynesia are found in smaller numbers. Staple food crops include bananas, papaya, taro and breadfruit. Migratory seabirds are common visitors to these atolls. Otherwise rats and lizards are common along with domesticated pigs and poultry. Mosquitoes infest the undergrowth.

Cultivated food crops are generally limited to breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), giant swamp taro 'pulaka' (Cyrtosperma chamissonis); taro palagi (Xanthosoma sagittifolium); giant taro (Aiocasia macrorrhizos); bananas (Mus sp. [2 varieties]); papaya (Carica papaya); pandanus 'fala' (Pandanus odoratissimus); pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.); and coconut (Cocos nucifera).