Niulakita
| Niulakita | |
|---|---|
| Reef Island | |
 Satellite picture |
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 Niulakita
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| Coordinates: 10°45′S 179°30′E / 10.750°S 179.500°ECoordinates: 10°45′S 179°30′E / 10.750°S 179.500°E | |
| Country | Tuvalu |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.40 km2 (0.15 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 4.6 m (15.1 ft) |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 27 |
| • Density | 68/km2 (170/sq mi) |
Niulakita is the southernmost island of Tuvalu, and also the name of the only village on this island. Niulakita has a population of 27 (2012 census). The residents of Niulakita have moved to the island from Niutao. Niulakita is represented in the Parliament of Tuvalu by the members of the constituency of Niutao.
Niulakita is a reef island. There are four ponds or lakes and the village has a maneapa (a community hall) in Tuvalu, which provides meeting and recreational functions as well. The isle has an oval outline, with the longer axis running east-west (about 1 km long). This island features highest point of Tuvalu (4.6 metres (15 ft) above sea level). A fringing reef surrounds the whole island, which makes local fishing and transport into and out of the island difficult.
The discovery of Niulakita is claimed by travellers from Nui, led by Kaunatu who was taking people home to Vaitupu, however their canoe drifted off course to the south and they arrived at Niulakita. There was only saltbrush (Atriplex) and pukavai trees (Pisonia grandis) on the islands. Kaeula, one of the passengers, died and was buried with the last of their coconuts planted at the head of his grave. The island was named by Kaunatu after a place of that name on Nui.
The first sighting recorded by Europeans of Niukalita was on 29 August 1595 by the Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendaña during his second expedition encountered Niulakita. The island was charted as La Solitaria (Lonesome in Spanish). An attempt was made to find a port with two small vessels in its southern part but the bottom was uneven and rocky and they abandoned their attempts.
In 1821 Captain George Barrett, of the Nantucket whaler Independence II, visited Niulakita, which he named Rocky (Group). This name was never much used, but Independence Island, after Barrett's ship, was one of the several names which came into general use for Niulakita during the 19th century. Niulakita was also known as Sophia.
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Wikipedia