Nukufetau
| Nukufetau | |
|---|---|
| Atoll | |
 Nukufetau atoll from space |
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 Nukufetau
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| Coordinates: 08°00′S 178°30′E / 8.000°S 178.500°ECoordinates: 08°00′S 178°30′E / 8.000°S 178.500°E | |
| Country | Tuvalu |
| Population (2012) | |
| • Total | 536 |
| ISO 3166 code | TV-NKF |
Nukufetau is an atoll that is part of the nation of Tuvalu. The atoll was claimed by the US under the Guano Islands Act some time in the 19th century and was ceded in a treaty of friendship concluded in 1979 and coming into force in 1983. It has a population of 536 who live on Savave islet (2012 census). In 1951 the school that was located on Motumua islet was transferred to Savave and became the government primary school for Nukufetau. It was named the Tutasi Memorial School in honour of its predecessor.
Nukufetau is an atoll with passages through the reef that allow large ships to enter and anchor in the lagoon. Nukufetau consists of at least 33 isles:
The biggest island is Motulalo. In the late 19th century, after the coming of the missionaries, the people of Nukufetau lived on Fale islet before shifting to Savave which is on the lagoon side of the Fale settlement.
On Savave islet 331 people live in Aulotu and 191 live in Maneapa (2012 census).
The traditional history of Nukufetau is that a party of Tongans were the first people to settle. When they landed they found only one fetau (or fetaʻu in Tongan) tree growing on the atoll, so they called the place Nukufetau - the island of the fetau. They planted coconut trees and settled on Fale on the western side of the atoll.
Arent Schuyler de Peyster, of New York, captain of the armed brigantine or privateer Rebecca, sailing under British colours, passed through the southern Tuvalu waters in May 1819 sighting Nukufetau.
In 1820 the Russian explorer Mikhail Lazarev visited Nukufetau as commander of the Mirny.
The United States Exploring Expedition under Charles Wilkes visited Nukufetau in 1841.
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Wikipedia