Coral island in the S Pacific, W of the Cook Islands; overseas territory of New Zealand
Area 260 sq km/100 sq mi
Towns and cities port Alofi
Products coconuts, passion fruit, honey
Population (1989) 2,300
History inhabited by warriors who stopped English explorer Capt Cook from landing 1774; British protectorate 1900; annexed by New Zealand 1901; attained self-government in free association with New Zealand (with which there is common citizenship) 1974.