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Exploring Tokelau: The World's Smallest Country

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Exploring Tokelau: The World's Smallest Country

Read the profile and data, then answer the questions. Use evidence from the materials. Note: Tokelau is often described as one of the world's smallest countries, but it is a territory of New Zealand, not an independent sovereign state.

Tokelau: three atolls in the Pacific

Tokelau is a remote group of three coral atolls in the South Pacific: Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo. An atoll is a ring-shaped reef, often enclosing a lagoon. Tokelau lies north of Samoa and far north of New Zealand. Its total land area is about 10 square kilometres, spread across many small islets. The islands are low-lying, so high tides, storms and rising sea levels can threaten homes, freshwater supplies and infrastructure. About 1,500 people live in Tokelau, though the population changes and many Tokelauans also live in New Zealand. Tokelau is a territory of New Zealand. It has local government and strong community traditions, while New Zealand has responsibilities including defence and international relations. Tokelau’s isolation makes travel and shipping difficult: regular access by sea is important, and journeys take time. Limited land and freshwater also shape daily life. At the same time, the ocean provides food and connects communities through shared language, kinship and cultural practices.

Place

Land area (km²)

Population (approx.)

Population density (people/km², approx.)

Tokelau

1,500

150

New Zealand

268,000

5,200,000

1.Use the profile to describe where Tokelau is in relation to Samoa and New Zealand. Include a compass direction for each.

2.Which statement best describes an atoll?

A ring-shaped coral reef that often encloses a lagoon
A high volcanic mountain with a glacier
A river delta formed where a river meets the sea
A flat area of land beside a large lake

3.A travel blog says, “Tokelau is an independent sovereign country.” Use the profile to correct this claim in one or two sentences.

4.Use the comparison grid. Which place has the higher population density, and about how many times higher is it? Show or explain your calculation.

5.True or false: Tokelau’s population density is higher than New Zealand’s, even though Tokelau has a much smaller population.

TrueFalse

6.Complete the sentence: Because Tokelau is remote and spread across three atolls, reliable links are important for people and supplies.

7.Match each geographic feature with a likely effect on life in Tokelau.

Low-lying atolls
Remote location
Limited land and freshwater

Travel and shipping can take time
Resources need careful management
Greater exposure to high tides, storms and rising sea levels

8.Which action would most directly help protect freshwater on a low-lying atoll?

Collect and store rainwater, and protect it from saltwater contamination
Build more roads across the reef
Use more groundwater without checking whether it is becoming salty
Move all homes beside the lagoon

9.Write a short briefing for someone planning a visit to Tokelau. Explain two ways its physical geography affects daily life, and include one way its remoteness can affect connections with other places.