| Global Cost of Living Rank |
| CIA Background Information |
Tonga - unique among Pacific nations - never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900; it withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.
| U.S. State Department Description |
Country Description:
Tonga is a South Pacific island nation consisting of 171 islands, of which 45 are inhabited. Tonga is a constitutional monarchy and a member of the British Commonwealth. Its agrarian economy is developing and its tourist industry, although limited, is growing. Tourist facilities are concentrated in and around the main island of Tongatapu where the capital, Nuku’alofa, is located. The Tongan Tourist Bureau has a wide range of information of interest to travelers. The web site is http://www.tongaholiday.com/
. Read the Department of State Background Notes
on Tonga for additional ... Read this Article
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Tongan(s).
Population (2006 census): 101,990.
Age structure: 38% below 15; 8% over 60.
Annual growth rate (2006): 0.4%.
Ethnic groups: Tongan 98%, other Polynesian, European.
Religions: Christian.
Languages: Tongan, English.
Education: Literacy (2004)--98.9%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2006.)--19/1,000. Life expectancy at birth--68.56 yrs.: female--73 years; male--67.3years.
Work force (2003) 36,500: Agriculture--65%.
Unemployment (2003): 5.2%.
Government
Type: Constitutional ... Read this Article
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Location: Tonga is Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand See Map
Capital: name: Nuku'alofa
geographic coordinates: 21 08 S, 175 12 W
time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Currency (Code): pa'anga (TOP) ...More
Area: total: 748 sq km , land: 718 sq km , water: 30 sq km ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)
Area Comparison: four times the size of Washington, DC
Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m , highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m (1 meter = 3.28 feet)
Population: 119,009 (July 2008 est.)
Unemployment: 13% (FY03/04 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Polynesian, Europeans
Religion: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)
Languages: Tongan, English
More Statistics
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| History
The word Tonga means "south" in numerous Polynesian languages. Some scholars believe the inhabitants originally came from the islands now known as Samoa. Archaeological evidence indicates that the Tonga islands have been settled since at least 500 B.C., and local traditions have carefully preserved the names of ... Read this Article
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| Geographic Info for Tonga : |
Geography
Area: 747 sq. km. (288 sq. mi.).
Cities: Capital--Nuku'alofa (pop. 34,000).
Terrain: 171 islands, mainly raised coral but some volcanic; 48 inhabited.
Climate: Tropical, modified by trade winds. Warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December).
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Tongan(s).
Population (2006 census): 101,990.
Age structure: 38% below 15; 8% over 60.
Annual growth rate (2006): 0.4%.
Ethnic ... Read this Article
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