World Facts Index
The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became
a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its
independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the
only monarchy in the Pacific.
Geography of Tonga
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Location:
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Oceania, archipelago in the
South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New
Zealand |
|
Coordinates:
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20 00 S, 175 00 W |
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Area:
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total: 748 sq km
water: 30 sq km
land: 718 sq km |
|
Area comparative:
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four times the size of
Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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419 km |
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Maritime claims:
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continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical; modified by trade
winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) |
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Terrain:
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most islands have limestone
base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone
overlying volcanic base |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m |
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Natural resources:
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fish, fertile soil |
|
Natural hazards:
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cyclones (October to
April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou |
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Environment current issues:
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deforestation results as
more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some
damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell
collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations |
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Geography - note:
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archipelago of 169 islands
(36 inhabited
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Population of Tonga
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Population:
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119,009 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 35.3% (male 20,679/female 19,843)
15-64 years: 60.5% (male 34,399/female 34,964)
65 years and over: 4.2% (male 2,059/female 2,745) |
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Median age:
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20.7 years |
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Growth rate:
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2.01% |
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Infant mortality:
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12.3 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 69.82 years
male: 67.32 years
female: 72.45 years |
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Fertility rate:
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3 children born/woman |
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Nationality:
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noun: Tongan(s)
adjective: Tongan |
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Ethnic groups:
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Polynesian, Europeans about 300 |
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Religions:
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Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over
30,000 adherents) |
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Languages:
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Tongan, English |
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Literacy:
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definition: can read and write Tongan and/or
English
total population: 98.9%
male: 98.8%
female: 99%
|
Government
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Kingdom of
Tonga
former: Friendly Islands |
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Government type:
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hereditary constitutional monarchy |
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Capital:
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Nuku'alofa |
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Administrative divisions:
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3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u |
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Independence:
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4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate) |
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 4 June (1970) |
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Constitution:
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4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967 |
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Legal system:
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based on English law |
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Suffrage:
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21 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: King George TUPOU V
head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Feleti SEVELE ; Deputy Prime
Minister Dr. Viliami TANGI
cabinet: Cabinet consists of 14 members, 10 appointed by the monarch for
life; four appointed from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly,
including two each from the nobles' and peoples' representatives serving
three-year terms
note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch, the
cabinet, and two governors
elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime
minister appointed by the monarch. |
|
Legislative branch:
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unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (32 seats -
14 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, 9 for nobles selected by the
country's 33 nobles, and 9 elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms) |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court
of Appeal (Chief Justice and high court justices from overseas chosen and approved by
Privy Council) |
Economy
Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy. It has a narrow
export base in agricultural goods. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the
main crops, and agricultural exports, including fish, make up two-thirds of
total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly
from New Zealand. The country remains dependent on external aid and
remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit.
Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following
remittances. The government is emphasizing the development of the private
sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing
increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic
infrastructure and well-developed social services. High unemployment among the
young, a continuing upturn in inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and
rising civil service expenditures are major issues facing the government.
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GDP:
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$526 million (2007 est.) |
|
GDP growth rate:
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-3.5% |
|
GDP per capita:
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$5,100 |
|
GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 23%
industry: 27%
services: 50% |
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Inflation rate:
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10.3% |
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Labor force:
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33,908 |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 65% |
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Unemployment:
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13.3% |
|
Electricity production by source:
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fossil fuel: 100% |
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Industries:
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tourism, fishing |
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Agriculture:
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squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla
beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish |
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Exports:
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squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops |
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Export partners:
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Japan 33.3%, US 26.2%, Taiwan 14.3%, NZ 11% |
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Imports:
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foodstuffs, machinery and transport
equipment, fuels, chemicals |
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Import partners:
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NZ 36.9%, Fiji 25.9%, Australia 8.6%, US 7.9% |
|
Debt - external:
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$63.4 million |
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Currency:
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pa'anga (TOP) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |