Fun Easy English - Travel abroad Tonga.

OFFICIAL NAME: Kingdom of Tonga

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, which has a wide range of information of interest to travelers, can be contacted via the Internet at http://www.vacations.tvb.gov.to.

GEOGRAPHY

Tonga is an archipelago directly south of Western Samoa. Its 171 islands, 48 of them inhabited, are divided into three main groups--Vava'u, Ha'apai, and Tongatapu--and cover an 800-kilometer (500 mi.)-long north-south line. The largest island, Tongatapu, on which the capital city of Nuku'alofa is located, covers 257 square kilometers (99 sq. mi.). Geologically the Tongan islands are of two types: most have a limestone base formed from uplifted coral formations; others consist of limestone overlaying a volcanic base.

The climate is basically subtropical with a distinct warm period (December-April), during which the temperatures rise above 32oC (90oF), and a cooler period (May-November), with temperatures rarely rising above 27oC (80oF). The temperature increases from 23oC to 27oC (74oF to 80oF), and the annual rainfall is from 170 to 297 centimeters (67-117 in.) as one moves from Tongatapu in the south to the more northerly islands closer to the Equator. The mean daily humidity is 80%.

PEOPLE

Tongans, a Polynesian group with a very small mixture of Melanesian, represent more than 98% of the inhabitants. The rest are European, mixed European, and other Pacific Islanders. There also are about 500 Chinese.

More than two-thirds of the population of the Kingdom of Tonga live on its main island, Tongatapu. An increasing number of Tongans have moved into Nuku'alofa, Tonga's capital and only urban and commercial center, where increasingly Western and indigenous Polynesian cultural and living patterns have blended. For instance, the extended family lifestyle is declining, with young couples choosing to live on their own. Nonetheless, village life and kinship ties continue to be important throughout the country. The Christian faith that has dominated Tongan life for almost two centuries is still influential. All commerce and entertainment activities cease on Sunday from midnight, and the constitution declares the Sabbath to be sacred, forever. However, within the past five years, an unsuccessful attempt was made in parliament to amend the Sunday law.

Primary education between ages 6 and 14 is compulsory and free in state schools. The state owns and operates 99% of the primary schools and 44% of secondary schools. Higher education includes teacher training, nursing and medical training, a small private university, a women's business college, and a number of private agricultural schools. Most higher education is pursued overseas.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

A passport and an onward/return ticket are required. Visas are not required for stays of up to 30 days. Tonga collects a departure tax. For further information about entry requirements, travelers, particularly those planning to enter by sea, may wish to contact the Consulate General of Tonga at 360 Post Street, Suite 604, San Francisco, California 94108; telephone 415‑781‑0365.

QUICK FACTS

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): 101,169.
Age structure: 37.1% below 14; 4.2% over 65.
Annual growth rate (2002 est.): 1.94%.
Ethnic groups: Tongan 98%, other Polynesian, European.
Religions: Christian.
Languages: Tongan, English.
Education: Literacy (2004)--98.9%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2004 est.)--20.4/1,000. Life expectancy at birth--68.56 yrs.: female--72.14 years; male--67.05 years.
Work force (2003) 36,500: Agriculture--65%.
Unemployment (2003): 5.2%.

Government
Type: Constitutional hereditary monarchy.
Constitution: 1875 (revised 1970).
Independence: June 4, 1970.
Branches: Executive--monarch, prime minister, and cabinet. Legislative--unicameral Legislative Assembly. Judicial--Court of Appeals (Privy Council), Supreme Court, Land Court, Magistrates' Court.
Administrative subdivisions: Three main island groups--Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u.
Political parties: People's Democratic Party, Friendly Islands Human Rights and Democratic Movement.
Suffrage: Universal at age 21.
Central government budget (2006/2007 est.): $85 million.

Economy (all figures in U.S. dollars)
GDP (2003/2004): $148.9 million.
Per capita GDP (2004 est.): $1,287.
GDP real growth rate (2004/2005 est.): 2.3%.
Natural resources: Fish.
Agriculture (30% of GDP): Products--squash, vanilla beans, root crops, fish, other marine products.
Industry: 10% of GNP.
Services: 60% of GDP.
Trade (2005): Exports--$24.65 million; squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops. Major export markets--Japan, New Zealand, U.S., Australia, Fiji. Imports--$136.80 million; food, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals. Major import sources--New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, U.S., Indonesia.
Fiscal year: July 1 to June 30.

USEFUL LINKS

U.S. Government