Tonga
Kingdom of Tonga
hereditary constitutional monarchyIndependence 4 June 1970 (emancipation from UK protectorate)
Tonga as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 84 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about | two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
15 fieldsLand useshare of 748 sq km
Location
Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Climate
- tropical;
- modified by trade winds;
- warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Terrain
most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base
- lowest point:
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
- highest point:
- on Kao Island 1,033 m
Environment
- current issues:
- 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
- natural hazards:
- cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
- international agreements:
- party to - Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1996 est.)
Male · female(1996 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- NA male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- NA male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- NA male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- NA male(s)/female
- all ages:
- NA male(s)/female
Government
Hereditary constitutional monarchy; King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) is a constitutional monarch; Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991) and Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991) were appointed for life by the king
20 fieldsName of country
- conventional long form:
- Kingdom of Tonga
- conventional short form:
- Tonga
- former:
- Friendly Islands
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) is a constitutional monarch
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991) and Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991) were appointed for life by the king
- cabinet:
- Cabinet was appointed by the king
Legislative Assembly (Fale Alea)
- elections last held 3-4 February 1993 (next to be held NA February 1996);
- results - percent of vote NA;
- seats - (30 total, 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine for elected people's representatives) 6 proreform, 3 traditionalist
International organization participation
ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US
Tonga does not have an embassy in the US; Ambassador Sione KITE, resides in London; consulate(s) general: San Francisco
US diplomatic representation
the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga
Economy
The economy's base is agriculture, which | contributes 40% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans | are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of | total exports.
20 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 6,000 kW
Economic overview
The economy's base is agriculture, which contributes 40% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The manufacturing sector accounts for only 11% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings, but the country also remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances to offset its trade deficit.
The economy continued to grow in 1993-95 largely because of a rise in squash exports, increased aid flows, and several large construction projects. The government is now turning its attention to further development of the private sector and the reduction of the budget deficit.
Exports
$20.3 million (f.o.b., FY93/94)
- commodities:
- squash, vanilla, fish, root crops, coconut oil
- partners:
- Japan 59%, US 14%, Australia 6%, NZ 6% (FY93/94)
Imports
$57.8 million (c.i.f., FY93/94)
- commodities:
- food products, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, fuels, chemicals
- partners:
- NZ 44%, Australia 22%, US 8%, Japan 7% (FY93/94)
Exchange rates
pa'anga (T$) per US$1 - 1.2753 (December 1995), 1.2709 (1995), 1.3202 (1994), 1.3841 (1993), 1.3471 (1992), 1.2961 (1991)
Transportation
5 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 6 in all
Networkskm
Merchant marine
- total:
- 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,990 GRT/14,884 DWT
- ships by type:
- cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
Tonga Defense Services, Maritime Division, Royal Tongan | Marines, Tongan Royal Guards, Police
9 fieldsBranches
Tonga Defense Services, Maritime Division, Royal Tongan Marines, Tongan Royal Guards, Police
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Tonga.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/tonga/1996.