Tonga
Kingdom of Tonga
hereditary constitutional monarchyIndependence 4 June 1970 (emancipation from UK protectorate)
Tonga as the 2000 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 102 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.
No fields match. Try a shorter word.
Introduction
1 fieldBackground
The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was 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
Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
18 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
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
Environment - international agreements
- party to:
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
- signed, but not ratified:
- none of the selected agreements
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(2000 est.)
Male · female
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 41.52% (male 21,633; female 20,850)
- 15-64 years:
- 54.43% (male 27,419; female 28,274)
- 65 years and over:
- 4.05% (male 1,877; female 2,268) (2000 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.04 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.97 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.83 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.99 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Government
Hereditary constitutional monarchy; King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965); Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991) and Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991)
18 fieldsLegislative Assembly or Fale Alea, 9 seats, elected NA March 1999one dot, one seat
Country name
- 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)
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991) and Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet appointed by the monarch
note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch and the Cabinet
- elections:
- none;
- the monarch is hereditary;
- prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch
Legislative branch
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms)
- elections:
- last held NA March 1999 (next to be held NA 2002)
- election results:
- percent of vote - pro-democratic 40%; seats - pro-democratic 5, traditionalist 4
Judicial branch
Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the monarch; Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court sits as the Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders
Human Rights and Democracy Movement [Huliki WATAB, chairman, Viliami FUKOFUKA, president, 'Akilisi POHIVA, vice president]
International organization participation
ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US
- Tonga does not have an embassy in the US;
- Ambassador Akosita FINEANGANOFO, resides in London;
- address: Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga, c/o Tonga High Commission, 36 Molyneux Street, London W1H 6AB, telephone [44] (171) 724-5828, FAX [44] (171) 723-9074
- consulate(s) general:
- San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US
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 30% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports.
31 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(1997)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
Electricity
Economy - overview
The economy's base is agriculture, which contributes 30% 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 industrial sector accounts for only 10% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings.
The country remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment.
Agriculture - products
squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish
Exchange rates
pa'anga (T$) per US$1 - 1.6250 (November 1999), 1.4921 (1998), 1.2635 (1997), 1.2323 (1996), 1.2709 (1995)
Communications
8 fieldsTransportation
7 fieldsMerchant marine, 7 ships by typeone square, one ship · (1999 est.)
Airports by runway lengthpaved only
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Networkskm
Military
Tonga Defense Services (includes, Royal Tongan Marines, Tongan Royal Guards, Maritime Force, Police); note - a new Air Wing which will be subordinate to the Defense Ministry is being developed
3 fieldsMilitary branches
- Tonga Defense Services (includes, Royal Tongan Marines, Tongan Royal Guards, Maritime Force, Police);
- note - a new Air Wing which will be subordinate to the Defense Ministry is being developed
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Tonga.” The World Factbook 2000. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/tonga/2000.