Tonga
Kingdom of Tonga
hereditary constitutional monarchyIndependence 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)
Tonga as the 2003 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 112 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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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
19 fieldsPer 1,000 population(2003 est.)
Male · female
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 38.2% (male 21,085; female 20,265)
- 15-64 years:
- 57.6% (male 30,785; female 31,532)
- 65 years and over:
- 4.1% (male 1,973; female 2,501) (2003 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.04 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.98 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.79 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.99 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Government
Hereditary constitutional monarchy; King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965); Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA (since NA February 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister Tevita TOPOU (since NA January 2001)
18 fieldsLegislative Assembly or Fale Alea, 9 seats, elected 7 March 2002one 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)
note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch, the Cabinet, and two governors
- elections:
- none;
- the monarch is hereditary;
- prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch
- cabinet:
- Cabinet, appointed by the monarch, consists of 12 members
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA (since NA February 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister Tevita TOPOU (since NA January 2001)
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 7 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2005)
- election results:
- percent of vote - pro-democratic 70%; seats - pro-democratic 7, traditionalist 2
Judicial branch
- Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch);
- Court of Appeal (consists of the Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court)
Political pressure groups and leaders
Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM [Akilisi POHIVA, president]
International organization participation
ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Sonatane T. T. TUPOU
- chancery:
- 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022
- telephone:
- [1] (917) 369-1136
- consulate(s) general:
- San Francisco
- FAX:
- [1] (917) 369-1024
Diplomatic representation from the US
the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga
Economy
Tonga has a small, open economy with a narrow export base in agricultural goods.
36 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2001 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
Electricity
Economy - overview
Tonga has a small, open economy with a narrow export base in agricultural goods. 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.
Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. 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.
Agriculture - products
squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish
Communications
8 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- NA
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (1996)
Transportation
8 fieldsMerchant marine, 78 ships by typeone square, one ship · ships (1,000 GRT or over) 250,020 GRT/350,055 DWT
Airports by runway lengthpaved only
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Networkskm
Military
3 fieldsMilitary branches
- Tonga Defense Services (made up of three operational command components and two support elements, including the Royal Marines, Royal Guards, Maritime Force, a support/logistics group, and a training group), Police;
- note - a new air wing that will be subordinate to the Ministry of Defense is being developed
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Tonga.” The World Factbook 2003. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/tonga/2003.