Tonga
Kingdom of TongaPule'anga Tonga
constitutional monarchyIndependence 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)
Tonga as the 2011 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 137 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Tonga - unique among Pacific nations - never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900; it withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga 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 747 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
Natural hazards
cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
- volcanism:
- the Tonga Islands experience volcanic activity;
- Fonualei (elev. 180 m) has shown frequent activity in recent years, while Niuafo'ou (elev. 260 m), which last erupted in 1985, has forced evacuations;
- other historically active volcanoes include Late and Tofua
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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
- signed, but not ratified:
- none of the selected agreements
People and Society
29 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2011 est.)
Per 1,000 population
Male · female
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.04 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.99 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.7 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Government
Constitutional monarchy; King George TUPOU V (since 11 September 2006); Prime Minister Lord Siale'ataonga TU'IVAKANO (since 22 December 2010)
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Kingdom of Tonga
- conventional short form:
- Tonga
- local long form:
- Pule'anga Tonga
- local short form:
- Tonga
- former:
- Friendly Islands
Capital
- name:
- Nuku'alofa
- geographic coordinates:
- 21 08 S, 175 12 W
- time difference:
- UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- King George TUPOU V (since 11 September 2006)
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Lord Siale'ataonga TU'IVAKANO (since 22 December 2010)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet is nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
note: there is also a Privy Council that advises the monarch
- elections:
- the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of parliament and appointed by the monarch
- election results:
- Lord Siale'ataonga TU'IVAKANO elected by parliament on 21 December 2010 with 14 of 26 votes
Legislative branch
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (26 seats - 9 for nobles elected from among the country's 29 nobles, 17 members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
- elections:
- last held on 25 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014)
- election results:
- Peoples Representatives:
- percent of vote - independents 67.3%, Democratic Party 28.5%; seats - Democratic Party 12, independents 5
Judicial branch
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)
Political parties and leaders
- Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands [Samuela 'Akilisi POHIVA];
- People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tesina FUKO];
- Sustainable Nation-Building Party [Sione FONUA];
- Tonga Democratic Labor Party [NA];
- Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM [Uliti UATA]
Political pressure groups and leaders
Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chairman]; Public Servant's Association [Finau TUTONE]
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Sonatane Tu'akinamolahi TAUMOEPEAU-TUPOU
- chancery:
- 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022
- telephone:
- [1] (917) 369-1025
- FAX:
- [1] (917) 369-1024
- consulate(s) general:
- San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US
the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga
Flag description
- red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner;
- the cross reflects the deep-rooted Christianity in Tonga;
- red represents the blood of Christ and his sacrifice;
- white signifies purity
National anthem
- name:
- "Ko e fasi `o e tu"i `o e `Otu Tonga" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands)
- lyrics/music:
- Uelingatoni Ngu TUPOUMALOHI/Karl Gustavus SCHMITT
note: in use since 1875; the anthem is more commonly known as "Fasi Fakafonua" (National Song)
Economy
Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy.
48 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2010 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
Electricity
Economy - overview
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. 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. Tonga had 39,000 visitors in 2006. 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.
Commercial bank prime lending rate
11.53% (31 December 2010 est.) · 12.13% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Stock of narrow money
$54.37 million (31 December 2010 est.) · $44.54 million (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Stock of broad money
$171.8 million (31 December 2010 est.) · $153.5 million (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Stock of domestic credit
$165.8 million (31 December 2010 est.) · $150.2 million (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Agriculture - products
squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish
Debt - external
$104.5 million (31 December 2009 est.) · $80.7 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 184
Exchange rates
pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar -; NA (2007); 2.0277 (2006); 1.96 (2005); 1.9716 (2004); 2.142 (2003)
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- competition between Tonga Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Shoreline Communications Tonga (SCT) is accelerating expansion of telecommunications;
- SCT granted approval to introduce high-speed digital service for telephone, Internet, and television while TCC has exclusive rights to operate the mobile-phone network;
- international telecom services are provided by government-owned Tonga Telecommunications International (TTI)
- domestic:
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 70 telephones per 100 persons; fully automatic switched network
- international:
- country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media
- 2 state-owned television stations and 2 privately-owned stations;
- satellite and cable TV services are available;
- 2 state-owned and 3 privately-owned radio stations;
- Radio Australia broadcasts obtainable via a satellite feed (2009)
Transportation
6 fieldsMerchant marine, 10 ships by typeone square, one ship
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Military
Tonga Defense Services (TDS): Land Force (Royal Guard), Maritime Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing) (2010)
6 fieldsMilitary branches
Tonga Defense Services (TDS): Land Force (Royal Guard), Maritime Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing) (2010)
Military service age and obligation
16 years of age for voluntary enlistment (with parental consent); no conscription (2010)
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Tonga.” The World Factbook 2011. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/tonga/2011.