Background: 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.

Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S 175 00 W

Map reference: Oceania

Area
Comparative: four times the size of Washington DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 419 km

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 resources: fish fertile soil

Irrigated land: NA km²

Natural hazards: cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou

Geography
Note: archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited)

Population: 102,321 (July 2000 est.)
Growth rate: 1.91% (2000 est.)
Below poverty line: NA%

Ethnic groups: Polynesian Europeans about 300

Languages: Tongan English

Religions: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)

Population growth rate: 1.91% (2000 est.)

Birth rate: 24.92 births/1000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate: 5.86 deaths/1000 population (2000 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1000 population (2000 est.)

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

Infant mortality rate: 14.45 deaths/1000 live births (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.2 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Government type: hereditary constitutional monarchy

Capital: Nuku'alofa

Administrative divisions: three island groups; Ha'apai Tongatapu Vava'u

Independence: 4 June 1970 (emancipation from UK protectorate)

National holiday: Emancipation Day 4 June (1970)

Constitution: 4 November 1875 revised 1 January 1967

Legal system: based on English law

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

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)

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) 724-5,828 FAX [44] (171) 723-9,074
From the us: the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the 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

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.

Real gdp growth rate: -0.3% (1998 est.)

Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,200 (1998 est.)

Agriculture products: squash coconuts copra bananas vanilla beans cocoa coffee ginger black pepper; fish

Industries: tourism fishing

Industrial production growth rate: 1.9% (FY95/96)

Labor force: 36,665 (1994)
By occupation: agriculture 65% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate: 11.8% (FY93/94)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Inflation rate consumer prices: 3.2% (1998 est.)

Exports: $8 million (f.o.b. 1998)
Commodities: squash fish vanilla beans
Partners: Japan 53% US 18% NZ 6% Australia 6% (1997 est.)

Imports: $69 million (f.o.b. 1998)
Commodities: foodstuffs machinery and transport equipment fuels chemicals
Partners: NZ 30% Australia 19% US 11% UK 11% Japan 3% (1997 est.)

Electricity
Production: 35 million kWh (1998)
Consumption: 33 million kWh (1998)
Exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Imports: 0 kWh (1998)

Telephones
Main lines in use: 7,000 (1995)
Mobile cellular: 114 (1995)

Internet
Service providers isps: 1 (1999)

Military expenditures
Dollar figure: $N/A
Percent of gdp: NA%

Airports: 6 (1999 est.)

Railways: 0 km

Disputes international: none