Tonga Facts

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Where is Tonga?

Tonga is an archipelago located in Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies directly south of Western Samoa and about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand.

What is the capital of Tonga?

The capital of the Kngdom of Tongo is Nukualofa. Located on the north coast of the island of Tongatapu, Nukualofa is the economic hub of the country. It is also the largest city in Tonga.

How many islands comprise Tonga?

Tonga is made up of 176 islands that are scattered over 270,000 square miles of the South Pacific Ocean. The country is known as the Friendly Islands because of the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to Captain James Cook on his first visit to the island in 1773.

How big is Tonga?

The total land covered by Tonga is 289 square miles. As of 2010, the country has an estimated population of 104,000.

What are the ethnic groups in Tonga?

The major ethnic group in the Kingdom of Tonga is the Tongan (Polynesian) group; there are also small numbers of Europeans and Chinese in the country.

Who are the political leaders of Tonga?

Tonga is a constitutional monarchy.
King – George Tupou V
Prime Minister – Sialeataongo Tuivakano

What currency is used in Tonga?

The paanga denoted by the ISO 4217 code TOP is the official currency of the Tonga. It is controlled by the National Reserve Bank of Tonga. It is subdivided into 100 seniti.

What is the official language of Tonga?

The official language of the Kingdom of Tonga is the Tongan along with English. Tongan is a is closely related to Wallisian (Uvean), Niuean, Hawaiian, and Samoa.

What is the religion of Tonga?

Christianity is the most widely practiced religion of the kingdom of Tonga. The major denominations include Methodism, Catholicism and Mormon populations.

What is the economy of Tonga like?

The large non-monetary sector of Tonga is the basis of the economy of Tonga. As of 2009 estimate, the total gross domestic product of the country was $313 million. Tourism and fishing are the main industries. Manufacturing sector is important consisting mainly of handicrafts and a other small scale industries. The country’s first commercial trading bank, the Bank of Tagoda, opened in September 1974. Subsistence agriculture is a significant part of the economy. The major agricultural products include coconuts, yams, cassava, vanilla beans, bananas, coffee beans. Pigs, cattle and poultry constitute the major types of livestock.

When is the national day of Tonga celebrated?

The national day of Tonga is celebrated on November 4 every year. It is also known as the Constitution Day. The day is celebrated to commemorate the signing of the constitution of Tonga and the declaration of independence of the country.