Geography

The islands of Tonga lie about 400 miles (640 kilometers) east of Fiji and 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) northeast of Sydney, Australia. They are divided into three main groups: Tongatapu in the south, Ha'apai in the center, and Vava'u in the north. The total land area is about 290 square miles (750 square kilometers).

The islands are spread throughout the ocean in a double chain. Most of the islands of the western chain were pushed high above sea level by repeated volcanic activity. Four of these islands are still active volcanoes. Some of the western islands have surfaces of volcanic ash and other fine particles. Over time, the surfaces of these islands are worn away by the wind and sea, which causes the islands to shrink.

The eastern chain consists mainly of low-lying coral islands. Coral reefs surround many of them, including Tongatapu. The coral protects these islands from the wind and water.

The largest of the Tongan islands is Tongatapu, which has about one third of the country's total land area. Some two thirds of the country's people live on Tongatapu.

Tonga is farther south of the equator than many other South Pacific island nations. As a result, Tonga is not quite as hot. The climate is generally warm, and there is plenty of rain. Tonga is subject to tropical storms called typhoons, especially in the northern islands.

Plants and animals

Some of the volcanic islands of the western chain have fertile soil and thick rain forests. The island of 'Eua, in the Tongatapu group, has the greatest variety of trees. The country's main trees include the paper mulberry, hibiscus, coconut, ngatata, toi, and tavahi. Mangroves are found in swampy areas. There are many flowering plants.

The birds found on Tonga include doves, kingfishers, cuckoos, and shrikes. The island of 'Eua is home to the red-breasted musk parrot and the blue-crowned lory—often considered to be the most beautiful birds in the Pacific. Large fruit bats live on the island of Tongatapu. These bats are often called flying foxes because of their appearance. In addition, the waters around the islands of Tonga are rich in sea life, including coral and more than 100 species of fish.

People and culture

Tonga is part of a region of the southern Pacific called Polynesia. Almost all the people of Tonga are at least part Polynesian. The official languages are Tongan and English. Christianity is the principal religion, with about 40 percent of the population belonging to the Free Wesleyan Church. There are smaller numbers belonging to other Protestant groups, as well as to Roman Catholic and Mormon churches.

About 45 percent of Tongans live in cities. Nuku'alofa, on Tongatapu, is the capital, largest city, and chief port. The other ports and commercial centers include Neiafu, in the Vava'u group, and Pangai, in the Ha'apai group.

Economy

All the land on Tonga belongs to the king. However, all male citizens over the age of 16 are given some land for raising crops. The growth of the population has resulted in land shortages and high rates of unemployment. Many people leave Tonga to live in New Zealand, Australia, or the United States, where they make money to send back to their families on the islands.

The economy of Tonga is based largely on agriculture. The main crops grown for food within Tonga include yams, taro, cassava, and corn. The country exports large amounts of fruits and vegetables, especially squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans. Farmers also raise pigs, goats, and cattle. Tonga has a large fishing industry. In addition, tourism is an important source of income.

History

The Tongan islands were first inhabited at least 3,000 years ago by people from the Pacific islands region. The monarchy dates to the 10th century AD. Tongan warriors began to conquer land throughout the Pacific, including parts of Fiji and Samoa. By the 13th century, the rule of the Tongan kings extended as far as the Hawaiian Islands.

The first European to visit Tonga was the Dutch explorer Jakob Le Maire, in 1616. The British naval captain James Cook visited the islands several times beginning in 1773. He called them the Friendly Islands because of the kind reception he received from the people of Tonga. In the 19th century, Methodist missionaries arrived. Christianity soon began to take hold in the country.

In the first half of the 19th century, Tonga went through a period of internal wars. Different lines of Tongan kings fought to dominate the region. The victorious chief was proclaimed king in 1845. He took the name George Tupou I. The king established a unified and independent nation. In 1900 Tonga became a British protectorate, or dependent state. However, Tonga has never been a colony. In 1970 Tonga became an independent nation within the Commonwealth, an association of countries formerly associated with Great Britain. Tonga joined the United Nations in 1999.

In the early 21st century, the country continued to be ruled by a descendent of King George Tupou I. A pro-democracy movement grew stronger in the 1990s and challenged the king to give the people more power. The government was also troubled by a major financial scandal in 2001. Population (2001 estimate), 101,000.