Key facts about Tonga

About Tonga:

• Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, also called Friendly Islands, is a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
• It is an archipelago of more than 170 islands divided into three main island groups: Tongatapu in the south, Ha‘apai in the centre, and Vava‘u in the north.
• Out of these groups of islands, only 36 islands are inhabited.
• Tonga’s western islands are volcanic (four with active volcanoes) and sit well above sea level. Those to the east are coral and are more low-lying.
• Tonga has no direct neighbours. Nearby countries include Fiji to the west, the Cook Islands to the east and Samoa north. 
• Capital: Nuku'alofa 
• Population: It has a population of 100,000 inhabitants (in 2016). Almost two-thirds of Tonga's population live on the main island of Tongatapu, where also the capital city Nuku'alofa is located.
• Spoken Languages: Tongan and English (both official).
• Economy: Tonga has no strategic or mineral resources and relies on agriculture, fishing and the money sent home by Tongans living abroad.
• Political System: It is a constitutional monarchy.
• History:
  • It is the only kingdom in the Pacific since Taufa'ahau (King George) in 1875 declared Tonga a constitutional monarch He also gave Tonga its first constitution.
  • In 1970 the former British protectorate acquired its independence and became a sovereign nation, but remains an active member of the Commonwealth.