Tonga

Tonga, officially Kingdom of Tonga, (Tongan: Pule'anga Fakatu'i 'o Tonga, in English: Kingdom of Tonga) is a country of Oceania integrated within Polynesia and constituted as a parliamentary monarchy. Through its maritime territory, it borders to the north with the overseas collectivity French from Wallis and Futuna and with Samoa; to the northeast with American Samoa; to the east with the territories of Niue and Cook Islands, belonging to New Zealand; and to the west with Fiji. To the south, the closest islands are the Kermadec Islands, also under New Zealand rule. Its capital and most populous city is Nukuʻalofa.

With an area of 747 km², Tonga ranks 186th in size among the countries in the world. It is formed by the union of more than 177 islands, also known as the Friends Islands, of which approximately 36 are inhabited. The kingdom's population is slightly over 100,000, which translates into a population density of 139 inhab./km². Most of its population is followers of some Christian church and speaks the two official languages of the country: English and Tongan. The Lapita arrived in present-day Tonga between 1500 and 1000 BC. C. They developed their own culture and even created an Empire that extended to other Pacific islands. The first Europeans to arrive in the archipelago were the Dutch Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire in 1616. In 1845 Jorge Tupou I unified the territory into a kingdom and promulgated the country's constitution.

In 1900 Tonga became a British protectorate, formally gaining independence in 1970. Thanks to reforms in the 21st century the country became a parliamentary monarchy. Tonga is currently a member of the United Nations (UN), the Commonwealth of Nations, the World Trade Organization and the Pacific Islands Forum. Tonga is a developing country, whose economy is similar to that of its neighboring countries. It relies heavily on tourism and the exploitation of its agricultural products. Infrastructure, public services, education and health care system are developed but still face various challenges. Tongan culture still retains many characteristics of its first settlers and is recognized worldwide for its music, dances, gastronomy, sports and festivities.

Etymology

The proper pronunciation of the name Tonga in Tongan is ['toŋa]. In many Polynesian languages, the word Tonga means "south", so the archipelago probably received this name due to its location south of the Samoan islands., Tongan people consider the country's name to mean "garden".

History

Archaeological evidence shows that Tonga's first inhabitants sailed from the Santa Cruz Islands—now part of the Solomon Islands, though its ecosystem with unique species is similar to that of Vanuatu—as part of the first migrations of an ancient people known as lapita. The direct descendants of this group are the Melanesians. Lapitas were distributed throughout Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa around 1500 BC. C., so that they arrived at the current Tongan territory between the years 1500 a. C. and 1000 B.C. C.

The Lapitas were an advanced people who lived by fishing and horticulture, sailing, and making pottery. They settled and lived for a thousand years in the archipelagos of Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji, before the European explorers discovered the Marquesas Islands, Tahiti and the other islands of the South Pacific. For this reason, some authors consider Tonga, Samoa and Fiji as the "cradle of Polynesian culture and civilization". In the 12th century, the The Tongans formed a network of interactions, made up of adventurers, warriors, and navigators, which became known as the Tu'i Tonga, or in Spanish, the Tui Tonga Empire. This was a powerful state in the region, conquering many of the neighboring islands of Niue and Tikopia.

Monument in tribute to the Tongans who participated in the First World War.

Civil wars in the 15th and 17th centuries weakened the Tuʻi Tonga Empire. The first Europeans arrived on the islands shortly before the second conflict unfolded. The first to arrive were the Spanish who landed on the island with a scouting party, which established friendly relations with the natives. In 1643 Abel Tasman, the first European to reach Tasmania and New Zealand, passed through the islands of Tongatapu. and Ha'apai. A century later, in 1773, Tonga was visited by James Cook, the first European to reach Australia and Hawaii, who gave them the name "Friends' Islands". Methodists, one of the first groups of missionaries to reach the islands, led by Walter Buller.

In 1845 Tonga was unified as the Kingdom of Polynesia by King Tāufaʻāhau, also known as George Tupou I, the first king of Tonga. In 1875, with the help of English missionary Shirley Baker, King George declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy and appointed Baker as his prime minister. Tonga's government adopted the style of European kingship, created a civil code, and limited the power of tribal chiefs. Even when exposed to colonizing forces, Tonga always had a native king of indigenous descent, a fact unique among the countries of the continent and one of the reasons why its inhabitants still trust their system of government.

On March 18, 1900, Tonga became a protectorate of the United Kingdom through a friendship treaty. The 1918 influenza pandemic swept the islands and claimed the lives of 1,800 Tongans, approximately 8% of the population at the time. Tonga participated in World War I by sending troops alongside the Tongan Expeditionary Forces. New Zealand. During World War II, the Tongan military was involved in fighting in the Solomon Islands, and Tongatapu became a strategic point where New Zealand and US forces were stationed.

Under Queen Salote Tupou III, the country regained its full independence in 1970, when the friendship treaty came to an end and the nation ceased to be a territory under British administration. That same year, Tonga became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and joined the United Nations in 1999. Tonga is the only sovereign monarchy among the island nations of the Pacific Ocean, and was also the only nation in the region that prevented formal European colonization.

In 2006 there were a series of riots in the capital, which, among other things, were caused by the demand of the people to have a more democratic government. As a consequence, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV left the throne in the hands of his son, Jorge Tupou V, who carried out a series of reforms that reduced the power of the king, gave greater importance to the prime minister and led to the creation of a parliament, the Legislative Assembly, and with it the establishment of a parliamentary monarchy. Tupou V died in 2012, his brother Tupou VI succeeded to the throne.

Limits

It is bordered to the north by the French Overseas Collective of Wallis and Futuna and by Samoa; to the northeast with American Samoa; to the east with the territories of Niue and Cook Islands, belonging to New Zealand; and to the west with Fiji. To the south, the closest islands are the Kermadec Islands, also under New Zealand rule. Its capital and most populous city is Nukuʻalofa.

Government and politics

Headquarters of the Legislative Assembly in Nukualofa.

Tonga is the only constitutional hereditary monarchy in the Pacific. The current Constitution was ratified by King George Tupou I on 4 November 1875. Its implementation was an important stage in the country's development and culminated the political activities of Tonga. Tupou I aimed at modernizing Tongan society and ensuring the internal stability and unity of the country. Thanks to this constitution, Tonga became the only formally independent territory in Oceania during the 19th century.

The constitution is made up of three sections and 115 articles and is among the strictest and most inflexible in the world, as any change requires a complicated process and full compliance with various conditions. The Legislative Assembly has the right to make changes to the basic laws of the land, but these changes have to go through three readings in the chamber, and then be sent to the king. If the Privy Council and the Government are unanimous in supporting a constitutional amendment, it still has to be approved by the king, and it will only enter into force after its signature. However, the Assembly cannot modify the articles of the "law of freedom" —those that refer to the Declaration of Rights and Duties—, the that they are subject to kings—the inheritance of throne and title—and to local councils.

Since 2008 a new political reform began to take shape, when the Constitutional Commission and the Electoral Commission were created specifically for this purpose, each made up of five people, whose main objective is to prepare proposals to modify the sections of the constitution which talk about the executive branch, the electoral authorities and the principles of mutual relations between the two, as well as participating in the electoral processes in Tonga.

Monarchy and executive power

The Royal Palace of Tonga preserves the sacred identity of the king.

In Tonga, the head of state is the King, a position that has been held by Tupou VI since 18 March 2012. The principle of succession to the throne is laid down in Article 32 of the Constitution. The heir is the eldest son of the king and queen. In the event of the death or other impediment of the firstborn, the successor becomes the next eldest child. If in this case he cannot take the throne either, it is occupied by the next son, and so on, always through the male royal lineage. If this line of succession has been broken, the throne is given to the eldest daughter and hers heirs to her, reverting to the male line at the end of the female reign. However, if neither of the royal couple's daughters remains in the country, the throne passes to her offspring and her legal heirs or to the prime minister. If there are no legitimate heirs, the king can name his successor with the approval of the House of Peers. If this has not happened, the prime minister calls a meeting of the Legislative Assembly to elect one of his chiefs as king, thus establishing a new dynasty.

Any member of the Royal Family who holds the right of succession needs the King's consent to marry. The marriage of the heir without such royal consent may imply the loss of his right of succession to the throne. In addition to the above, the throne cannot be occupied by someone who has committed a crime or who suffers from a mental deficiency.

According to the Constitution, the King's identity is sacred and he is the ruler of all chiefs and the people of Tonga, ruling the country together with his ministers. All bills passed by the Legislative Assembly must be reviewed and sanctioned by the King before they came into force. The King of Tonga is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, appoints all officers governing the preparation and control of the armed forces, and has the right to declare war, with the approval of the Legislative Assembly. The King also has the exclusive right to convene and dissolve the Legislative Assembly, as well as the right to sign treaties with other states as long as they comply with national law. The King cannot, without However, change the functions of the Legislative Assembly.

The government is made up of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Lands and the Minister of Police, among others, who are appointed by the king. Ministers can be removed from office by the Assembly Legislative if their activities go against the law. Cabinet ministers are members of the Privy Council and the Legislative Assembly. Each minister is obliged to prepare an annual report to publicize the activities carried out by his ministry. In turn, the king transmits the report to the Legislative Assembly. If the Assembly raises any questions related to the actions of any of the ministries, then the responsible minister should answer these questions.

Legislative branch

The Legislative Assembly represents the legislative power and is made up of the members of the Privy Council and the Cabinet of Ministers, in addition to the Popular Representatives and the Noble Representatives. The Popular Representatives, as well as the Noble Representatives, are elected every three years and occupy the House of Representatives of the Nobles. In total, nine representatives of each constituency are elected, by their peers; the Popular Representatives are elected by the voters. The President of the Assembly is appointed by the king.

According to the Constitution of Tonga, the Legislative Assembly is responsible for making laws. For a bill to come into force, it must first be passed by an absolute majority of votes in three readings. After its approval in the Assembly, the king must decide whether or not he approves the law. If he signs it, the new law is officially published, so the date of publication coincides with the date of promulgation.The king has the right to reject bills. A bill vetoed by the king can only be discussed again by the Legislative Assembly until the next period after the veto.

Royal Standard of Tonga.

Judicial branch

Tonga's judicial system comprises the Privy Council, Court of Appeal, High Court, Magistrates' Courts, and Tonga Land Court. The Privy Council of Tonga is an advisory body to the King, who also performs certain judicial functions. If there is no consensus in the Supreme Court on a certain action, it may be submitted to the Privy Council, which must judge the case. The Privy Council's decision is final, without being able to re-examine a criminal proceeding. In this case, all Council decisions must be signed by the responsible minister. On the other hand, the Privy Council can appeal the decision of the Land Judge in cases about estates and hereditary titles.

The Court of Appeal of Tonga consists of the Chief Justice of the Realm and other judges appointed by the King, with the consent of the Privy Council. The Court has the exclusive right and power to review cases and decide on the appeals filed against the decisions of the Superior Courts or Land, except for issues related to property and hereditary titles.

The Supreme Court of Tonga consists of the Chief Justice and other judges appointed by the King, with the consent of the Privy Council. The Supreme Court has the exclusive right to adjudicate common law proceedings and punish violations of the constitution and laws of States, as well as questions relating to treaties with other nations, ministers and consuls, and cases involving diplomatic agents, consuls and the law of the sea. During 2007, 2,316 crimes were reported in Tonga, 640 against the human person and 1,400 against property.

Consulate of the People's Republic of China in Nuku'alofa.

Foreign Relations

Tonga maintains diplomatic relations with several countries. The oldest international relations with countries outside of Oceania are those with France and Germany, both established with the signing of a Treaty of Friendship in 1855 and 1876, respectively. However, only Australia, China, Japan and New Zealand they maintain embassies or a High Commission in the country, in Nukuʻalofa, while Brazil plans to open an embassy. Tonga has an embassy in Beijing, China. It also has a Permanent Representative to the United Nations, an honorary consul in London (United Kingdom) and San Francisco (United States), and government representatives in Australia and New Zealand. When it ceased to be a British protectorate in 1970, it became part of the Commonwealth of Nations, but did not become a member of the UN until 1999. In 2007, it obtained its membership in the World Trade Organization.

Armed Forces

Save honor from the Tongan Navy.

Tonga has regular armed forces, known as the Tonga Defense Forces. Its main functions are to protect the kingdom and civil authorities and to help maintain peace and order, among other functions and duties. Tonga has a rich military history: it was active in World War I by sending expeditionary forces alongside New Zealand troops. After participating in World War II the Defense Forces were disbanded, but were reactivated shortly thereafter in 1952. Currently, the Tongan Navy has three patrol boats and two light aircraft in its service. The Tonga Defense Forces number about 450 and are supported by Australia, New Zealand and the United States. In recent years army units participated in Regional Relief Mission operations in the Solomon Islands and as part of the international coalition forces in Iraq; the Tongan mission withdrew from the country in December 2008.

Human rights

In terms of human rights, regarding membership of the seven bodies of the International Bill of Human Rights, which include the Human Rights Committee (HRC), Tonga has signed or ratified:

Status of major international human rights instruments

Tonga	International treaties
	CESCR		CCPR			CERD	CED	CEDAW		CAT		CRC			MWC	CRPD
	CESCR	CESCR-OP	CCPR	CCPR-OP1	CCPR-OP2-DP			CEDAW	CEDAW-OP	CAT	CAT-OP	CRC	CRC-OP-AC	CRC-OP-SC		CRPD	CRPD-OP
Pertenence
Signed and ratified, signed, but not ratified, neither signed nor ratified, without information, it has agreed to sign and ratify the body concerned, but also recognizes the competence to receive and process individual communications from the competent bodies.

Territorial organization

Division in Tonga districts.

The local government system is not fixed by law. In the country, there are village committees that regulate the management of the villages. All power is in the hands of the central government, which has developed various rules and regulations on the management of society as a whole and in cities and towns in particular. Localities in the country are divided into districts and cities, headed by district or city heads, who are elected by popular vote every three years.

The heads of districts have the following functions: control over health, making a quarterly report on the sanitary conditions in the whole district, agriculture, finances and other matters contemplated by the legislation. The heads of district are subordinate to the head of the city. The functions of the heads of the city are: control of agriculture, health and order in the city, convene the fono (popular councils) and supervision of the head of district.

Election of people's representatives to Tonga's Legislative Assembly is the obligation of all literate citizens in Tonga who are at least 21 years of age, regularly pay their taxes and are not mentally handicapped. Anyone who violates electoral laws is punishable by prison terms of up to two years. This person can only vote again until after they have obtained the king's pardon.

The country is divided into five constituencies: Tongatapu, Ha'apai, Vava'u, 'Eua and Niuafo'ou. Three representatives of their peers and three representatives of the people. In Ha'apai and Vava'u, they vote for two representatives of their peers and two representatives of the people. In 'Eua and Niuafo'ou they elect a representative of their peers and a representative of the people. In turn, each district is divided into islands, islets, cities and villages.

Geography

Map of Tonga.

The archipelago is located in Western Polynesia, slightly north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Its capital, Nukuʻalofa, is located approximately 1,770 km northeast of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, and 690 km from Suva, Fiji's capital and largest city.

Its total area is about 747 km², of which 30 are made up of water. The country is made up of 171 islands, of which only 45 are permanently inhabited, which means that slightly less than 80% (670 km²) of the territory is inhabited. Geographically, it comprises three main groups of islands: Tongatapu, to the south, where more than half of the population is concentrated; Vava'u, to the north; and Ha'apai, in the center.

Islands of volcanic origin are mountainous, while those of coral origin are flat. The climate is temperate and rainy, with very hot summers. The fertile soil is used for plantations of bananas, hearts of palm, and coconut. The highest point in the country, located at 1,033 meters above sea level. no. m., is located on the island of Kao.

Geology

The Tongan archipelago is located on the border of the Pacific and Australian plates, to the west of the deep trenches that lie in its territorial waters, and represents an accumulation of territory of volcanic, coral and reef origin. The oldest rock specimen in the country was found on the island of 'Eua, and dates back to the Eocene period. Therefore, this indicates that since then the island has always been above sea level. sea. On the contrary, before this it remained submerged for a long time. The exact time of Tonga's existence is unknown. It is likely that this archipelago is more than five million years old, dating back to the Pliocene epoch. It can also be assumed that some islands arose at the end of the Miocene, or in the Neogene itself.

Saturated marine streams with volcanic ash and several chemical elements.

Island of the west coast of Tonga.

Islets of the archipelago, belonging to Ha'apai. Note that they are surrounded by coral reefs.

The islands of volcanic origin are 'Ata, Ha'apai and Kao. These islands form a volcanic arc that extends from the south —from the island of 'Ata— to the southeast, north and northwest. In more recent times, various active geological processes occurred within this arc that led to the formation of some new islands, however, only one of them has not sunk.

The island of Vava'u has intense volcanic activity and its soil is composed only of calcareous stones, in addition to being surrounded by reefs. The island of Ha'apai also presents intense volcanic activity and low relief, and like Vava'u it has calcareous stones. The islands of Tongatapu and 'Eua are of calcareous origin. The first is characterized by a flat relief, since its highest hills do not exceed 30 m s. no. m. The coral base of the island is covered by a three-meter-deep layer of volcanic ash.

Over the last hundred years, there have been more than thirty-five volcanic eruptions in the country. Of these, the most recent eruption in Tonga is that of the Hunga Tonga submarine volcano, in the year 2022, having serious repercussions in the country. One of the largest volcanoes in Tonga, with 515 m s. no. m. and 5 km wide, it is located on the island of Tofua. The last recorded eruption of this volcano occurred on March 18, 2009. The highest volcano in the country, whose summit is 1030 m s. no. m., is located on the island of Kao.

Tonga's islands contain large mineral deposits, especially Tongatapu and Vava'u. In 2008, large deposits of zinc, copper, silver and gold were found in their territorial waters.

Climate

Tonga's climate is tropical, influenced by the trade winds from Southeast Asia. The rainfall pattern is largely related to the South Pacific convergence zone. There are two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The first, also known as the cyclone season, runs from November to April, and the second runs from May to October. The rainiest months of the year are January, February and March, each registering up to 250 mm of rain.

The average temperature varies between 26 to 23 °C. During the rainy months —November to April— the temperature generally ranges from 25 to 26 °C, while in the coldest and driest months —May to October— it ranges from 21 to 24 °C. The temperature difference on the islands in the north it is generally less pronounced than in the southern islands. The maximum temperature recorded in the country was 35 °C, in Vava'u, on February 11, 1979. For its part, the lowest temperature was 8.7 °C, recorded on September 8, 1994 in Fotuha'a. The prevailing winds are from the east in a southerly direction, which blow from May.

Average Nuku’alofa climate parameters, Tonga
Month	Ene.	Feb.	Mar.	Open up.	May.	Jun.	Jul.	Ago.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Annual
Temp. max. abs. (°C)	32	32	31	30	30	28	28	28	28	29	30	31	32
Average temperature (°C)	28	29	28	27	26	25	25	24	25	25	27	27	26.3
Average temperature (°C)	25	25	25	24	23	21	21	21	21	22	23	23	22.8
Temp. medium (°C)	22	22	22	21	20	18	17	18	17	19	20	20	19.7
Temp. min. abs. (°C)	16	17	15	15	13	11	10	11	11	12	13	16	10
Rains (mm)	130	190	210	120	130	100	100	130	110	90	100	120	1530
Days of rain (≥ 1 mm)	11	13	14	12	12	10	10	12	10	10	10	10	134
Relative humidity (%)	77	78	79	76	78	77	75	75	74	74	73	75	75.9
Source: Weatherbase

Floors

The soil in much of the islands is characterized by its fertility, except in the areas that have the newer volcanoes. These were formed mainly from the fall of andesitic volcanic ash that rested on a coral and calcareous platform. These soils have certain physical properties: they are friable, well structured, with good drainage and moderate water retention capacity. Soil types range from acid to alkaline, with high calcium and magnesium content, high cation exchange capacity, and base saturation.

The soils of the island of Tongatapu are very fertile, appropriate for agriculture and livestock, in some coastal areas they are sensitive to salinity. The soils of the island of 'Eua are more productive, except for some areas in the south of the island, which have a coral rock surface. In Ha'apai, there are groups of islands predominantly of coral origin. A serious problem is soil erosion, which significantly reduces its fertility.

Lake on the island of Vava'u.

Eua National Park.

Hydrography

The archipelago has a limited number of permanent sources of fresh water. Although the water is retained in the ground due to its porosity, the inhabitants often use rainwater collected in tanks with a concrete roof or in small wells, which allows them to have access to some drinking water. Most of the lagoons, lakes and streams are located on the volcanic islands. Vaipūua is the largest lake in Tonga and is located on the island of Vava'u. However, the most important sources of fresh water are in Niuafo'ou, Nomuka and Niuatoputapu.

Flora and fauna

In general, the islands of Tonga are covered with lowland rainforest. Because several sections of the tropical forest were granted for agricultural use in the past, a part of this territory is covered by secondary vegetation dominated by grasslands and sorghum and millet meadows. Coastal areas and volcanic crater areas are dominated by by herbaceous plants. In the archipelago there are two national parks—one in 'Eua and one in Vava'u—and six nature reserves.

There are 770 species of vascular plants recorded in Tonga, including 70 species of ferns (three of which are endemic), three types of gymnosperms (of which one, Podocarpus pallidus, is endemic), and 698 angiosperm species, nine endemic. Species diversity varies from island to island; for example, on the island of Tongatapu there are about 340 species of plants, while on Vava'u there are 107 species.

The native fauna of the country is extremely poor and consists mainly of introduced species. In the archipelago there are twelve species of reptiles (one of them endemic) and two species of bats, the only mammals native to the islands. In the coastal region you can find sea turtles, mollusks and various fish. There are still large numbers of birds, 73 recorded species, of which two are endemic: Pachycephala jacquinoti, which lives in Vava'u, and Megapodius pritchardii, which inhabits from Niuafoou. As a result of human occupation of other Tongan islands, outside of Tongatapu and Vava'u, at least 23 species of birds became extinct.

Economy

1980 currency of a pa'angaTonga's monetary unit.

The characteristics that determine the economic situation in Tonga are not different from those of other countries in Oceania: the small size of the economic zone, limited natural resources, the remoteness of the country from the great world markets and the scarcity of spices These are some of the problems it faces in the economic field. The main factors that can affect the economic stability of the archipelago are natural disasters (droughts and cyclones, mostly) and fluctuations in world markets. This is due to the fact that Tonga's main exports are seafood and native products of the island (vanilla, fish, coconut, etc.) that are very sensitive to natural processes. The country's geographical distance from the main markets not only generates high transportation costs, but also hinders the international mobility of factors of production.

According to CIA data, purchasing power parity in 2013 was about $801 million, and GDP per capita was $7,700. In the period between 1973 and 1995, annual economic growth, largely determined by government spending and overseas remittances, totaled about 1.8%. Annual real GDP growth from 1994 to 2001 was 2.2% on average, and ranged from 0.1 to 6.2%, indicating economic dependence on sectors such as agriculture and tourism. In 2007, GDP growth was negative: -3.5%, a reflection of the weakness of the Tongan economy.

According to 2006 census data, 57% of the population over the age of 15 is economically active. However, only 37% receive a regular salary. 45% of men and 29% of women over the age of 15 have a job. 17% of men work in agriculture and fishing compared to 19% of women of working age. In urban areas, the unemployment rate is 5.4%, falling to 4.8% in rural areas. Tonga has a reasonable infrastructure sector and well-developed social services. The government has stimulated private investment and has increased spending on education and public health. On July 27, 2007, it became the 151st member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The country depends on imports of food products, engineering products and vehicles, fuel and chemicals. Often the value of imports exceeds the value of exports. In 2012, exports totaled US$8.4 million while imports totaled US$121.9 million. In 2012 its main import partners were Fiji (38%), New Zealand (23.5%), the United States United States (10.1%), and China (9.9%). For their part, its main export partners were South Korea (17.8%), the United States (16.4%), Fiji (10.9%), Japan (9.2%) and Samoa (9.1%). %).

Agriculture

Tongans and their agricultural products.

One of the most important sectors of Tonga's economy is agriculture. However, in recent years there has been a decrease in the participation of this sector in GDP. For example, in the period from 1994 to 1995, the contribution of agriculture to GDP was 34%, while in the period from 2005 to 2006, that number dropped to 25%. The decrease is due to the diversification of the local economy, which gave greater importance to the services sector. The main objective of this process is to broaden Tonga's economic base, in order to strengthen the economy in the event of future crises.

The main agricultural products are coconut —this includes the export of coconut seeds, taking into account that the endosperm of the seeds of this plant produces copra oil— banana, vanilla, pumpkin, cocoa, coffee, ginger and black pepper.

Fishing

In terms of fishing, the country has a large exclusive economic zone, covering an area of approximately 700,000 km². The state also issues fishing licenses to foreign vessels to allow them to fish in its economic zone. The main interest of these fishermen is tuna. Climatic conditions directly affect fishing yields, especially El Niño and La Niña phenomena.

At the end of the 1960s, lobster catching focused on the commercial aspect began, and reached annual catches of around 36 tons. However, in recent years there has been a reduction in this value. On the other hand, the catch of several types of marine molluscs increased: some of them are used for domestic consumption and to make souvenirs for tourists. The government also encouraged oyster and pearl farming and, in most cases, the experience is successful. The beginning of shellfish farming in the country took place in 1960; In 1993, a process to create commercial pearl farming farms began on the Vava'u islands.

Tourism

Aerial view of Neiafu.

In the years following Tonga's independence, tourism was relatively weak. The first major step towards the development of tourism in the archipelago was taken in 1966, with the construction of the country's largest hotel, the International Dateline Hotel. Today, tourism plays an important role in Tonga's economy, and it is one of their main sources of foreign exchange income. In 2011, the country was visited by 94,960 visitors, an increase of more than 18,000 tourists compared to 2006, when it was visited by 76,286 people. The nation received tourists from New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Japan, Fiji, Canada and Germany. In 2011, the main reasons for travel to Tonga were vacations and visiting friends and relatives, and the main types of recreational activities for foreigners were sport fishing, scuba diving, cultural tourism, swimming, surfing and camping. Citizens of several countries do not need a visa to enter the country.

Infrastructure

The Talamahu market in Nuku'alofa.

Vava'u Airport.

Energy and services

According to the 2006 census, only 15% of households had a water supply. 70% had a sewage network and adequate sanitary facilities and 3% had another source of water supply. Regarding the energy issue, 89% of households had access to electricity, this figure varying between 80% and 95%, depending on the region. However, 44% of families, including those with access to electricity, use kerosene or solar energy as the main source of lighting. The main source of energy for cooking is gas, the use of which is more frequent on the island of Tongatapu. Firewood is also one of the main sources of energy for cooking.

85% of households are served by a garbage collection service; however, only 11% have a selective waste collection system. Approximately 5% of the population disposes of household waste in inappropriate places. When it comes to housing, 72% of Tongan families own their own residence, compared to 4% who live in rented houses and 23% who lives in residences of friends or relatives.

Together with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Tonga has drawn up a strategic plan to encourage the installation of renewable energy, both on its main islands and its most remote islands. The government strategy focuses on incentivizing domestic solar power to convert single-family homes into small power plants. In addition, this helps, through the participation of local operators, investment institutions and technicians, to provide a new focus of employment in local communities as well as the necessary strategies to ensure effective operation, management and maintenance once these systems have been installed.

Transportation

An obstacle to the development of the country's road network is the lack of land resources, as well as the current land use regime. Furthermore, most of the roads are built with funds received from foreign governments. In 2000 there were 680 km of roads, of which only 184 km were paved. The country has no railways. The only Tongan airline was Royal Tongan Airlines. Founded in 1985 and liquidated in 2004, it carried out national and international flights. Between 2004 and 2006 there was another company, Peau Vava'u, which operated only domestic flights. Currently, the Royal Tonga company operates domestic flights. Founded in 2013, it has 6 destinations. Most of the scheduled flights to the country are from Pacific Air, Air New Zealand and Pacific Blue. The country has six airports, but only one of them—Fua'amotu International Airport—has a paved runway. Most of the islands have public transport service. The country's largest port is located in the capital, Nuku'alofa.

Media

Television station building Tongan Broadcasting Commission (TBC).

There are two weekly publications in Tonga: a privately run magazine Matangi Tonga, and the government-owned newspaper Tonga Chronicle, published weekly on Fridays in the two official languages. There is also a private newspaper, founded in April 1989 and published in Auckland, New Zealand, twice a week, the Times of Tonga, which includes a news column from the islands of Tonga.

There are four radio stations in the country: government-owned Kool 90FM, private Radio 2000, private Radio Nuku'alofa, and 93FM, a private religious station. Three companies providing television services were established: Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC), a government organization that has free-to-air television channels, Tonfon, also free-to-air, and Friendly Island Broadcasting Network, a private company that provides services solely for the island. from Vava'u.

The islands have other telecommunications services available, including landline, mobile and Internet. According to data from 2011, in the country there are a little more than 30,000 telephone lines, 55,000 mobile phones and 8,400 Internet users.

Demographics

Population developments in Tonga from 1961 to 2003.

Since 1921, the Tonga Department of Statistics has regularly conducted the National Demographic Census. However, there are other statistical data from earlier years, such as 1891. Since 1956, the census has been conducted every five years. According to the last census, carried out in 2016, the population fell to 100,651 inhabitants. In 2013, according to the CIA's The World Factbook, the figure rose to 106,322. Population growth is relatively low compared to that of other Oceanian countries: 1,669% in 2008. The 2011 census also showed an increase in population of 1.0% compared to 2006, that is, an increase of 1,075 inhabitants, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%.

For statistical purposes, Tonga is divided into five districts: Tongatapu, Vava'u, Ha'apai, 'Eua and Niuas. In 2006, the most densely populated region was Tongatapu, with a population of 75,158 people (70.6% of the country's total population), followed by the Vava'u districts (14,936 inhabitants, 15.2 % of population), Ha'apai (6,650 inhabitants or 7.4%), 'Eua (5,011 inhabitants or 4.9%) and Niuas (1,281 inhabitants or 1.9%). Positive growth rate was recorded on Tongatapu (+4.3% compared to 2006). The other islands are experiencing a demographic decline: 'Eua is down -3.7%, on Vava&# 39;u of -3.7%, in Ha'apai it is -2.6% and in Niuas -23.1%. One of the main causes of these low rates is that in these districts the emigration to other countries is notable, mainly to New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

In 2001, there were 40,700 Tongans in New Zealand, most of whom (78%) lived in Auckland and only 5% in Wellington. In 2006 there were 7,580 Tongans in Australia, many of whom lived in the states of New South Wales (60.3%) and Victoria (15.7%). In addition, the United States also has a large Tongan community: 7.3% of Oceanian immigrants living in the country are from Tonga, that is that is, 27,686 inhabitants. Utah, California and Hawaii are the states with the highest Tongan immigration.

Ethnicity

Native women of Tonga.

Fire in a Chinese trade in Nukualofa in 2006.

Tonga has a highly ethnically homogeneous population. According to the 2006 census, nearly 97% of residents were Tongan-born. Indigenous peoples from other Polynesian nations accounted for 1.6% of the population, mostly on islands farther from Tongatapu, the main island. The proportion of foreigners (Europeans, immigrants from other Pacific islands and Asians) is minimal, although since 1990 there has been a notable immigration of Chinese, Indians and Fijians.

In 2006, the number of Chinese in Tonga was 395, compared to 55 in 1996. The first Chinese to immigrate to the islands was an Anglican priest in 1920, and in 1974 Tonga registered the first company of origin Taiwanese. There was significant growth of the Chinese population in Tonga in the last decade of the 20th century, largely due to the fact that in 1990 the Tongan government was selling Tongan passports to Chinese and Hong Kong residents. The passports were purchased mainly by small Chinese businessmen. As a result, in 2001 there were about 120 stores owned by immigrants from China in the capital. However, the influx of Chinese immigrants led to discontent among the local population, who feared economic domination that would stagnate their businesses. In addition, there was rising unemployment among Tongans around this time.

In 1999, the Association of Chinese in Tonga recorded forty cases of harassment of Chinese businessmen, including violent attacks. A year later, all Chinese shops in the Nukunuku neighborhood were closed. In 2001, there were close to one hundred attacks against Chinese immigrants committed for racist reasons and organized by xenophobic Tongans. Growing tensions in Tongan society, encouraged by Prime Minister Ulakalala lavaka Ata, led to the denial of renewal of their work licenses to more than 600 Chinese. Later, Ulakalala lavaka Ata was forced to leave the country in the following twelve months. In 2006, constant riots were organized in Nuku'alofa against Chinese businessmen, leading to the emigration of several hundreds of them. Despite the large number of attacks, the Chinese community remains significant.

Languages

The official languages are English and Tongan. The latter is one of numerous Malayo-Polynesian languages such as Rapanui, Gilbertese, Nauruan, Hawaiian, Maori, Tahitian, Samoan, and Tuvaluan. The written form of Tongan was created in the mid-19th century by European missionaries. The total number of speakers of this language is approximately 96,300 people. Tongan uses only sixteen letters of the Latin alphabet, five vowels and eleven consonants. According to government data, in 1999, 98.9% of the inhabitants were bilingual, that is, they knew how to read and write the two official languages. On the islands of Niuafo'ou and 'Eua, Niuafo'ou is spoken, a dialect of Walisian, which is not considered an official language, but an indigenous language. About 690 people wear the niuafo'ou in private when no Tongans are present, but it is not worn in church or in public.

Religion

Chapel of the Wesleyana Church Free of Tonga.

Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Last Day Saints in Nuku'alofa.

Christianity is the predominant religion in Tonga, practiced by 89.4% of the population. The first Christian missionaries to visit the archipelago were members of the London Missionary Society. They arrived in 1797, but were unsuccessful in their undertaking. The first permanent Christian mission on the islands was not established until 1826.

According to the 2006 census, the majority of Tongans (approximately 38,052 or 37.3% of the population) were followers of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga. Members of the Church of Tonga Jesus Christ of the Saints of the Last Days, also known as Mormons, constitute the second largest religious group in the country, with 16.8% of the population, followed by Catholics, who decreased to 15.6% of the population of the archipelago.. Other Christian churches with a significant number of followers are the Free Church, with 11.4% supporters; the Church of Tonga, with 7.1%; the Tokaikolo Christian Church with 2.5%; the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with 2.2%; the Assembly of God Church, with 2.3%; the Constitutional Church of Tonga with 0.9%; and the Anglican Church, with 0.8% of followers. According to the census, 1.3% of the population professes other Christian practices or other religions. However, only 28 people claimed to be atheists and 1,509 Tongans refused to discuss their religious affiliation.

Although the dominant church in the country is the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, in recent years there has been a decline in the number of its adherents, as has the Catholic Church. At the same time, others drew a larger following, most notably the Free Church of Tonga and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; the latter surpassed the Catholic Church as the second most important religious group in the country. The Royal Family is a member of the Methodist Church, which was founded in 1924 with the approval of Queen Salote Tupou III, through the merger of two branches of the Methodist movement: the Free Church of Tonga (founded in 1885 by order of King George Tupou I of Tonga) and the Uesliytsev.

The first Catholic missionaries landed on the islands of Tonga in 1837, but they did not obtain permission to establish a permanent mission in the country until 1842. The Catholic society that existed at the time was under the Apostolic Vicariate of the Central Pacific, which it was established on August 23, 1842. The Apostolic Vicariate of Tonga was founded on April 13, 1937. On June 21, 1966, an independent diocese was created in the archipelago.

The first missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived in Tonga in 1891. Unsuccessful in their visit, the Mormon mission ended in 1897, but was restored nineteen years later. style="font-variant:small-caps;text-transform:lowercase">XXI is one of the fastest growing religious movements in the country. According to the Mormon Church, Tonga has the highest percentage of adherents of this religious organization in the world in relation to its population, 54,281 members. However, according to the official 2006 census, followers of Mormonism number only 17 109 people. Nuku'alofa Temple, built in 1983, is his only place of worship on Tonga's main island, Tongatapu.

The country has no official religion and freedom of worship is guaranteed by the constitution. There is a government recommendation for all religious groups in the country to register, but this indication is not mandatory and not all religious denominations have done so. All religious groups are also allowed to introduce duty-free products intended for religious purposes, but no religion is subsidized. The constitution establishes that Saturday and Sunday are "holy days", and that no company can work. The exception is hotels and resorts that are part of the tourist industry and schools run by Mormons and Methodists that offer religious courses.

Education

Protestant missionaries, who founded the first Christian mission in the archipelago, began school education in the country around 1826, incorporating the ideas of John Wesley into their teachings. Later, the educational system was greatly influenced by representatives of other Christian doctrines. In 1876, universal primary education was implemented, which became the responsibility of the government in 1882, when it took sole control of education. Despite this, in 1906 many religious missions were again authorized to found their own schools.

Tonga's public education is of a high standard compared to other countries in Oceania; according to the 2006 census, the literacy rate among people between the ages of 15 and 25 was 98.6%, a figure that rises to 98.8% for women. Education is compulsory and free for children from six to fourteen years old. The country's school system is divided into three stages: six years of primary education, three of secondary education and another three of higher education. The collaboration with other countries such as Australia, New Zealand or Japan is noteworthy, which finance educational projects for Tongan students.

In 1997 there were 116 primary schools in the country, of which 105 were public and 11 private, belonging mainly to churches, such as the Free Wesleyan Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Catholic. In 2011 there were 17,033 students enrolled in primary education, between men (8,971) and women (8,062). The number of teachers was 706.

Regarding secondary education, in 1997 there were 41 registered institutions in the country, 8 of them public and 33 private, the latter belonging mostly to Protestant churches. In 2011 there were 14,874 students studying in secondary school, divided between 7,876 men and 6,998 women, with a total of 1,021 teachers.

The government also maintains other tertiary educational entities, such as the Institute of Education and Vocational Training, the Polytechnic Institute, the Reina Salote Nursing School —which takes its name from a former queen of the country— and the Police Training School of Tonga. There is also a campus of the University of the South Pacific in Nuku'alofa, established in 1971, which has 1,400 students and 20 staff, including faculty and other staff.

Health

A United States Navy Marine examines a patient during a health day in Tonga.

Tonga's healthcare system is well developed compared to other countries in Oceania. Although traditional medicine continues to play an important role, most of the Tongan population accepts and makes use of modern medicine when considering that it can be beneficial. Medical care at public health centers is free. The private health sector is underdeveloped and is represented mainly by traditional healers and government doctors who practice private medicine as a second job. A health insurance system exists, but it only covers government officials.

The largest hospital is located in Nuku'alofa, it has 199 beds and specializes in treating patients with different diseases, but it is not equipped for surgeries that require high-tech equipment. On the islands of In 'Eua, Ha'apai and Vava'u there are three hospitals. In addition, there are 14 primary health care centers and 34 maternity clinics. In 2010, Tonga had 37 dentists, 62 doctors, 357 nurses and 21 midwives. The main causes of morbidity in Tonga are acute respiratory infections, such as influenza and pneumonia. In recent decades, there have been cases of degenerative and non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases, the causes of which are due to several factors. Among these are the processes of globalization, the growth of the well-being of the population, the automation of production, the increase in the consumption of imported goods with a high content of g levels and sugars, the decrease in physical activity among adults and the increase in the number of smokers. According to the 2006 census, 21% of the population smokes. Of these, only 9% are women and 33% are older people. Tonga is the country in the world with the highest number of obese inhabitants in relation to its population: 70% of women between the ages of 15 and 85 are obese. Life expectancy is 75.6 years.

Culture

Young university students performing a traditional dance Kailao.

Contemporary Tongan society, as well as traditional society, is characterized by high population stratification and hierarchy. However, it took several centuries for there to be significant changes in the division of society, largely attenuated by the differences between the different social groups. In Tongan society there are three social groups: the representatives of the Family Royal, (Tongan: tu'i ha'a), distinguished leaders and prominent citizens, including activists, religious leaders, artists and others (hou'eiki), and common folk (tu'a kau). All titles are still hereditary and are generally passed down through the male line only The constitution of 1875 introduced a new category to the kingdom, the landed aristocracy.

The social organization in Tonga, which consists of a hierarchy of people based on their status and power, operates largely on the basis of the family. Tongan families consist of couples and their children living in one house, or a group of families living in one or several villages. Sex and age are also a determining factor in the more or less important role of a person in the social fabric of the country. For example, the position of women in Tongan society has traditionally been considered more privileged than that of men. However, in inheritance of land or honorary titles, preference is given to the male line.

Music

Tambor Lalioriginally from Fiyi and Tonga.

Information on music and musical instruments existing before the colonization of Tonga is very scarce. The first European travelers to visit the archipelago, James Cook and William Mariner, made some notes in their journals about the traditional music they heard during their visit to the islands. Among the popular instruments of Tonga are the idiophones: drums, gongs and harps.

Before the arrival of Europeans, drums were absent in all of Polynesia, except for Tokelau. Drums from the Tongan islands are supposed to have been imported from Samoa, along with the mauluulu dance, and these two cultural elements have since undergone significant transformations. Gongs, which were very popular in Tonga and James Cook cited them in his diary in 1784, they were imported from the Fiji Islands. According to James Cook's descriptions, the gongs were 0.9 m long and 1.2 m thick, twice less than the gongs. gongs from neighboring islands, with a small difference of 8 cm compared to the same instrument from Fiji.

The utete is a local musical instrument made of palm leaves with a length of 25 cm and a width of 3 cm. Its use is very common in the country and very infrequent outside of it. Common musical instruments in the West, such as the flute, guitar, and cavaquinho, are imported from European countries. Contemporary Tongan music was influenced by different musical currents from Europe, the Pacific and the Caribbean. In general, the lyrics of Tongan musicians are poems built on the basis of traditional songs and dances.

Dance

Dance lakalaka, recognized by Unesco.

Official ceremonial dances were widely used in the past and preserved to present times. The best known Tongan dance is the me'etu'upaki, a dance performed only by men in which three musical instruments are used: the fali drum, the utete and the rattles. The voice support is provided by a group of men and women who sit opposite a dancer, the main figure of the act. In the past, the me'etu'upaki dance was performed only during major events of national importance; today, it is performed more frequently in the villages.

There is also the so-called 'otuhaka dance, in which men and women participate. The music is accompanied by the others with a movement of the hands. Formerly, the most common instrument in this dance was the drum, to which other instruments were added over time, such as the guitar and the tafue, an instrument made from two bamboo sticks.

Another well-known dance from Tonga is the lakalaka, which was declared by Unesco in 2003 as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity and is often referred to as the "dance national". The dance is a mix of choreography, oratory, and vocal and instrumental polyphony with hundreds of participants, both men and women, lining up in rows; men on the right and women on the left. The men dance executing energetic movements, while the women perform graceful dance steps coordinated with elegant hand gestures. Both groups clap and sing while they dance, with the vocal accompaniment of a choir being frequent.

Nine thousand students performing the dance ma'ulu'ulu during the coronation of King George Tupou V in 2008.

Gastronomy

OtaiA drink of Tongian origin.

The ancient Tongans relied on agricultural products such as yams, sweet potatoes, bananas and coconuts, among other products, as their staple food. They consumed a large quantity of fish that are normally cooked on special sheets in underground ovens. They considered a delicacy various mollusks, which are eaten raw. The most popular drink was coconut milk. The ancient inhabitants of the archipelago also raised pigs.

The diet of contemporary Tongans includes many products and plants that were brought to the islands by Europeans, such as onions, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, oranges, lemons, and cassava. It is also worth noting the watermelon, which became very popular in the archipelago. One of the most widely consumed non-alcoholic beverages in Tonga, otai, is obtained by mixing watermelon juice, coconut milk, and sometimes other fruit juices such as mango and pineapple.

Traditional Tongan dishes include: Pulu'lu, meat cooked in taioba leaves, along with onion and coconut milk; the Tong'lu, cooked lamb; and Vai'siaine, a banana and coconut soup. There is also a drink called kava, made from the roots of the plant of the same name, and served in ceremonies and solemn occasions. Kava is used by Tongans to prevent and cure various diseases such as headache, hemoglobinuria, malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, cancer, asthma, indigestion, and insomnia.

Festivities

The Kingdom of Tonga declares ten days a year as public holidays. Of these, six are exclusive celebrations of the country and another four are celebrated in other nations, such as Easter and Christmas.

Sports

Tonga's rugby selection before starting a match in 2008.

Recorded of the centuryXIX which shows some young Vava'u islands performing local dances and traditional games.

The most popular sport in Tonga is rugby union. The Tonga national rugby union team is known as the Sea Eagles. Despite underperforming teams from Samoa and Fiji, the country has participated in the Rugby World Cup four times, the first in 1987. The national team's best performance came at the Rugby World Cup 2007, when the country defeated the United States and Samoa, with results of 25 to 15 points and 19 to 15 points, respectively. However, in the next two games, they lost to South Africa and England, and finished in third place in their group, failing to reach the quarterfinals but qualifying for the next edition of the Rugby World Cup.

The Tonga Football Association has been a member of FIFA and the Oceania Football Confederation since 1994. The Tonga national team's first international match was held on August 29, 1979, where they were thrashed by Tahiti in the framework of the South Pacific Games. The biggest defeat suffered by the team was on April 9, 2001, when they lost to Australia 22-0. Tonga's biggest victory came against the Micronesian national soccer team on July 5, 2003, during the South Pacific Games in Fiji, with a score of 7–0.

The National Olympic Committee was formed in 1963 and was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1984. Tonga first participated in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The country's first and only medal was won in 1996, when boxer Paea Wolfgramm received the silver medal. Due to the country's climatic conditions, he has never participated in the Winter Olympics.

The geographical characteristics of the archipelago provide multiple facilities for practicing various water sports. Most of these have been developed as a way to boost tourism; among the most important are diving, sailing, jumping, snorkeling, sport fishing, kayaking and swimming. Extreme sports, such as surfing, jet-kayak and Kitesurfing, have gained popularity in recent years, mainly on the Vava'u islands. The possibilities offered by the archipelago were the reason for choosing it as the venue for the Camel Trophy 2000, the most different edition of all and the last of the so-called Great adventure. The organization provided aquatic motor vehicles instead of land ones. by cliffs or diving, in addition to sailing in outboard boats. The participants displayed the flags of Germany, Austria, a "coalition" made up of the members of the Benelux, another "coalition" representing the Scandinavian countries, Spain with a team from the Peninsula and another carrying the flag of the Canary Islands, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland and Turkey. They all covered about a thousand nautical miles.

Apart from the games popular around the world, some other games are traditional in Tonga. The country has a large number of forms of traditional entertainment, especially for children. The pani is a game between two teams in which a tennis ball and twelve aluminum cans are used. One team must build a tower with the cans, while the other tries to topple the tower with the tennis ball. The team that built the tower must rebuild it in less than ten seconds. If this happens, the team gets a point. The game continues, always alternating turns. The hico is a game that includes dance and juggling. Whoever handles the most items wins, be it fruit, tennis balls, and empty bottles.