Tonga

Tonga

AREA	748 sq km (289 sq miles).
POPULATION	97,446 (1996).
POPULATION DENSITY	130.3 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Nuku'alofa.
CAPITAL POPULATION	34,000 (1990).
GEOGRAPHY	Tonga is an archipelago of 172 islands in the South Pacific, most of which are uninhabited, covering an area of 7700 sq km (3000 sq miles). The major island groups are Tongatapu and 'Eua, Ha'apai and Vava'u. Tonga's high volcanic and low coral forms give the islands a unique character. Some volcanoes are still active and Falcon Island in the Vava'u group is a submerged volcano that erupts periodically, its lava and ash rising above sea level forming a visible island which disappears when the eruption is over. Nuku'alofa, on Tongatapu Island, has a reef-protected harbour lined with palms. The island is flat with a large lagoon, but no running streams, and many surrounding smaller islands. 'Eua Island is hilly and forested with high cliffs and beautiful beaches. The Ha'apai Islands, a curving archipelago 160km (100 miles) north of Tongatapu, have excellent beaches. Tofua, the largest island in the group, is an active volcano with a hot steaming lake in its crater. The Vava'u Islands, 90km (50 miles) north of Ha'apai, are hilly, densely wooded and interspersed with a maze of narrow channels. They are known for their stalagmite-filled caves.
GOVERNMENT	Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1970. Head of State: King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV since 1965. Head of Government: Prime Minister Baron Vaea since 1991.
LANGUAGE	Tongan and English.
RELIGION	Wesleyan Church, Roman Catholic, Anglican.
STANDARD TIME	GMT + 13.
ELECTRICITY	240 volts AC, 50Hz.

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