Nukualofa

CAPITAL CITY OF Tonga: Nukualofa
LANGUAGE OF Tonga: English
CURRENCY OF Tonga: Pa'anga (TOP)
COMMENTS ABOUT Tonga:
The Kingdom of Tonga (Tongan for "south") is an independent archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean.
Electricity : 230V/50Hz (Australian plug)
Calling code : +676
Time zone : (UTC+13)
The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.
CLIMATE OF Tonga: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
RELIGION OF Tonga: Christian (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints claims 52,000 adherents; Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)
POPULATION OF Tonga: 112,422 (July 2005 est.)>>>
ECONOMY OVERVIEW OF Tonga: Tonga, a small, open, South Pacific island economy, has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. Tourism is the second largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. High unemployment among the young and the continuing upturn in inflation are major issues facing the government.