Tonga Facts and Culture

What is Tonga famous for?

• Cultural Attributes: Tongans are understandably proud of their independent nation, their royal heritage, and the Polynesian culture. The 'Tongan way of life'... More
• Family: Tongan families are very sociable, and they care for one another in every situation. The family unit consists not only... More
• Personal Apperance: Women generally avoid wearing short skirts or low-necked dresses, as modesty is valued. It is a law that males over... More
• Recreation: Tonga offers a variety of recreational activities that can cater to all types of travelers. Whether you are looking for... More
• Diet: The tradition for Tongans includes two meals a day, consisting of yams, taro leaves, sweet potatoes, cassava, fish, or pork.... More
• Food and Recipes: Whenever possible, families eat meals together. Residents of outer islands sit on woven mats, while urban Tongans use dining tables.... More
• Visiting: Tongan society is close-knit, and social interaction is part of the fabric. People always greet each other when passing. Women... More
• Dating: There is little interaction between boys and girls during adolescence. Teenagers meet at church groups or village activities. Traditionally, a... More

What is the capital of Tonga?

Capital	Nuku'alofa
Government Type	constitutional monarchy
Currency	Pa'anga (TOP)
Total Area	288 Square Miles 747 Square Kilometers
Location	Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Language	Tongan, English
GDP - real growth rate	2.7%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$5,100.00 (USD)

What is the population of Tonga?

Ethnic Groups	Polynesian, Europeans about 300
Languages	Tongan is the language used for everyday communication, while Tongan and English are both official languages. The majority of Tongans are of Polynesian descent. Tongan is spelled with a Latin script, and sounds the way it looks.
Nationality Noun	Tongan(s)
Population	106,095
Population Growth Rate	0.14%
Population in Major Urban Areas	NUKU'ALOFA 25,000
Urban Population	23.000000

What type of government does Tonga have?

Executive Branch	chief of state: King TUPOU VI (since 18 March 2012); Heir Apparent Crown Prince Siaosi Manumataogo 'Alaivahamama'o 'Ahoeitu Konstantin Tuku'aho, son of the king (born 17 September 1985) head of government: Prime Minister Siaosi SOVALENI (since 27 December 2021) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly and appointed by the monarch; election last held on 18 November 2021 (next to be held in November 2025) election results: Siaosi SOVALENI elected prime minister by the Legislative Assembly; Siaosi SOVALENI 16 votes, Aisake EKE 10 note: a Privy Council advises the monarch
Suffrage	21 years of age; universal
Citizenship	citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Tonga; if a child is born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Tonga dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
National Holiday	Official Birthday of King TUPOU VI, 4 July (1959); note - actual birthday of the monarch is 12 July 1959, 4 July (2015) is the day the king was crowned; Constitution Day (National Day), 4 November (1875)
Constitution	history: adopted 4 November 1875, revised 1988, 2016 amendments: proposed by the Legislative Assembly; passage requires approval by the Assembly in each of three readings, the unanimous approval of the Privy Council (a high-level advisory body to the monarch), the Cabinet, and assent to by the monarch; revised 1988; amended many times, last in 2013
Independence	4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate status)

YouTube: Unesco The Lakalaka, Dances and Sung Speeches of Tonga

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What environmental issues does Tonga have?

Climate	tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Environment - Current Issues	deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations
Environment - International Agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Terrain	most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base

How big is the Tonga economy?

Economic Overview	Tonga has a small, open island economy and is the last constitutional monarchy among the Pacific Island countries. It has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the main crops. Agricultural exports, including fish, make up two-thirds of total exports. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. Tonga had 53,800 visitors in 2015. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from overseas Tongans to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, encouraging investment, and is committing increased funds for health care and education. Tonga's English-speaking and educated workforce offers a viable labor market, and the tropical climate provides fertile soil. Renewable energy and deep-sea mining also offer opportunities for investment. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well developed social services. But the government faces high unemployment among the young, moderate inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures.
Industries	tourism, fishing
Currency Name and Code	Pa'anga (TOP)
Export Partners	Japan 40.7%, US 37%, Germany 3.7%
Import Partners	New Zealand 31.4%, Fiji 20.9%, US 14%, Australia 12.8%, China 5.8%

What current events are happening in Tonga?
Source: Google News

What makes Tonga a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Tonga is a South Pacific island nation consisting of 171 islands, of which 45 are inhabited. Tonga is a constitutional monarchy and a member of the British Commonwealth. Its agrarian economy is developing, and its tourist industry, although limited, is growing. Tourist facilities are concentrated in and around the main island of Tongatapu where the capital, Nuku’alofa, is located. Tourism is expanding to the island of Va’vau. The Tongan Visitor’s Bureau has a wide range of information of interest to travelers.

Crime

Although Tonga has a low crime rate, there has been a recent rise in house break-ins and property theft. Though rare, sexual assaults against foreigners have occurred, including on public beaches. Females in particular should avoid going out alone at night or alone to isolated locations. You should not be complacent regarding your personal safety or the protection of your valuables.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

The Tonga equivalent numbers to the U.S. “911” emergency lines are: 911, which connects to the Tonga Telecommunications emergency operators; 922, which connects directly to the police; and 933, which connects directly to the hospital. U.S. citizens requiring immediate emergency services in Tonga should call one of these emergency contact numbers.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in the Kingdom of Tonga, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. You may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Tonga, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

Languages

Tongan is the language used for everyday communication, while Tongan and English are both official languages. The majority of Tongans are of Polynesian descent. Tongan is spelled with a Latin script, and sounds the way it looks.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Medical facilities, including medications, in Tonga are extremely limited. The cities of Nuku'alofa and Neiafu have hospitals with limited emergency and outpatient facilities. Local residents and visitors with serious medical problems are often referred to New Zealand for treatment. For additional information on medical visas for New Zealand, contact the Embassy of New Zealand, 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008, (202) 328-4800 or the Consulate General in Los Angeles (310) 207-1605. Serious medical conditions requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in Tonga, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Tonga is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

No roadside assistance is available. Traffic moves on the left in Tonga. While roads in Nuku’alofa are paved, most other roads are not. Animals and unwary pedestrians walking in the road make night driving on unlit secondary roads hazardous. There are no stop lights in the country; drivers are required to stop at all roundabouts and allow vehicles on the right side to proceed. For specific information concerning Tonga driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please contact the Consulate General of Tonga in San Francisco.