The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were 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.
Country profile: Tonga
An archipelago of more than 170 islands spread over an area of the South Pacific roughly the size of Japan, Tonga is the last Polynesian monarchy. A deeply conservative, Christian country, it is ruled by a king supported by hereditary noblemen who together have a perpetual majority in parliament, electing or appointing 21 of its 30 members.
A former British protectorate, Tonga became fully independent in 1970, though it was never formally colonised.
Tonga has no strategic or mineral resources and is highly dependent on agriculture, fishing and the money sent home by Tongans living abroad, many of them in New Zealand.
Endowed with tropical beaches, rainforest, active volcanoes and ideal diving conditions, it has a developing tourist industry, its principal source of hard currency earnings.
Almost all of Tonga's people are Polynesians and its population has remained largely untouched by immigration. This has made it ideal for genetic research into the causes of common diseases.
Although Tonga has a highly traditional society, some young, Western-educated Tongans have called for a new, more democratic constitution that would allow for direct elections to all parliamentary seats while retaining a titular monarchy.
A tentative step towards reform was taken in early 2005 when elected MPs were appointed to the cabinet for the first time. Previously, all cabinet members had been handpicked by the king from outside parliament.
But demands for change have become stronger. A public sector strike in 2005, marked by major street protests, expanded into a campaign for political reform.
- Full name: Kingdom of Tonga
- Population: 106,000 (UN, 2005)
- Capital: Nuku'alofa
- Area: 748 sq km (289 sq miles)
- Major languages: Tongan, English
- Major religion: Christianity
- Life expectancy: 71 years (men), 73 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 pa'anga = 100 seniti
- Main exports: Fish, pumpkins, coconut products, vanilla beans
- GNI per capita: US $2,190 (World Bank, 2006)
- Internet domain: .to
- International dialling code: +676
Head of state: King George Tupou V
King George Tupou V was sworn in in September 2006, succeeding his father King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV when he died after a long illness.
He was crown prince and the late king's eldest son. He was sworn in at a brief ceremony the day after his father died, but it could be at least a year before a full coronation.
Tupou V is a controversial figure due to his ownership of some of the country's biggest businesses.
He is a bachelor with no children and controls the island's only power company, brewery, an airline and mobile phone company.
He is known for his liking for wearing military uniforms, and for driving around in a London taxi.
King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV died as one of the world's longest-serving monarchs.
He became king when his mother, Queen Salote Tupou III, died in 1965.
Before acceding to the throne, he held portfolios in education and health and also served as prime minister. He was a lay preacher of the Free Wesleyan Methodist Church.
Born in 1918, he studied in Australia and gained a law degree. He was the first Tongan monarch to receive a Western university education.
State-owned radio and TV tend to favour government policies, while private broadcasters offer little independent local coverage.
Some privately-owned newspapers do carry opposition views, but journalists sometimes face harassment and threats of criminal charges.
An amendment to the constitution, passed in 2003, increased the state's control of the media and limited the right of courts to review royal decisions. The move followed unsuccessful attempts to ban a New Zealand-based newspaper.
The press
Television
Radio
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. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. 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, a continuing upturn in inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures are major issues facing the government.
Tongan natural resources include fish, fertile soil
archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)
Tongan religion is Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents).
Natural hazards in Tonga include cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou.
Travel Advice on Tonga
SUMMARY
- Politically motivated violence took place in the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa on 16 November 2006, resulting in seven fatalities and extensive damage to the central business district and government offices. The Government has introduced emergency powers, imposing an exclusion zone to restrict access to the area. Law and order has now been restored, but the security situation remains uncertain and could deteriorate at short notice. You should see the Political Situation of this advice for more details.
- You should observe the restrictions in place around central Nuku'alofa, particularly the business district and areas surrounding Government buildings. While shops, restaurants and bars continue to operate, restrictions are affecting opening hours. You should also take sensible precautions for your personal safety; avoid large crowds, political gatherings and demonstrations; and monitor all available information on the local situation.
- Court hearings relating to the November 2006 riots began on 20 December 2006. We advise you to remain alert while the court is in session and not to travel into the exclusion zone, unless you have a pressing need to do so. There may be increased searches at security checkpoints during this period.
- The British High Commission in Nuku'alofa closed on 20 March 2006. Routine consular services for British nationals are provided by the New Zealand High Commission in Nuku'alofa. If you need to visit the New Zealand High Commission, which is inside the restricted zone, you should telephone in advance. See contact details for information. The British High Commission in Fiji will be responsible for non-routine consular matters. Please see the General Section of this travel advice for more details.
- The threat of terrorism in Tonga is low, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
- Tropical cyclones are common in Tonga from the beginning of November until the end of April. Please see: Hurricanes for more information.
- Most visits to Tonga are trouble free. The main type of incidents for which British nationals require consular assistance in Tonga are for replacing lost or stolen passport and petty crime. Incidences of robbery and theft have increased in Tonga. There have also been some incidences of violent assault. Foreign tourists and foreign residents may be at risk. You should take particular care at night.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see Travel Insurance.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Incidences of robbery and theft have increased in Tonga. There have also been some incidences of violent assault associated with robbery. Foreign tourists and foreign residents may be at risk. You should take particular care at night especially on the main island of Tongatapu. Petty crime and house burglaries are also on the increase. There are sometimes instances of violence associated with alcohol, particularly late at night.
Political Situation
On 16 November 2006, politically motivated violence, including rioting and looting, took place in the capital Nuku'alofa. This resulted in seven deaths and around 80% of the central business district being burnt down. The Tongan Government has exercised emergency powers and imposed an exclusion zone restricting access to the central business. Military checkpoints are in place and permits are required before entry to the area can be granted. Law and order in Nuku'alofa has been restored, but the security situation remains uncertain and could deteriorate at short notice. Police action against those involved in the rioting continues.
Local Travel
The tropical cyclone season from November to April can seriously affect local travel. If you are contemplating sea journeys in particular during this period, you should obtain a weather report from the Tongan Meteorological Office; (Tel: 23401) or on the Tongan Met website: http://www.met.gov.fj
Road Safety
You can obtain a local visitor’s driving licence on the production of a full UK driving licence. Roads are generally in good condition but can be narrow and are sometimes potholed. The low speed limits are strictly applied with on the spot fines. Care should be taken when driving after dark and there is sometimes a risk of rock falls particularly after heavy rain.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
HEALTH
Health facilities are basic, the range of drugs available is limited and modern equipment is in short supply.
Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease, is prevalent in Tonga. You should wear insect repellent at all times, especially during daylight hours when the dengue-carrying mosquitoes are active. You should be aware of the symptoms of dengue fever and seek immediate medical treatment should you suspect infection.
A valid Yellow Fever certificate is required by all travellers over one year old who have been in an infected area prior to arrival in Tonga.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at: www.dh.gov.uk.
NATURAL DISASTERS
Earth tremors are not unusual.On 3 May 2006, an earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale was recorded 95 miles off the coast of Tonga. Tsunami alerts were earlier in place for Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and Hawaii.
GENERAL