Country Guide • Tonga

Flag of Tonga

Tonga is an archipelago located in the South West Pacific Ocean. The territory comprises 169 islands, of which 39 are inhabited. The archipelago consists of two parallel island chains.

Official NameKingdom of Tonga
Area747km² (288mile²)
Population108,141
ContinentAustralia/Oceania
Population per mile²374
Capital CityNuku'alofa
Religions61% Protestant, 16% Roman Catholic.
LanguageTongan, English
GovernmentHereditary constitutional monarchy
CurrencyPa'anga
GDP$236 million
GDP per Head$2,200
Natural ResourcesFish and fertile soil
Land UseArable Land 23.61%
AgricultureCoconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper, squash and fish
IndustryTourism and fishing
TourismTonga is blessed with a tropical climate 100's of Pacific islands, with fantastic beaches, surrounded by coral reefs, basking under a tropical sun. Pacific rainforest to crater lakes and to the lips of active volcanoes, diving to shipwrecks and underwater canyons
Natural HazardsCyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
Health RisksThere is some chance of hepatitis or bacterial infection
ClimateTonga has a subtropical climate characterised by warm period from December to April and a cool period from May to November, with most rainfall occurring during the warm period. Average annual rainfall is 66 inches. Average temperature ranges in Nuku'alofa are from 18 to 25°C in July to 23 to 29°C in February
TimeGMT/UTC+13 hours
National DaysJune 4 - Independence Day
VisasBritish passport holders visiting Tonga as tourists or on business are normally given permission to enter the country for a period not exceeding 30 days, provided that they are in possession of an onward air or sea ticket, adequate funds and relevant health certificates
British EmbassyEmbassy Details

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