Tonga |
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The archipelago of the Kingdom of Tonga, also known as the Friendly Islands, is situated in the Oceania. The archipelago comprises 169 islands in the South Pacific Ocean, among which only 36 islands are inhabited. Tonga has the only surviving monarchy among the island nations in the Pacific Ocean. Nukualofa is the capital of Tonga. Tonga is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. HISTORY:- Polynesians were the earliest settlers in the region. The Dutch arrived in the land in 1616 followed by British explorer James Cook who arrived in the land in 1773 and 1777. Taufa'ahau Tupou took the name of George I and established the royal dynasty of Tonga in 1831. By 1845, Tonga was unified into one Polynesian kingdom by Taufa'ahau Tupou. In 1875, the region was granted with a constitution. In 1900, when his grandson signed a treaty with the British for friendship, which was revised in 1959, the land became a protectorate of Britain. Tonga was incorporated into the British Western Pacific Territories from 1901-1970. Tonga gained independence in 1970 and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in the same year. Tonga became a member of the United Nations in 1999. GEOGRAPHY:- Tonga is located at 20 00 S, 175 00 W in the Oceania. The archipelago comprises 169 islands, occupying total 748 sq km area in which land and water portions occupy 718 sq km and 30 sq km respectively. The coastline is 419 km long along with the South Pacific Ocean. The lowest point is Pacific Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is an unnamed elevation on Kao Island (1,033 m). Some islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation while some others have limestone overlying volcanic base. CLIMATE:- The climate of Tonga is predominantly tropical, modified by the trade winds. The warm season persists from December to May, and the cool season persists from May to December. GOVERNMENT:- Tonga has a constitutional monarchy. The constitution was adopted on 4th November 1875 and was revised on 1st January 1967. The legal system is designed after the English common law. The three main branches of the government and their officials are as follows: Executive branch comprises the King (chief of state), the Prime Minister (head of government), the Deputy Prime Minister, the Privy Council and the cabinet. The monarch is hereditary. Both the prime minister and the deputy prime minister are appointed by the monarch. The Privy Council consists of the monarch, the cabinet, and two governors. Among the 14 members of the cabinet, 10 members are appointed by the monarch and remaining 4 members are appointed from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly. Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (32 seats). Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. The judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the monarch. People's Democratic Party, Friendly Islands Human Rights and Democratic Movement, and Paati Langafonua Tu'uloa are the most prominent political parties of Tonga. Suffrage is universal at the age of 21. King George Tupou V ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Tonga is composed of 3 island groups: Ha'apai, Tongatapu, and Vava'u. CULTURE:- Before the arrival of the Europeans, Tongan culture was predominantly derived from its Oceanic neighbors. But after Europeanization, Tongan culture had been changed dramatically. Rugby union is the national sport of Tonga. Tongan women are famous for juggling. ECONOMY:- Agriculture is the base of the Tongan economy. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the main economic crops in the open and well-developed economy of Tonga. Tongan economy is largely based on the foreign aid. Tourism is the 2nd largest source of foreign currency earning. The government is giving stress on the privatization and investments. GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $526 million; per capita $5,100. Real growth rate: -3.5%. Inflation: 5.9%. Unemployment: 13% (FY03/04 est.). Arable land: 20%. Agriculture: Squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish. Labor force: 33,910 (2003); agriculture 65%, industry and services 35% (1997 est.). Budget: Debt - external: $80.7 million (2004) Industries: Tourism, fishing. Natural resources: fish, fertile soil. Exports: $34 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops. Exports - partners: US 34.4%, Japan 20.3%, South Korea 10.5%, NZ 9.5%, Fiji 5.5%, Samoa 4.6% (2006) Imports: $122 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals. Imports - partners: Fiji 33.1%, NZ 28%, US 9.2%, Australia 7.8%, China 4.8% (2006) Major trading partners: Japan, China, U.S., Taiwan, New Zealand, Fiji, Australia (2004). Monetary unit: Pa'anga LANGUAGE:- Tongan and English are the official languages of Tonga. Tongan is an Austronesian language which is very similar to Wallisian, Niuean and other Polynesian dialects such as Hawaiian and Samoan. CITIES:- The city of Nukualofa is the capital of Tonga and the largest city of the country as well. POPULATION:- The population of is estimated 116,921 with an average growth rate of 1.8%. RACE:- RELIGION:- The predominant religion followed by the Tongans is Christianity. HEALTH:- UNICEF:- UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme fights against violence against children. UNICEF and its partners provide psychosocial support to social, environmental or political conflict-affected children. UNICEF’s Adolescent Development and Child Health Programme promotes awareness on HIV among the youth, trains the youth to enhance their skills. Teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and trafficking of children are the major issues with the country. UNICEF supplies vaccines at a low cost. UNICEF partners with civil registrars and health ministries to assist them in birth registration. TRANSPORTATION:- Posted by subhasis on Thursday Aug 21 reply Comments |
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