Difference between revisions of "Tonga"

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Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga (Tongan for "south"), is an independent archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean. It lies about a third of the way between New Zealand and Hawaii, south of Samoa and east of Fiji. The earliest inhabitants of the islands of Tonga were Pygmy peoples. They were largely replaced and absorbed by Bantu tribes during Bantu migrations. The Batongo are comprised of Bantu groups that also occupied parts of present-day Indonesia, West Papua and the Phillipines, forming the basis for ethnic affinities and rivalries among those states. Several Bantu kingdoms—notably those of the Tongo, the Loango, and the Teke—built trade links leading throughout the Tonga Island group.
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{{country
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|flag=Flag of Tonga.png
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|arms=Arms of Tonga.png
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|capital=Nuku'alofa
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|government=Constitutional monarchy
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|king=Tupou VI
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|pm=ʻAkilisi Pohiva
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|gdp=US$148.9 million
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|pop=101,169
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|pop-basis=(2006 census)
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|gdp-year=(2003/2004)
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|gdp-pc=US$1,287
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}}
  
The first European contacts came in the late 15th century, and commercial relationships were quickly established with the kingdoms—trading for slaves. Tonga became a Belgian colony from the 1780s until 1919, the area subsequently became a British Mandate from 1919 to 1961. It served as a military outpost during WWII and provided financial help as well as munitions. Julius Nyerere became Minister of British-administered Tonga in 1960 and continued as Prime Minister when Tonga became independent in 1961.  
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The '''Kingdom of Tonga''' is the last remaining [[Polynesia]]n kingdom in the [[Pacific Ocean|South Pacific]]. It consists of an [[archipelago]] located directly south of [[Western Samoa]]. Its 171 [[island]]s, 48 of them inhabited, are divided into three main groups—Vava'u, Ha'apai, and Tongatapu—and cover an 800-kilometer (500&nbsp;mi.)-long north-south line.<ref>http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/16092.htm</ref>
  
The islands are also known as the Friendly Islands, the name given by Captain Cook because of the friendly reception he received. He happened to arrive at the time of ʻinasi festival, the yearly donation of the first fruits to the Tuʻi Tonga and was invited to the festivities. According to the writer William Mariner, in reality the chiefs had wanted to kill Cook during the gathering, but had been unable to agree on a recipe.
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Its largest and most populated island, [[Tongatapu]], on which the capital city of Nuku'alofa is located, covers 257 square kilometers (99 sq. mi.). Geologically the Tongan islands are of two types: most have a limestone base formed from uplifted coral formations; others consist of limestone overlaying a volcanic base.
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Its population is about 100,000, mostly [[Christian]] and almost entirely Tongan in ethnicity.  Their literacy rate is nearly 100%.  Thanks to missionary work, about a third of Tongans are [[Mormon]], making Tonga the place with the greatest concentration of Mormons outside [[Salt Lake City]].<ref>''Condensed Knowledge'', New York: Random House, 2008.</ref>
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Its government is a Constitutional hereditary monarchy, based on a [[constitution]] drafted in 1875 and revised in 1970, when it obtained its independence from [[Britain]].  Its [[GDP]] is US$148.9 million, and its per capita GDP is US$1,287.  Its major natural resource is [[fish]].
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Its Constitution declares the [[Sabbath]] to be sacred forever, and businesses (including entertainment) close on Sunday each week.
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[[Image:Tonga Pangaimotu Island.jpg|thumb|Pangaimotu Island]]
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Primary education between ages 6 and 14 is compulsory and free in state [[school]]s. The state owns and operates 99% of the primary schools and 44% of secondary schools. Higher education includes teacher training, nursing and medical training, a small private [[university]], a women's business college, and a number of private agricultural schools. Most higher education is pursued overseas.
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== References ==
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<references/>
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[[Category:Oceanian Countries]]
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[[Category:Archipelagos]]
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[[Category:LDS Church]]
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[[Category:Micronations]]
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[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]

Revision as of 16:16, April 1, 2017

Tonga


Flag of Tonga.png
Arms of Tonga.png
Flag Coat of Arms
Capital Nuku'alofa
Government Constitutional monarchy
Monarch King Tupou VI
Prime minister ʻAkilisi Pohiva
Population (2006 census) 101,169
GDP (2003/2004) US$148.9 million
GDP per capita US$1,287


The Kingdom of Tonga is the last remaining Polynesian kingdom in the South Pacific. It consists of an archipelago located directly south of Western Samoa. Its 171 islands, 48 of them inhabited, are divided into three main groups—Vava'u, Ha'apai, and Tongatapu—and cover an 800-kilometer (500 mi.)-long north-south line.[1]

Its largest and most populated island, Tongatapu, on which the capital city of Nuku'alofa is located, covers 257 square kilometers (99 sq. mi.). Geologically the Tongan islands are of two types: most have a limestone base formed from uplifted coral formations; others consist of limestone overlaying a volcanic base.

Its population is about 100,000, mostly Christian and almost entirely Tongan in ethnicity. Their literacy rate is nearly 100%. Thanks to missionary work, about a third of Tongans are Mormon, making Tonga the place with the greatest concentration of Mormons outside Salt Lake City.[2]

Its government is a Constitutional hereditary monarchy, based on a constitution drafted in 1875 and revised in 1970, when it obtained its independence from Britain. Its GDP is US$148.9 million, and its per capita GDP is US$1,287. Its major natural resource is fish.

Its Constitution declares the Sabbath to be sacred forever, and businesses (including entertainment) close on Sunday each week.

Pangaimotu Island

Primary education between ages 6 and 14 is compulsory and free in state schools. The state owns and operates 99% of the primary schools and 44% of secondary schools. Higher education includes teacher training, nursing and medical training, a small private university, a women's business college, and a number of private agricultural schools. Most higher education is pursued overseas.

References

  1. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/16092.htm
  2. Condensed Knowledge, New York: Random House, 2008.