Kingdom of Tonga is an island nation in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Located on the Tonga archipelago, consisting of three island groups - Vava'u, Ha'apai, Tongatapu, and individual islands lying to the north of the archipelago (about 200 islands). Area - 699 km2; population - 99.1 thousand people. The capital is Nuku'alofa. Believers are mostly Protestants.
The Tonga archipelago consists of two parallel chains of islands - western and eastern. The western chain, more than 700 km long, consists of mountainous volcanic islands. Sharp mountain peaks rise over 1000 m here, and there are active volcanoes. The eastern chain of mountains includes coral islands ranging in height from a few meters to 200 m. Massifs of dense tropical rainforests grow mainly on the volcanic islands of Vava'u and Eua.
Only 36 islands are inhabited, with over 60% of the population living on the main island of Tongatapu. Over 1/3 of the population is concentrated in the cities of Nuku'alofa (Tongatapu Island), Pangai (Lifuka Island), Neiafu (Vava'u Island), the rest live in small villages. About 90% of the population is employed in agriculture and small enterprises. Food crops grown include coconut palm, yams, taro, mangoes, bananas, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, melons and vegetables.
NATURE
RELIEF
The islands are divided into three main groups: Vava'u, Ha'apai and Tongatapu. North of Vava'u are the small islands of Niuafo'u, Niutoputapu and Tafahi.
The largest islands are of volcanic origin, the remaining islands are coral.
CLIMATE
The climate is tropical, maritime.
RIVERS AND LAKES
There are rivers only on the islands of Eua and Niuatoputapu. On volcanic islands there are lakes in volcanic craters (Tofua).
VEGETATION
The flora of the Tonga Islands includes 263 genera. The vegetation is more similar to the flora of the western islands of Oceania, although it contains many eastern elements.
ANIMAL WORLD
The species diversity of mammals is limited. Rats and mice brought by Europeans are common, and among the local species are flying foxes (the fruit bat family), idolized by the population.
Tonga - climate
The Tonga archipelago has a humid tropical climate. On the southern islands, annual temperature fluctuations reach 5 degrees, while on the northern islands they are practically absent. The hottest month is February. In February, on the northern islands, daytime air temperatures reach 30..32 degrees Celsius, on the southern ones - 29..31 degrees Celsius, and night temperatures in the north of the archipelago drop to +25 degrees, in the south - to +23 degrees. It is a little cooler in July-September, at this time on the northern islands during the day the air warms up to +28..+29 degrees, and at night it cools down to +23 degrees; in the north the corresponding figures are +25 and +18 degrees.
The rainy season lasts from November to April. At this time, powerful tropical cyclones come to the region, bringing stormy weather and often causing destruction. The greatest amount of precipitation falls on the northern islands - up to 2500 mm per year. On the southern islands, up to 1700 mm of precipitation falls annually. The rainiest month is March, when up to 300 mm of precipitation falls. From May to October there is relatively dry weather with a predominance of south-eastern trade winds.
Eua Island
Located 40 km south of Tongatapu, it is a hilly and quite picturesque coral atoll crowning the top of an underwater volcano. The second largest of the Tongatapu group, the island is quite different from its northern neighbor - rugged and mountainous, with the largest areas of natural bush and rainforest, it is ideal for hiking, trekking and even, in some places, rock climbing. Almost the entire island has been turned into one large nature reserve - the largest tract of natural forest in the archipelago is located here and is home to the most diverse bird community. In addition, the island is easily accessible - numerous ferries go here from Nuku'alofa (travel time is about 2 hours), planes fly (the flight from the capital takes 8 minutes - probably the shortest air route in the world), and numerous excursion ships come from all over Great Ocean. In addition to the protected area, the island's attractions include countless caves and karst wells in the central region (many of them are hidden under the canopy of vegetation, so you should be very careful when moving around the island), the ruins of the once majestic Anokula Palace on top of a 120-meter cliff, from where a beautiful panorama opens up Eula and surrounding waters, the excellent Tufuvai beach with white sand and a rich coral reef, as well as the best beach on the island - Haaluma, lying on the south coast.
Haapai Group
Consists of 68 small islands that form the geological and geographical center of Tonga. Most of the islands are small, low-lying coral atolls, with the exception of the volcanic Tofua Islands (whose volcano is still active) and the dormant volcano of Kao Island to the west. The main island of the group, or rather a vast atoll, uniting three relatively large islands and about fifty small ones, also called Haapai, is famous for its ancient city of Pangai and the famous mutiny on the Bounty ship, which happened in its waters in 1789. James Cook used the islands as a holiday destination, stopping at Namuka in 1774 and 1777, and Lifuka in 1783. In 1995, the entire Ha'apai group was declared a protected area to protect fragile coral reef ecosystems.
Island Lifuka
It occupies the central part of the Haapai Atoll and is almost entirely occupied by agricultural land, surrounded by fantastically beautiful beaches. Swimming and snorkeling are especially good off the western shore, while the eastern shore is wild and constantly battered by ocean waves. At the southern tip of the island is the tomb of Oloweha (18th century) - a cult place for every islander, since Nanasipauu, a beloved heroine of local legends and a relative of the ruling royal family, is buried here. To the south lies the Ahau Bathing Well basin and the famous archaeological site of Lifuka, where Lapita pottery dating back to the 1st millennium BC was discovered. And in the sleepy capital of the island you can enjoy the leisurely pace of life, see the Shirley Baker monument and the Velata fortress.
Tofua
- one of the largest and most beautiful volcanoes in Tonga. A near-perfect volcanic cone rises above the idyllic waters of the sea at the western end of the Ha'apai group, home to the islands' finest kava and unique volcanic sand beaches. A characteristic feature of this island is a freshwater lake located in the central caldera almost at sea level. It was here that Captain Bligh and his companions hid in caves on the sheltered northwest coast, and it was here that one could see a small but very ancient rainforest, full of birds and giant ferns. And it is this area of land that is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the region - the last eruption was recorded here in May - June 2006.
Island Nomuka
It has always been famous among sailors as one of the most reliable sources of drinking water among the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean. Most of it is occupied by a brackish lake, surrounded by low hills. The island is ideal for hiking, but local villagers, due to an understandable shortage of land, are not very kind to trampling their crops, so most excursions here are carried out by sea.
30 km west of Nomuk is located Falcon submarine volcanic massif, which is one of the most active areas of the earth's crust on the planet. During its turbulent history, islands in this place rose from the abyss more than once, then disappeared just as without a trace. The last of these ghost islands, which by 1949 reached a length of 2 km at an altitude of 320 m above sea level, disappeared in just a week. However, even today in the clear local waters you can see several underwater calderas and still active fumaroles.
Lying 240 km north of Tongatapu, Vava'u Islands(Wavuka) consists of 50 densely forested atolls, about which locals say: "one hotel, one motel, one resort and four guests." And indeed, despite the beautiful shores and unique conditions for sea fishing and diving, these islands are little known to foreign tourists. At the same time, here you can find unique conditions for studying marine life - water transparency exceeds 30 meters all year round, and excellent dive sites stretch along the entire perimeter of the islands. You can also visit the royal residence of Fangatongo, Mount Talo Viewpoint or the lively and cheap Sailoame Market in Neiafu.
The large, calm lagoon formed by the islands of Hunga, Kalau and Fofoa resembles a huge volcanic lake and is one of the best marinas in the region. The cliffs on Hunga are an ideal place to watch the migrating pods of humpback whales (June to November). Further south, Foeata Atoll has superb white beaches and fantastic snorkeling conditions. On Nuapapu Atoll there is Mariners Cave, and on Cape there is Swellous Cave, inhabited by hundreds of swiftlets (Collocalia), which build nests under the arches of grottoes (this cave extends its base into the sea, and the transparency of the water here reaches a fantastic 50 m, so This place is very popular among divers).
North of the Vava'u group, approximately 510 km from Tongatapu, lie lost in the ocean Niua Islands(Niuas) - Niuatoputapu and Niuafoou (total area 18 sq. km). Even the locals know much less about this land than about New Zealand or England, these islands are so far from the world they are accustomed to. However, this piece of land is considered one of the last strongholds of “pure” Polynesian culture, where the most ancient skills and traditions of the “sea peoples” are still preserved. The locals are very friendly and welcoming, and the small size of the islands allows you to freely explore them on foot or in a light canoe. You can climb the perfect volcanic cone of Tafahi, tour around barren lava flows, swim in beautiful Lake Wai Lahi on Niuafo'u, visit Niuatoputapu's sleepy capital Hihio (Iaio) or relax on the islands' stunning white shores.
TONGATAPU
The main island of Tonga lies in the southern group of the same name, being at the same time the largest piece of land in the archipelago (area about 259 sq. km). This relatively flat coral island, whose height above sea level barely exceeds an average of 8 meters, rises on its southern side with coastal cliffs almost 20 meters high.
EUA
Eua Island, located 40 km south of Tongatapu, is a hilly and quite picturesque coral atoll crowning the top of an underwater volcano. The second largest in the Tongatapu group, the island is quite strikingly different from its northern neighbor - mountainous, with the largest areas of natural rainforest.
LIFUKA
Lifuka Island occupies the central part of Ha'apai Atoll and is almost entirely occupied by agricultural land, surrounded by fantastically beautiful beaches.
TOFUA
Tofua is one of the largest and most beautiful islands in Tonga. It is crowned by the very active volcano Lofia (518 m.)
KAO
The dormant volcano (cone-shaped) of Kao Island, west of Tofua, rises to a height of more than 1000 meters. The area of the island is only 12.4 square meters. km
NOMUKA
Nomuka Island has always been famous among sailors as one of the most reliable sources of drinking water among the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean. Most of it is occupied by a brackish lake, surrounded by low hills.
VAVAU GROUP
Lying 240 km north of Tongatapu, the Vava'u Islands (Vavuka) consist of 50 densely forested islands.
NIUA ISLANDS (NIUAS)
To the north of the Vava'u group, approximately 510 km from Tongatapu, lie the islands of Niua - Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'u, lost in the ocean.
Hotels reviews
During all four days of our stay on the island of Tongatapu in the Kingdom of Tonga, we managed to stay (overnight, because we were traveling for days) in two hotels, spend a whole day in another luxury resort (on the island of Fafa), and for a couple of minutes (to have lunch, take a break or take a dip in the ocean) check out several different classes of hotels. I'll start from the beginning.
What we saw in the first hours of our stay in the Kingdom of Tonga was alarming and frightening. Lord, what kind of hole will we live in?! But the LagoonLodge hotel pleased us. Moreover, no one expected this joy, as long as there were no living creatures in the rooms and that’s fine. But here, lo and behold!
Huge, spacious two-room suites with a kitchen and a huge loggia overlooking the lagoon. We learned about the lagoon in the morning when we went out onto the loggia, and late in the evening we simply felt its presence :)
The kitchen is equipped with a kettle and a gas stove. In fact, it was not a room, but a spacious two-room apartment. And FREE Internet, I could barely breathe, but it was there!!! A weak breakfast was brought directly to the room: cereal with milk, a gram of fruit (watermelon and papaya), two slices of toast bread (make your own toast - there is a toaster), butter (not butter, but a spread) and a couple of portioned jams. All. Coffee, tea - whatever you want, everything is in the room.
We completely devoted one of the days we spent in Tonga to relaxing on a luxury island hotel (I came up with this category of hotels myself :)) FafaIslandResortTonga. A chic, uncrowded island that can only be reached by yacht. By the way, the small island had snow-white sand and a complete absence of waves!
Required telephone numbers and addresses
Help numbers
Tongatapu Tourist Office - (+676) 25-334, Vava'u - (+676) 70-115, Ha'apai - (+676) 60-733.
Emergency services
Unified rescue service (fire, police and ambulance) - 911.
USEFUL ADDRESSES
BRITISH VISA CENTERS IN THE RF
British Visa Application Center in Moscow:
Straight Lane, 12, building 1.
BRITISH EMBASSY IN UKRAINE:
9 Desyatinna St, 01025, Kyiv, Ukraine
Phone: (+ 380 44) 462 0011
Fax: (+ 380 44) 462 0013
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You must have JavaScript enabled to view it. .u
THERE ARE NO EMBASSIES OF THE RF AND CIS COUNTRIES IN THE TERRITORY OF TONGA!
THE NEAREST REPRESENTATION OF THE RF IS LOCATED IN NEW ZEALAND
EMBASSY OF CHINA IN TONGA
Address: Vunaroad, Nuku`alofa, Kingdom of Tonga Vuna street, Nuku`alofa,
Kingdom of Tonga Post Office Box: P.O. box 877 P.O.
box 877
Country code (Tonga): 00676
Phone: 24554 Fax: 24595
Tongan cuisine
Plant Bases
Since ancient times, Tongan cuisine has been based mainly on plants grown by the people themselves: various coconuts, bananas, yams and taro. Seafood was also widely popular: fish wrapped in banana leaves and numerous shellfish were baked in special earthen ovens and eaten raw. In Tongan cuisine, only coconut milk was consumed as a drink. The Tongans also raised pigs, but only slaughtered them for holidays and on special occasions.
First Europeans
In the nineteenth century, the first Europeans appeared on the archipelago, bringing with them many new plants for these places. For example: lemons, oranges, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, onions, which were cultivated faster and easier than yams. Also, melons gradually appeared in Tongan cuisine, such as watermelon, which quickly entered the diet of the islanders; soft drinks began to be made from it: watermelon juice with the addition of other juices, such as coconut milk, mango, pineapple.
Healing drink Tonga - Kava
Tongan cuisine includes a unique healing drink called “kava”. This drink spread from Polynesia and is better known as a narcotic drink that is made from the roots of the lat plant. They treat diarrhea, headache, malarial hemoglobinuria, asthma, insomnia, indigestion, cancer, leprosy, tuberculosis and much more.
There is a legend in local mythology that explains the origin of the well-known drink in Tongan cuisine, kava. Chief Loau, when there was a famine in the country, visited his servant Fewa'anga with his wife Fefafa, this couple was located in the Eueiki archipelago. They had nothing to treat their guest and then they decided to kill their own daughter Kawa'onau (at that time she was suffering from an incurable disease) and prepare an exquisite dish from her for their host. However, the leader found out about this, flatly refused the dish and ordered their daughter to be buried in the garden. The servants had nothing to do but obey his order: the daughter’s head was buried under one tree, and her entrails under another. As a week passed, 2 different plants grew in the daughter’s burial places, and no one knew their names. Later, the plant that grew from the girl’s head was called “kava,” and the plant that grew from the insides was called “sugar cane.”
Earth oven
Tonga cuisine makes extensive use of an earthen oven, in which all sorts of dishes are baked: corned beef baked in taro leaves with coconut milk and onions, lamb baked with bananas in taro leaves, soup using coconuts and ripe bananas.
Tips
Tonga language
Official language: Tongan, English
Currency of Tonga
International name: TOP
Paanga is equal to 100 seniti.
There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 pa'anga, as well as coins in 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 seniti. New Zealand and Australian dollars are accepted almost everywhere.
Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and specialized exchange bureaus. Since exchange offices are quite rare, it is recommended to use exchange offices at Bank of Tonga offices, ports and the airport. Some hotels also provide currency exchange, but at lower rates than banks.
Credit cards on the larger islands can be used at most major retail outlets. On the outer islands, Visa and MasterCard are accepted as payment at some transport and travel agencies, hotels and large stores.
Travel checks can be cashed at banks, some hotels and large stores. It is recommended to take checks in US or Australian dollars with you; the rate for checks in pounds sterling is also stable.
Customs restrictions
The import and export of national or foreign currency in limited quantities is allowed into the country. The import of weapons, ammunition, pornography, drugs and narcotic medications into the territory of the state is prohibited. A special certificate is required when importing birds, animals, fruits and plants. The export of representatives of flora and fauna, some valuable handicraft items, as well as corals raised from the bottom of the sea is prohibited outside the country.
Mains voltage
220V
Tips
Tips and other additional fees vary greatly depending on the establishment, so it is better to negotiate them in advance. According to Polynesian tradition, tips are a gift and must be given, so many establishments do not have them at all. For the same reason, it is not accepted to bargain.
Purchases
Government tax of 5% is added on all non-hotel goods and services. There are duty-free shops in Tongatapu and Vava'u.
The usual opening hours of retail establishments are from Monday to Friday, from 08.00 to 17.00, on Saturdays - from 08.00 to 12.00, however, many private shops operate according to their own schedule.
Office hours
Banks are open Monday to Friday, from 09.00 to 16.00, major bank offices in Nuku'alofa and Neiafu are open on Saturdays, from 08.30 to 11.30.
Safety
It is not recommended to carry large amounts of cash with you. You should not display expensive dresses, jewelry or expensive photo or video equipment outside the relevant establishments. "Deals" offered by strangers on the street should be avoided at all costs. It is not recommended to use ATMs at night or exchange money with strangers.
Women traveling alone should expect increased attention from local men. This is usually expressed in various verbal comments and rarely turns into threatening forms, but ordinary caution obviously won’t hurt here.
Holidays
January 1 - New Year
early - mid April - Good Friday and Easter
April 25 - Soldier's Day
May 4th - Birthday of the Crown Prince, current King George TaufaahauTupou V
June 4 - Independence Day
July 4th - Birthday of King Tupou IV
November 4 - Constitution Day
December 4 - First King's Day, Tupou I
December 25 - Christmas
December 26 - Boxing Day
Transport
There are no railways. The length of the roads is 680 km.
Foreign trade Industrial crops, copra, bananas and citrus fruits, the famous Tongan watermelons, and fish are exported. Imports consist of industrial goods, fuel and non-Tonga food products. Main foreign trade partners: Japan, China, New Zealand.
The shops
Government tax of 5% is added on all non-hotel goods and services. There are duty-free shops in Tongatapu and Vava'u. The usual opening hours of retail establishments are from Monday to Friday, from 08.00 to 17.00, on Saturdays - from 08.00 to 12.00, however, many private shops operate according to their own schedule. Service in the islands' restaurants and shops is rather leisurely, but the staff is polite and friendly.
The Tonga Archipelago is a collection of volcanic and coral islands (171 in total) in the Pacific Ocean. Not everything is calm in the last monarchy of Polynesia located here, and even the current heir to the throne refused the coronation. Tonga is one of the few tropical places on the globe that have partially preserved its originality since the times of the great navigators.
That's the myth. If you follow the scientific version, most of the Tongan islands are of volcanic origin. Moreover, they still continue to appear from the depths of the Pacific Ocean - the latter arose as a result of the 1979 eruption.
The first people appeared in Tonga in the 5th century. Scientists are still arguing where they came from - from Asia or from America. But no matter where they came from, they have lived here ever since, in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. The archipelago consists of three groups of islands: Tongatapu, Vava'u and Ha'apai, as well as several dozen small islands. For thirty years, two artificial islands also belonged to Tongan territory. The fact is that in 1972, near the Tonga Islands, the Americans built underwater atolls, proclaimed the Republic of Minerva. However, King Taufaahau Tupou IV stated that Minerva Atoll was a traditional fishing ground for the Tongan people, and sent his fleet to the islands. The newly formed republic ceased to exist, and only in October 2003 did Minerva regain the status of an independent state.
In spring, in October
The Kingdom of Tonga is the first on the globe to greet the new day, because the 180th meridian passes near this ancient archipelago. The Tongan Islands are especially beautiful in October, when spring is in full swing in the southern hemisphere. At this time, trees and shrubs bloom, and the air is filled with their fragrance, mixed with the salty ocean breeze. Everywhere there are flat crowns of trees strewn with red buds, thickets of oleander and white-yellow frangipani, hibiscus and bright pink bougainvillea. In addition, the period from May to October is the whale migration season. Female whales come to the shores of Tonga to give birth to their young. And this kingdom is the only one in the world where people are still allowed to go out of boats into the ocean and swim next to whales. However, recently restrictions have been introduced on this profitable type of tourism in order to reduce the disturbance of the majestic rare animals.
The capital of the kingdom of Nuku'alofa is located on the flat, flat island of Tongatapu. Two official languages are spoken here - English and Tongan. The asphalt road leads past villages with one-story houses, against the walls of which firewood and coconuts are piled, countless plantations of coconut palms, bananas and pineapples, as well as fields of taro, yams and cassava. These root vegetables taste like potatoes and are sold in huge baskets at local markets. Many fruit trees grow unattended along roads and paths: breadfruit, mango, papaya and avocado are everywhere here, as are coconuts. You should beware of the latter and look up more often - head injuries from falling coconuts are far from rare.
The capital is small: the city center can be walked in about thirty minutes. Black pigs and chickens roam near white European-looking buildings. On the main street there are embassies of different countries, the house of the Prime Minister, offices, supermarkets, restaurants, Chinese shops and several churches. Tonga has an impressive number of Christian churches: Pentecostals, Mormons, Jehovah's servants, Seventh-day Adventists and others. The Polynesians sing in them soulfully, with wonderful voices - local residents learn to sing from childhood, in every school. However, a foreigner needs to get used to the church choir and the ringing of bells that echo across the islands from dawn.
Christianity was preached in Tonga by missionaries who sailed here at the beginning of the 19th century. Religion is taken very seriously here: most schools and universities belong to a church, and religious provisions are included in the country's constitution. For example, anyone who works on Sunday can still be fined and even imprisoned for several months. On this day you cannot do household chores or sports, or fish - all residents must go to church or relax, that is, sleep. Most locals happily adhere to this law, picnicking with entire families along the road near the coast. But swimming on Sunday is also not allowed, although tourists are usually not paid attention to. However, visitors should keep in mind that on Sundays the already leisurely street life stops altogether: there is nowhere to buy water or food, and hardly anyone will be lucky enough to go sightseeing - after all, this is also work.
The Aborigines did not eat Cook
Europeans learned about the existence of Tonga in 1616, after a visit to the islands by Dutch explorers Schouten (Willem Cornelis Schouten, 1567?-1625) and Lemer (Jacob Le Maire, 1585–1616). In 1777, James Cook's ship dropped anchor off the Tongan coast. Here he was given the most cordial welcome, so that the captain called Tonga “the islands of Friendship.” Since then, the attitude of the islanders towards overseas guests has not changed: they are still greeted here with smiles, flowers and songs.
Ancient crafts have also been preserved in Tonga: locals make tapa (Polynesian bast material) and various items woven from dried pandanus leaves. Moreover, they do this not so much for tourists, but still for their own needs. For example, tapa is used as a material for awnings, bedspreads and rugs, and taowala, a woven skirt-mat, is an important attribute of national clothing. Women and men wrap themselves in it on ceremonial or official occasions. This custom appeared hundreds of years ago: when men returned home from sea voyages, before going ashore, they cut the sail and covered their nakedness as a sign of respect to the leader.
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Among the waters of the vast Pacific Ocean lies the island Kingdom of Tonga. It is located in the southern part, which is where it got its name “South”. Although the inhabitants of the kingdom themselves call it “Gardens”. The article will discuss holidays in Tonga 2019, prices, accommodation, attractions, entertainment, shopping.
Tonga
Nuku'alofa is the largest city in this state and is also its capital. He reigns on the island of Tongatapu. In addition to this unique place, guests of the country come to relax on the islands of Vava'u, Haalai and the island of Eua.
While traveling in Tonga, tourists will hear two languages at once: Tongan and English. At the same time, most of the population speaks their native language. The islands are inhabited not only by indigenous people, but also by people from Europe, China, India and Fiji.
Island In the 13th century BC. Polynesians began to explore the islands, and in the 10th century AD. a kingdom was formed. A throne that was inherited from generation to generation. From 1200 to 1851, Mua was considered the main city of the state; in our time, it is a place for archaeological excavations.
The women of the kingdom have more rights than men, but men are always placed on the throne. Tongan culture is all about dancing. They are performed by men. During the dance, more attention is paid to hand movements.
Tonga on the map:
Climate of Tonga
The very location of the kingdom of Tonga speaks volumes about its climatic conditions. The year here is divided into two seasons:
- Dry season. At this time, the air temperature warms up to +23 degrees. This period lasts all summer from May to October.
- The rainy season falls in winter from November to April. But what is most interesting is that during this period the air becomes even warmer. The temperature reaches +26 degrees.
Whales off Tonga The nature of Tonga is incredibly beautiful. The islands are surrounded by coral reefs. A large number of marine inhabitants have chosen their place of residence nearby. This is probably where the plot of Walt Disney’s children’s cartoon “The Little Mermaid” was taken. During the mating season, humpback whales swim to the shores of the Tonga Islands. And then you can watch their games.
All the islands are covered with greenery. But, unfortunately, from the animal world you can only find turtles, bats and a large number of bird species. The terrain of the islands is volcanic, and eruptions occur quite often.
How to get there?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to reach the Kingdom of Tonga directly. You need to make a transfer in Southeast Asia, Australia or New Zealand. Only from there planes fly direct to Fuaamotu Airport. It is located 35 km from the capital. There is a $14 fee.
You can get from one island to another only by air or water. Air transport is operated by Chathams Pacific and departs from Tongatapu Airport. Flights operate only twice a day. Sunday is declared a day off. The same is true for ferries that depart from Queen Salote Wharf in Nuku'alofa.
Means of transportation between islands Taxis on the water have been created for tourists, the fare for which reaches $145 per passenger. The price depends on the distance. Long excursions are also organized from 10.00 to 16.00, the cost of which is 160 dollars per person. As well as Half Day tours (until 13:00), a ticket for this trip costs $130.
It is best to travel within the city by taxi, since city transport runs irregularly, without connection with the schedule, or there is no schedule at all. Taxi fare is 5 – 6 dollars.
Tonga Hotels
Since not a large number of guests come to this little paradise, it is quite easy to accommodate them. This could be a hotel suite, a small chalet located on the ocean, or a guest house. It all depends on the wishes of the tourist. More hotels on the islands of Tongatapu, Vava'u and Ha'apai.
House by the ocean The minimum cost of living in a room is $130, in hotels with improved quality of service - $160-500. Rent a separate bungalow will cost $200. In addition, tourists must pay a tax of 7.5% of the amount for accommodation.
Tongan cuisine
The cuisine in Tonga is different: Chinese, Japanese, Latin American. But at the same time you can try traditional Tongan dishes. The main ingredients of these dishes are:
- pork;
- cassava;
- tarot
People still cook here according to the recipes of ancient ancestors. Particularly recommended dishes are tuna cauldron, lu pul, wai siaine, haka talo, mahi mahi. I also serve flatbreads made from breadfruit flour. Salads are prepared from the same products.
On the islands they like to eat fish baked; shellfish are eaten raw for dessert. Pork meat is served here only on holidays; chickens are also eaten here. The cheapest meat product in Tonga is sheep meat. It is imported from New Zealand and kept frozen.
Tongan cuisine Main dishes
Lū is lea faka – This dish is cooked with taro leaves and the recipe includes finely chopped meat, onions and coconut milk. The minced meat is wrapped in taro and baked in the oven. This dish has different fillings, due to which its name changes:
- Lū pulu – the dish is based on beef;
- Lū sipi – prepared from lamb;
- Lū moa – add chicken;
- Lū hoosi – based on pork.
Ota ika is another traditional dish. It is prepared from marinated fish. The marinade is formed from lime and kept until it has a homogeneous consistency and structure without transparency. Then the fillet is poured with coconut milk and chopped vegetables are added. This dish has different variations.
- based on mussels;
- shrimp are also used for cooking;
- Crabs are great;
- lobsters will add piquancy;
- Octopus or squid are also used;
- you can use sea urchins;
- The eel dish is also delicious.
For dessert, Faikakai topai is a dumpling made from water and flour, served with coconut syrup. This dessert can be served with bananas, cassava, taro, bread.
Tongan dessert The preferred drinks on the island are soda water, tea and coffee. They are served with condensed milk. But the most popular is Otay. This drink is made from watermelon pulp and coconut milk. It is also created in different versions. These can be mango, pineapple, coconut pulp, Malay apples and ambarella.
Alcohol is sold on the island only with a special permit, which also indicates the quantity of the drink.
In most cases, these are imported beers from Australia and New Zealand. At home, alcoholic drinks are made from water, sugar, fruit pulp and yeast. But this activity is strictly prohibited here and if done, it is done in secret.
Shopping in Tonga
As souvenirs from the islands, you can bring home earrings, beads, bracelets and rings made of ivory, wicker and woven items, musical instruments made from sea shells, Chinese fans, combs and combs made of sandalwood. It should be remembered that products made from corals can be exported from the country only in limited quantities.
Shopping can be done on Saturday at the Talamahu Market. But it should be remembered that bargaining is not appropriate here. Shopping trips are made throughout the week from 9.00 to 17.00. on Saturday they are only open until noon. And Sunday is a day off everywhere.
Attractions and entertainment
The main attractions of Tonga are the city of Mua, which became the site of excavations and the trilithal Haamonga-a-Maui (“The Burden of God Maui”), which weighs 12 tons. The next place to visit for tourists is the palace of the royal family. But, unfortunately, entry there is strictly prohibited. By the way, you can read about various world attractions to which access is limited.
Much attention is paid to churches and the national Museum. There is also its own Botanical Garden.
Eua Island
The island is completely unique. A bird sanctuary was created on its territory, where rare bird species are found. It is recommended to include this place in your Tonga excursion program. Rainforests and cliffs created a beautiful landscape. Eua Island is suitable for activities such as rock climbing and trekking. You can visit caves and karst wells. Beach lovers should visit Tufuvai. It would seem that such a small area for an island, but it contains so many interesting activities for every taste.
coral reefs Khao Island
Kao is called a volcano island. This is where the highest point of the country is located. The island itself has a cone-like shape. There is a lake inside the crater, and the entire surface of the land is covered with ferns.
Vava'u Group
The Vava'u group consists of 50 different islands on which a large number of trees grow. Here you can visit the lagoon; it was created from the formation of several islands and is more like a lake. Divers will be delighted that the water is clear, the depth reaches up to 50 meters. Ordinary swimmers will appreciate this achievement of nature.
Only on the Tonga Islands can you feel the full thrill of swimming. Because here you can swim with whales, look at sunken ships, and see underwater tunnels created as a result of volcanic eruptions. In addition, you can take part in traditional celebrations.
What else can you tell about holidays in Tonga?
To visit this paradise on the planet you do not need a visa. It is issued directly in Tonga itself. But to guarantee receipt of the document, it is necessary that the validity of the foreign passport expires in at least six months. In this case, you need to have a return ticket with you.
When visiting the kingdom, tourists can carry cameras or video cameras with them, as the indigenous people love to pose.
On the islands, electricity is turned on at a certain time, but if you spend your holidays at large tourist spots, then you can have constant access to a power source.
It is prohibited to export souvenirs made from an endangered species of coral from the island, and you cannot import drugs, Asian products, or plant seeds.
Communications in Tonga
You can contact your family in Tonga using pay phones. At the same time, the connection here is surprisingly good. There is also mobile communication here, but unfortunately it is not yet very developed. The connection is provided by two companies, onga Communications Corporation and Digicel Tonga (Digicel). Tariff plans include $0.9 per call and $0.25 per SMS.
You can access the Internet through SIM cards of local telecom operators and through services in hotels in the country. In addition, there are Internet cafes in the cities of Nuku'alofa and Neiafu.
Safety
To avoid getting into trouble while traveling around the outskirts of the kingdom, you need to be careful. Do not take large sums of money with you; women are advised to dress as modestly as possible. Tonga is not a safe country, so please follow the advice and recommendations.
When visiting the Kingdom of Tonga, you will definitely find something to your liking. Clean air, beautiful nature, lots of entertainment, beaches, caves, what else do you need for a great holiday? Coming to Tonga, you will not regret it!
You can admire Tonga from the air in the video:
Tonga(Tong. Tonga, English Tonga), official name Kingdom of Tonga (Tong. Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga, English Kingdom of Tonga) is a Pacific state in Polynesia. It borders in the north with the territorial waters of Samoa, in the east with the territorial waters of Niue, and in the west with the waters of Fiji. The length of the coastal strip is 419 km. Tonga is located on 172 islands of the archipelago of the same name. The total land area is 748 km². The country's population is 119,009 people. (2008, evaluation). The capital is Nuku'alofa.
The Tonga Islands were discovered by Dutch navigators Willem Schouten and Jacob Lemaire in 1616. In 1900, the archipelago became a British protected state. The islands gained independence in 1970. Tonga is a member of the UN, the South Pacific Commission and the Pacific Islands Forum.
Name
Translated from many Polynesian languages, the word Tonga means “south”. The archipelago probably received this name because of its location south of the Samoan islands, from where Polynesia, including the Tongan islands, was colonized. However, Tongans translate the name of their country as “garden”.
The English traveler James Cook named the archipelago the “Friendly Islands” in 1773.
Physiographic characteristics
The Polynesian state of Tonga is a cluster of volcanic and coral islands located in the South Pacific Ocean. The country's capital, Nuku'alofa, is located approximately 1,770 km northeast of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, and approximately 690 km southeast of Suva, the capital of Fiji. The closest archipelagos are the Fiji Islands, which belong to the state of the same name and are located northwest of the Tonga Islands, and the Samoa Archipelago, which lies to the northeast and belongs to Samoa and American (Eastern) Samoa.
The total area of Tonga is about 748 km². Of these, land is 718 km², water surface is 30 km². The country is located on 172 islands, of which only 36 are inhabited (the area of the inhabited islands is about 670 km²). The largest island groups that make up the Kingdom are the islands of Vava'u, Tongatapu and Ha'apai. A minor group, the Niuas Islands, consists of three small islands, Niuafo'u, Tafahi and Niuatoputapu, which are the country's northernmost islands. The group is located far from the rest of the archipelagos: the island of Niuatoputapu is located about 300 km north of the nearest island group, Vava'u. The Tonga archipelago extends from north-northeast to south-southeast for approximately 631 km, and from east-southeast to west-northwest for approximately 209 km. The most important islands are Tongatapu (on which the capital is located), Vava'u, Niuatoputapu, Niuafo'u, Tafahi, Haapai and Eua. The highest point of the country, which reaches 1033 m, is located on Khao Island.
The northernmost island of the Kingdom of Tonga is Niuafo'u Island, the easternmost is Tafahi. The southernmost and at the same time the westernmost island is Ata Island.
On January 24, 1972, Tonga laid claim to the Minerva Reefs, located south of the kingdom, and annexed them on June 15. As a result, the country's territorial waters were significantly expanded. This move was subsequently recognized by the South Pacific Forum. However, the ownership of the reefs is still disputed by Fiji.
Geology
The Tonga Archipelago is located on the boundary of the Pacific and Australian lithospheric plates, west of the deep-sea Tonga Trench and is a collection of volcanic, uplifted coral islands and reefs located on the tops of two parallel underwater ridges. The oldest rock samples discovered on the island of Eua date back to the Eocene era. However, this does not indicate that the island always rose above the surface of the ocean. On the contrary, it was under water for many years. The exact time of existence of the Tonga Islands is unknown. However, it is likely that such “ancient” islands as Eua appeared approximately 5 million years ago or less (during the Pliocene-Pleistocene era). It can also be assumed that some islands appeared in the late Miocene or even Neogene.
The volcanic islands include the islands of Ata, Hunga Ha'apai, Hunga Tonga, Kao and Tofua in the Ha'apai group; Late and Fonualei in the Vava'u group and two islands in the Niuas group. They formed on a volcanic arc stretching from the south (Ata Island) to the southeast and to the north and northwest. Within this arc, active geological processes have been observed in recent years, which were accompanied by either the formation (as a result of volcanic eruptions) or the submergence of individual islands.
Some islands in the archipelago are surrounded by barrier and fringing reefs, such as the Niuas Islands. The Vava'u group is predominantly composed of elevated volcanic or uplifted limestone islands, also surrounded by reefs. The Ha'apai group consists primarily of high volcanic or low-lying limestone islands. The islands of Tongatapu and Eua are of limestone origin. Tongatapu Island is characterized by flat terrain: a few hills reach a height of about 30 m. The coral base of the island is covered with volcanic ash up to 3 m deep.
Over the past two hundred years, more than 35 volcanic eruptions have been recorded on the islands. One of the largest volcanoes in Tonga, 515 m high, is located on the island of Tofua, which is the top of an underwater stratovolcano. The width of the volcano's caldera is 5 km, and there is also a caldera freshwater lake on it. The last recorded eruption occurred in 1960. The country's highest volcano is located on Khao Island: it rises 1030 m above sea level. Other large volcanoes are located on the islands of Fonualei, Lata, and Niuafo'ou. Continued high volcanic activity in the region is often accompanied by the formation of small ephemeral islands. This was the case, for example, with Home Reef, when a small island was formed after an eruption in 2006, and with Metis Reef, when an island with a diameter of 280 m and a height of 43 m was formed after an eruption in 1995.
Of particular interest to researchers are the huge erratic boulders on the west coast of Tongatapu Island, which may be evidence of a tsunami caused by volcanic activity. It is quite possible that this tsunami was the most powerful of all those for which evidence has been discovered by scientists. According to local legends, these boulders were thrown by the god Maui, who tried to kill with them a huge bird that fed on people. A total of seven such coral boulders were found, reaching a height of 9 m, a mass of 1.6 million kg and located 100-400 m from the coast.
There are no large mineral deposits on the Tonga Islands. Sand and limestone are mined in small quantities (on Tongatapu and Vava'u). However, in 2008, large deposits of zinc, copper, silver and gold were found in the country's territorial waters.
Climate
Tonga's climate is hot, tropical, influenced by the southeast trade winds. Precipitation patterns are largely associated with the South Pacific Convergence Zone. There are two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The wet season, also known as the cyclone season, lasts from November to April, while the dry season lasts from May to October. The wettest months of the year are January, February and March, each of which can receive up to 250 mm of rain. The average annual precipitation varies significantly from year to year: abnormally rainy or, conversely, dry months often occur. The main cause of variations is the El Niño phenomenon and tropical cyclones. During El Niño, the islands experience prolonged droughts, and during cyclones, heavy rains. In different parts of the country, the average annual precipitation also varies: the most precipitation falls on the northern islands - about 2500 mm per year (this is caused by the seasonal proximity of the South Pacific Convergence Zone), the least - on the southern islands (about 1700 mm per year). In the capital of the state, the city of Nuku'alofa, about 1733 mm falls per year, in Lifuka - about 1689 mm, in Neiafu - 2185 mm. Since 1970, the trend for the islands in central and southern Tonga has been to decrease rainfall.
The country's average annual temperature ranges from 26°C in Niuafo'ou to 23°C in Tongatapu. During the hot, rainy months (November–April), temperatures on the islands usually range between 25–26°C, and during the cool, dry months (May–October) between 21–24°C. At the same time, on the northern islands of the archipelago the temperature difference is, as a rule, less than on the southern ones. The maximum temperature recorded in Vava'u on February 11, 1979 was +35 °C, the minimum recorded on September 8, 1994 in Fuamotu was +8.7 °C. The predominant winds are south-easterly, blowing from May to October. During the cyclone season (November-March), trade winds dominate.
Tonga is subject to the negative effects of tropical cyclones, which often reach destructive power. On average, at least one cyclone is recorded annually in the country. (usually one or two), most of which are confined to the rainy season. The largest number of cyclones is usually recorded in February.
Soils
The soils of most of the islands (except for young volcanoes) are characterized by high fertility. They were formed mainly from andesitic volcanic ash, the layer of which lies on a coral platform of limestone origin. These soils have excellent physical properties: they are crumbly, well structured, have good drainage and moderate water holding capacity. Soil types range from acidic to alkaline with high calcium and magnesium content, high cation exchange capacity and base saturation.
The soils of Tongatapu Island are highly fertile and therefore suitable for both growing crops and organizing pastures. In some coastal areas, soils are susceptible to salinity. The soils of Eua Island are formed from andesitic tephra, which lies on top of tuff material and/or coral formations. They are mostly fertile, except in the southern regions of the island, where coral rocks are exposed on the surface. The islands of the Ha'apai group are predominantly of coral origin. Soil erosion is a serious problem, which significantly reduces the fertility of local soils. The soils of the Vava'u Group are formed mainly from volcanic ash up to 9 m thick, which lies on top of coralline limestone.
Hydrology
The archipelago has a limited number of permanent fresh water sources. Since water does not stay long in the soil due to its porosity, residents mostly use either rainwater collected in concrete cisterns from rooftops or water from small wells that allow access to small lenses of slightly brackish water. Most of the aquifers, small lakes and streams of water are located on volcanic islands.
Lakes can be found on the islands of Vava'u, Niuafo'u, Nomuka; small rivers - on Eua and Niuatoputapu.
Flora and fauna
The coral islands of Tonga are covered with lowland tropical forests dominated by Calophylla. However, in the past, a significant part of the primary forests was cleared for agricultural purposes, so now part of these areas are covered with secondary vegetation with a predominance of thickets of lantana and psidium, as well as meadows of sorghum and millet. Barringtonia and scaevola grow in the coastal areas of the islands. The area of the volcanic craters is dominated by herbaceous plants, and on the tops of the Kao and Tafahi volcanoes there are cloudy tropical forests, or nephelogiles. Vast tropical forests are preserved only on uninhabited and volcanic islands with steep cliffs.
In total, about 770 species of vascular plants have been recorded in Tonga, including 70 species of ferns (three of which are endemic, including Dryopteris macroptera and Cyathea rugosula), three species of gymnosperms (of which one species, Podocarpus pallidus, is endemic) and 698 species of angiosperms (of which nine are endemic). Species diversity varies across the islands. For example, about 340 plant species grow on the island of Tongatapu, and 107 species on Vava'u.
The country's fauna is extremely poor and is represented mainly by introduced species. The archipelago is home to 12 species of reptiles (one species is endemic) and 2 species of bats, which are the only native mammals of the islands. Sea turtles, shellfish, and fish live in coastal waters.
A large number of birds live and nest in the archipelago. Moreover, before the settlement of the islands by Polynesians, the world of avifauna was much more diverse: with the advent of people in Tonga, at least 23 species of birds disappeared. A total of 73 bird species have been recorded in the archipelago, 2 of which are endemic: Pachycephala jacquinoti, found on the Vava'u Islands, and Megapodius pritchardii, found on the island of Niuafo'u. On some islands there are bird colonies where seabirds nest.
Tonga has two national parks (on the island of Eua and Mount Talau on the island of Vava'u) and six nature reserves.
Administrative division
Administratively, the Kingdom of Tonga is divided into five administrative districts: Vava'u, Niuas, Tongatapu, Haapai and Eua. The districts, in turn, are divided into districts and villages.
Vava'u District includes the 6 districts of Neiafu, Leimatua, Hahake, Pangaimothu, Hihifo and Motu. Niuas District includes 2 districts: Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou. Tongatapu District consists of 7 districts: Kolofoou, Kolomotua, Waini, Tatakamotonga, Lapaha, Nukunuku and Kolovai. The Ha'apai district consists of 6 districts: Lifuka, Foa, Wiha, Lulunga, Kauwai-Haano and Muomua. The Eua district consists of 2 districts: Eua-Motua and Eua-Fou.
Population
National censuses have been conducted in Tonga on a regular basis since 1921. However, there are also statistics obtained from even earlier years (for example, in 1891). Since 1956, a population census has been conducted every ten years (the last one took place in 2006).
According to the latest census in 2006 (data from the Tonga Department of Statistics), the country's population was 101,991. By 2008, the CIA estimated that figure had increased to 119,009. Tonga's population growth rate is relatively low compared to other Oceanian countries: 1.669% according to a 2008 estimate. The 2006 census showed an increase in population by 4.3% compared to the 1996 census data, that is, by 4,207 people (with an annual increase of 0.4%).
For statistical purposes, Tonga is divided into five districts: Tongatapu, Vava'u, Haapai, Eua and Niuas. In 2006, the most populous region was Tongatapu, with a population of 72,045 (70.6%). There were 15,505 people (15.2%) in Vava'u, 7,570 people (7.4%) in Haapai, 5,026 people in Eua (4.9%), and 1,665 people in Niuas (1.9%). The highest population growth was recorded in Tongatapu (8% since 1996) and Eua (6%). Other islands experienced population declines: Vava'u by 1%, Ha'apai by 7%, and Niuas by 19%. One of the main reasons for the low figures is the emigration of the population either to the islands of Tongatapu and Eua or abroad.
There are large diasporas of people from Tonga in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. In 2001, there were 40,700 Tongans registered in New Zealand (about 18% of the number of Oceanian peoples living in New Zealand). The majority (78%) lived in Auckland, 5% in Wellington. There were 7,580 Tongans registered in Australia in 2006 (7,720 people in 2001), most of whom lived in the states of New South Wales (4,920 people, or 65%) and Victoria (1,190 people, or 15.7%). In addition, there is a large diaspora in the United States: in 2000 - 27,686 people, or 7.3% of the number of Oceanian peoples living in the States. The main places of settlement are the states of Utah, California and Hawaii.
The census also showed that in the Tongatapu region, population grew in all areas except Lapaha, which experienced a 2% population decline. The highest increase was observed in the Vaini district - by 12%. In the Vava'u region, the population increased most in the Pangaimothu region, by 8%, while declines were recorded in the Motu (43%) and Hihifo (5%) districts. In the Ha'apai region, population fell in all areas except Foa (up 3%). In Eua, two areas experienced population growth, while in Niuas, on the contrary, a decline was observed.
The highest population density in 2006 was recorded on the island of Tongatapu - 277 people per km², while the national figure was 157 people per km² (the lowest density was on the Niuas Islands, 23 people per km²). Compared to the 1996 census, population density has decreased on the islands of Vava'u, Haapai and Niuas, and increased on the islands of Tongatapu and Eua.
In 2006, the proportion of the Kingdom of Tonga's urban population was just over 23% (or 23,658 people). They all lived in the urban settlements of Kolofoou, Kolomotua and Maufanga on the island of Tongatapu. In 1996, the urban population was 22,400. Thus, over ten years this figure increased by 5.6%.
In 2006, men made up 50.8% (51,772 people), women - 49.2% (50,219 people). The share of children under 15 years of age in 2008 was 33.7%, of adults from 15 to 59 years of age - 62%, over 65 years of age - 4.3%, so the average age of the population was 21.8 years. The average life expectancy for men, according to a 2008 estimate, is 67.9 years, for women - 73.1 years.
Ethnic composition
The population of Tonga is homogeneous: according to the 2006 census, almost 97% of the inhabitants were Tongans, representatives of the indigenous Polynesian people, 1.6% were representatives of mixed marriages of Tongans and other peoples. The proportion of foreigners (Europeans, people from other Pacific Islands and Asians) is minimal. Compared to 1996, there was an increase in the number of Chinese, Indians, and Fijians.
In 2006, the number of Chinese in Tonga was 395 people, while in 1996 only 55 representatives of this people lived in the country. The first ethnic Chinese appeared on the archipelago back in the 1920s as Anglican priests, and in 1974 the first Taiwanese businessman appeared in Tonga. The significant growth of the Chinese population in the Kingdom in the last decade of the 20th century was largely due to the fact that in the 1990s the Tongan government sold its country's passports to the Chinese and Hong Kong residents, thereby earning significant sums. Passports were mainly purchased by Chinese nationalists. As a result, by 2001, in the capital, Nuku'alofa, there were about 120 stores owned by immigrants from China. However, the influx of Chinese immigrants is causing resentment among the local population, who fear their economic dominance. In addition, unemployment among Tongans has increased. In 1999, the Tongan Chinese Association recorded 40 cases of harassment of Chinese businessmen, including attacks. In 2000, Nukunuku County authorities banned all Chinese stores. In 2001, about 100 racially motivated attacks were registered in the country, organized by Tongans against the Chinese. Rising tensions even forced Tonga's Prime Minister, Prince Ulakalala Lawaka Ata, to refuse to renew 600 Chinese workers' permits. They were also ordered to leave the country within 12 months. In 2006, another riot took place in Nuku'alofa, organized against Chinese entrepreneurs. This led to the further emigration of several hundred more Chinese. Despite the poor attitude of the local population, Tonga is still home to a significant number of Chinese, most of whom have no intention of leaving their businesses in the archipelago.
Language
In addition to English, the country's official language is Tongan, one of the many languages of the Polynesian group of Austronesian languages, along with Hawaiian, Maori, Samoan, Tahitian and others. Together with the Niuean language, the Tongan language forms the Tongan subgroup of the Polynesian group of languages. The written language was created in the first half of the 19th century by European missionaries. The total number of Tongan speakers in 1998 was 96,334.
The language uses the Latin alphabet. It consists of only 16 letters: 5 vowels and 11 consonants. The length of vowel sounds plays a big role in oral speech, which can change the meaning of a word. In writing, longitude is indicated by a macron, or toloi (for example, “ā”), and the glottal stop, or voiceless guttural plosive consonant, is indicated by an apostrophe (“ʻ”).
The country also has speakers of another Pacific language, Niuafo'ou, which was spoken by 690 people in 1981 (used on the islands of Niuafo'ou and Eua). Until the 19th century, the island of Niuatoputapu also had its own local language, but after annexation by George Tupou I in June 1862, it was completely replaced by the Tongan language.
According to a 1998 estimate, 98.9% of the country's population could read and write Tongan or English.
Religious composition
The dominant religion on the Tongan Islands is Christianity. The first attempt by Christian missionaries to land on the archipelago was carried out by missionaries from the London Missionary Society in 1797. However, she was unsuccessful. The first permanent Christian mission was established in the Tonga Islands only in 1826.
According to the 2006 census, the majority of Tongans (38,052 people, or 37.3%) were members of the Free Wesleyan Church. 15.6% were Roman Catholic, 16.8% Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11.4% Free Church of Tonga, 7.1% Church of Tonga. Church of Tonga), 2.5% - Tokaikolo Christian Church, 2.2% - Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2.3% - Assemblies of God, 0.9% - Constitutional Church of Tonga (Eng. Constitutional Church of Tonga), 0.8% - the Anglican Church, 1.3% - other Christian teachings and religions. However, only 28 people said that they were atheists, and 1,509 people refused to say about their religious affiliation. Although the Free Wesleyan Church remains the dominant church in Tonga, recent censuses have seen a decline in its adherents, as have the Roman Catholic Church, Free Church of Tonga, Church of Tonga, Tokaikolo Christian Church, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The share of adherents of other teachings and religions, on the contrary, has increased (the most significant growth is for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has overtaken the Roman Catholic Church).
The Free Wesleyan Church (Tong. Siasi Uesiliana Tau'ataina 'o Tonga) is the largest Christian (Methodist) church in the Kingdom of Tonga, whose permanent members are representatives of the royal family. The church was formed in 1924 with the consent of Queen Salote Tupou III as a result of the unification of two branches of the Methodist movement - the Free Church of Tonga (established in 1885 by order of King George Tupou I) and the Wesleyans.
The first Catholic missionaries landed on the Tonga Islands in 1837, but permission to establish a permanent mission was not received until 1842. The existing Catholic society at that time was subordinate to the Apostolic Vicariate of Central Oceania, which was created on August 23, 1842. The Apostolic Vicariate of Tonga was established only on April 13, 1937. On June 21, 1966, an independent diocese was created on the archipelago.
The first representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived in Tonga in 1891, but the mission was closed six years later. It was restored only in 1916. Currently, this is one of the most dynamically developing religious movements in the Kingdom. Tonga has the highest proportion of religious adherents in the world relative to the country's population, with 54,281 members, according to Church data. However, according to official data from the 2006 census, there are 17,109 followers of this religion living in the Kingdom. On the main island of Tonga, Tongatapu, is the only temple of a religious organization in the country.
The country's constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
Political structure
Tonga is a hereditary constitutional monarchy. The country's current Constitution was granted by King George Tupou I on November 4, 1875. Its appearance was an important stage in the state development of the Kingdom and the culmination of the political activities of Tupou I to modernize Tongan society and ensure internal stability and unity of the country. Thanks in part to the Constitution, the Kingdom remained the only independent island state in Oceania throughout the 19th century.
The Tongan Constitution consists of 3 sections and 115 articles and is one of the “hard” constitutions, that is, in order to change it, a number of conditions must be met. The Legislative Assembly has the right to amend the fundamental law of the country. To do this, the amendment must go through three readings in the assembly and then be submitted to the king for consideration. If the Tongan Privy Council and the Cabinet unanimously support a constitutional amendment, it must be approved by the king. Once signed by the king, the amendment comes into force. However, the articles on the “law of liberty” (meaning the “Declaration of Rights” with which the Constitution begins), the principle of succession to the throne and the titles/hereditary estates of local peers are not subject to change.
Tonga is currently undergoing gradual political reform. Especially for these purposes, a Constitutional and Electoral Commission consisting of 5 people was created in 2008, the main purpose of which is to develop proposals for amending the sections of the Constitution devoted to the executive and electoral powers, the principles of the relationship between them, as well as changes to the electoral law of Tonga .
Monarch
The head of state is the king (since September 11, 2006 - George Tupou V). The principle of succession to the throne is enshrined in Article 32 of the current Constitution. The heir to the throne must be born in marriage. The throne is transferred to the eldest son, and in case of death - to his heirs. If the eldest son has no children, then the throne is passed on to the second eldest son (that is, the younger brother of the eldest son) or his heirs, and so on in the male line. If the male line in the royal family is interrupted, then the throne is inherited by the eldest daughter and her heirs (and further on the same principle as in the male line). If there are no heirs left in the female line, then the throne is transferred to the descendants and legal heirs of William Tunga (former governor of Vava'u, prince consort and prime minister of Tonga). If there are no legal heirs along this line, then the king can independently (with the approval of the House of Peers) appoint his heir during his lifetime. If this has not been done, then the Prime Minister or the Cabinet in his absence is obliged to convene the peers of the Legislative Assembly, which, at a meeting of the House of Peers, must, by voting, choose one of the leaders as king, thus founding a new royal dynasty.
Any member of the royal family who has the right of succession to the throne has no right to marry without the consent of the king, otherwise a potential heir who does so against the will of the king may be deprived of his legal rights to the throne. In addition, the throne cannot pass to a person who has committed a criminal offense or who is of unsound mind or imbecility.
According to the Constitution, the king's person is sacred, and he himself is the ruler of all the leaders and all the people of Tonga. He runs the country, but the ministers are responsible. All bills passed through the Legislative Assembly must be signed by the king before they come into force. The King of Tonga is the supreme commander of the country's land and sea forces. He appoints all officers, regulates the training and control of military forces, and has the right to declare war (with the permission of the Legislative Assembly). The King of Tonga has the right of pardon (with the permission of the Privy Council), the right to convene and dissolve at the sole discretion of the Legislative Assembly, the right to sign treaties with foreign states (provided that these treaties comply with the internal legislation of the Kingdom), and appoint diplomatic representatives of Tonga in other states ., awarding honorary titles. The King cannot change customs duties without the consent of the Legislative Assembly.
Legislature
The representatives of the peers and the representatives of the people should sit in the same House. The Legislative Assembly consists of members of the Privy Council and the Cabinet (as peers), representatives of peers and representatives of the people of the country. Representatives of the peers (the total number in the Assembly is 9 people) are elected by the peers of the Kingdom from among themselves every three years. Representatives of the people (total number - 9 people) are elected by the electorate. also every three years. In the latter case, all citizens who are endowed with active voting rights have the right to vote. The Speaker of the Assembly is appointed by the King. from the peers elected to the legislature.
According to the Tongan Constitution, the King and the Legislative Assembly have the power to make laws. After the Legislative Assembly has passed the bill by a majority vote in three readings, the bill must be submitted to the King for approval. Once signed by the King, the bill is subject to official publication (the date of publication is the date the law comes into force). In turn, the King has the right to reject the bill. In this case, the bill can only be considered by the Legislative Assembly at the next session.
Executive branch
Tonga has a Cabinet of Ministers consisting of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Land Management, the Minister of Law and Order and other ministers whom the King deigns to appoint. It is the royal prerogative to appoint all ministers. Ministers hold office for as long as the monarch wishes, or for such period of time as is determined by their committees. In this case, one minister can combine several positions. Ministers can be removed from office by the Legislative Assembly if their activities are contrary to the law. Cabinet Ministers are simultaneously members of the Privy Council and the Legislative Assembly as peers. Each minister is required to prepare an annual report informing the King of the activities of the ministry. The King, in turn, transmits the report to the Legislative Assembly. If the Assembly has questions regarding the activities of one of the ministries, then any of the ministers supervising this ministry must answer these questions.
The King, with the consent of the Cabinet of Ministers, appoints the governors of the islands of Ha'apai and Vava'u, who are simultaneously members of the Legislative Assembly and the Privy Council of Tonga. Governors are responsible for implementing laws in their districts.
The Privy Council operates under the King, which assists the monarch in carrying out a number of his functions. It consists of members of the Cabinet of Ministers, governors and any other persons whom the King deems necessary. No order of the King or the Privy Council can take effect without the signature of the relevant ministers who are responsible for the order.
Judicial branch
The Tongan judicial system includes the Privy Council, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, the Magistrates Court and the Land Court. Court).
The Tongan Privy Council is an advisory body to the King, which also performs some judicial functions. If the case was heard in the Supreme Court, then both parties to the trial have the right to appeal to the Privy Council, which must hear the case again. The decision of the Privy Council is final, but it cannot re-examine a criminal case: the Privy Council in this case can only advise the King to release the person from responsibility or reduce the punishment. Moreover, no decision of the council can come into force without the signature of the responsible minister. In addition, an appeal can be made to the Privy Council against a decision of the Land Court on issues of inheritance and title. The decision in this case is also final.
The Court of Appeal of Tonga consists of the Chief Justice of the Kingdom and other judges appointed by the King with the consent of the Privy Council. The Court of Appeal has exclusive power and jurisdiction to hear cases and decide appeals made from decisions of the Supreme Court or Land Court (except in matters relating to hereditary estates and titles).
The Supreme Court of Tonga consists of a Chief Justice and other judges appointed by the King with the consent of the Privy Council (if necessary, the Constitution provides for a jury). The Supreme Court has the exclusive power to hear cases of common law and equity in matters of violation of the Constitution and laws of the Kingdom, as well as matters relating to international treaties with foreign states, ministers and consuls, and cases concerning diplomatic agents, consuls and the law of the sea.
Electoral districts
Active suffrage to participate in the election of representatives of the people in the Legislative Assembly is granted to all citizens of Tonga who have reached the age of 21, who regularly pay taxes, can read and write, and are not mentally ill or weak-minded. A person accused of committing a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for more than two years is deprived of active and passive voting rights. This person is again granted voting rights only after the King has pardoned him and received a declaration that he is exempt from the above restrictions.
For elections to the Legislative Assembly, the country is divided into 5 constituencies: Tongatapu, Ha'apai, Vava'u, 'Eua and Niuafo'ou-Niuatoputapu. Three representatives from the peers and three representatives from the people are elected from Tongatapu, from Ha'apai and Vava'u - two representatives from the peers and two representatives from the people, from Eua and Niuafo'ou-Niuatoputapu - one representative from the peers and one representative from the people (with representatives from the peers for the district of Eua are elected from the peers of Tongatapu).
Local government and self-government system
The local government system in Tonga is not legally established. There are no village councils in the country that govern the villages. All power is in the hands of the central government, where various rules and regulations are developed to regulate society in general and, in particular, cities and villages. To manage the latter, the country is divided into districts and towns, headed respectively by the heads of districts (District Officer) and Town Officers, who are elected every three years by the population of the districts/cities.
The competence of district heads includes: control over healthcare (must report every quarter on sanitary conditions in all cities of the district), agriculture, finance and other issues determined by current legislation. The competence of the heads of cities includes: control over order, healthcare, agriculture, convening the Fono ((local councils), providing assistance to the head of the district.
Political parties
There are three political parties in the country: the Human Rights and Democracy Movement, the Sustainable State Building Party (Tong. Paati Langafonua Tuuloa), and the Peoples Democratic Party.
The country's largest party, the Movement for Human Rights and Democracy, was founded in the late 1970s and registered under its current name in 2002. The People's Democratic Party was founded on April 8, 2005 as a result of a split from the Movement for Human Rights and Democracy, and was officially registered on July 1, 2005. The country's newest party is the Sustainable State Building Party, founded on August 4, 2007 in Auckland (New Zealand).
Armed forces and police
Tonga has a permanent military force known as the Tonga Defense Services. Their main functions are the defense of the Kingdom, support of the civil authorities, assistance to it in maintaining order and other functions and responsibilities, the implementation of which is entrusted to them by the King. The armed forces consist of the regular (English Regular Force), territorial army (English Territorial Force) and reserve (English Reserve).
Tonga has a rich military history: Tongans took part in the First World War as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and at the beginning of the Second World War the Defense Force was created, but was disbanded towards the end of the war (reformed again in 1946).
Currently, the Tongan armed forces are divided into ground forces (Royal Guards) and naval forces (including the Royal Marines and an aviation unit). Three patrol boats and two light aircraft are in service. A total of 450 people serve in the armed forces, which are supported by Australia, New Zealand and the United States. In recent years, Tongan army units have taken part in peacekeeping operations in the Solomon Islands, as well as as part of the international coalition forces in Iraq (the Tongan mission was withdrawn from the country in December 2008).
Tonga has a police force. Their main function is to maintain law and order, maintain peace, protect life and property, prevent and detect crimes and other functions provided for by law. The Tonga Police Force is headed by the Minister of Police, who is responsible to the Cabinet.
In 2005, 2,932 crimes were committed in the country (2,517 in 2002). Of these: against the person of a person - 652, against property - 1952.
Foreign policy and international relations
Tonga maintains diplomatic relations with many countries of the world, including Russia. The Kingdom has the longest history of bilateral relations with France: relations with it were established back in 1855 with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship. However, only Australia, China, New Zealand and Japan have their own embassy or high commissioner office in the Pacific nation's capital, Nuku'alofa. The only diplomatic representation of Tonga in the form of an embassy is located in Beijing (PRC). The country also has a permanent representative to the UN, honorary consuls in London (UK) and San Francisco (USA) and trade representatives in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Tonga were established on October 14, 1977. In December 1991, the Russian Federation was recognized as the legal successor of the USSR. Russian ambassadors to New Zealand are also ambassadors to the Kingdom of Tonga, so there is no Russian embassy in the country.
The Kingdom of Tonga is a member of the UN, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the Pacific Islands Forum, the Commonwealth of Nations, the African, Caribbean and Pacific Nations and other international organizations.
Story
Polynesians began to populate the Tongan islands in the 13th century BC. e. The Tonga Islands played a connecting role and served as a starting point from which further exploration of Oceania began. The Tongans made long voyages, attacking the inhabitants of many islands of Oceania and imposing tribute on them.
Beginning in the 10th century, the hereditary authority of the “sacred” Tui-Tonga leaders was established on the islands of Tonga, Samoa and parts of Fiji. The founder of the dynasty was Akhoeitu. In the middle of the 15th century, a reform of power took place, and the main role in management began to be played by the deputies of the Tui-Tonga, who bore the title of Tui-Haatakalaua. The Tui-haatakalaua performed civil power functions and began to have real power, while the Tui-Tonga received nominal power (in fact, they were left to perform ritual functions). The next stage, at the beginning of the 17th century, marked the loss of power of the tui-haatakalaula. Real power passed to the Minister of War, who bore the title Tui-Kanokupolu, and after 100 years the title of former competitors Tui-Haatakalaula was eliminated.
In 1773, 1774, 1777, the islands were visited by British traveler James Cook, who gave them the name “Friendship Islands.” Since 1797, Christian missionaries began to arrive in Tonga, but only in 1828 did they manage to establish themselves in the archipelago and begin converting the Tongans to Christianity.
In 1845, the last thirty-ninth Tui-Tonga, Luafilitonga, died without leaving any heirs. Taking advantage of this, the ruling Tui-Kanokupolu Oneou George Tupou I concentrated power in one hand and proclaimed himself King of Tonga. Relying on the support of Christian missionaries, he carried out a number of reforms that strengthened the feudal system and royal power, and also laid the foundations of the state structure and social relations, which have survived in many ways to the present day. In the 1870s and 1880s, France, Germany, Great Britain and the United States concluded treaties with Tonga that recognized the independence of the kingdom.
From 1900 to 1970, the Kingdom of Tonga was a British protectorate. At the same time, local kings retained their power. In 1970, the Tonga Islands gained independence.
Economy
The characteristics that determine the economic situation in Tonga are no different from those of other countries in Oceania: a huge exclusive economic zone, limited natural resources, remoteness from the main world markets, and a shortage of highly qualified specialists. However, the main factors that can damage economic stability on the islands are natural disasters (mainly droughts and cyclones) and fluctuations in world markets. This is due to the fact that the basis of Tonga’s exports are goods (zucchini, vanilla, fish, kava), which are very sensitive to natural processes, and the country itself is an economic agent that cannot influence pricing on global markets. The remoteness from the main markets for the sale of products leads not only to high transport costs, impedes the international mobility of production factors, but also prevents the penetration of various commercial and technical know-how into the country.
According to the CIA, in 2007, the country's GDP at purchasing power parity was about $526 million, and its GDP per capita was $5,100. Between 1973 and 1995, annual economic growth, largely determined by government spending and the level of remittances from abroad, was about 1.8%. Real GDP growth averaged 2.2% between 1994 and 2001, with rates ranging from 0.1 to 6.2%, reflecting the economy's dependence on sectors such as agriculture and tourism. In 2007, GDP growth was estimated at a negative 3.5%, reflecting a weakening Tongan economy.
Agriculture
One of the important sectors of the Tongan economy is agriculture. However, in recent years there has been a decline in the share of this sector in the country's GDP. For example, in 1994/1995 the share of agriculture in GDP was 34%, but in 2005/2006 this figure fell to 25%. This is due to the diversification of the local economy, as a result of which the role of the service sector has significantly increased. The main goal of this process is to expand Tonga's economic base in order to strengthen the economy in case of future external shocks. Agriculture provides the country with food, jobs, materials for construction and crafts, and stimulates the influx of foreign currency.
The main agricultural crops are the coconut palm (copra is produced from the oily endosperm of the nuts of this plant), bananas, vanilla, zucchini, cocoa, coffee, ginger, and black pepper.
Fishing
Fish is one of Tonga's national treasures, which plays a very important role in the economy and life of the country. For the domestic market, fish are mainly caught within reefs and lagoons and serve as the main source of protein for the local population.
The country has a large exclusive economic zone, the area of which is about 700 thousand km. The state budget is also replenished by issuing licenses to foreign vessels to fish in this economic zone, while licensing income largely depends on weather conditions (mainly El Niño and La Niña phenomena). The main interest for foreign vessels is tuna.
In the late 1960s, commercial lobster fishing began in Tonga, amounting to about 36 metric tons annually. However, in recent years there has been a decline in this figure. In addition, various types of sea shellfish are grown: some of them are used for domestic consumption, and the shells are used to make souvenirs for tourists. The government of the country also made attempts to breed oysters and pearl mussels, however, for the most part, these experiments were unsuccessful. The cultivation of these mollusks in the country began in the early 1960s, and in 1975, the Tongan government established an experimental enterprise for the cultivation of lionfish oysters (lat. Pteria penguin), which were imported from Japan specifically for these purposes. In 1993, the establishment of commercial pearl farms was initiated for the first time in the Vava'u Islands.
Transport
One of the obstacles to the development of the road network in the country is the shortage of land resources, as well as the existing land use regime. In addition, most of the roads were built with funds received from foreign countries. In 2000, Tonga's highways were only 680 km long. Of these, 184 km were paved. There is no railway transport in the country.
There are no national air carriers in Tonga: the previously existing local airlines Peau Vavau (founded in 2004, operated domestic flights) and Royal Tongan Airlines (founded in 1985, operated domestic and international flights) ceased to exist. Currently, the main international airlines flying into the country are Air Pacific, Air New Zealand, Pacific Blue, and between the islands of Tonga - Chathams Pacific. In total, in 2007, there were 6 airports in the country, but only one of them (Fuaamotu International Airport) had a paved runway.
Most islands have public transport and taxis (license plates have the letter “T”). The country's largest port is Nuku'alofa.
Connection
The Tongan press is represented by three weekly publications: the Tonga Chronicle newspaper (Tongan: Ko e Kalonikali Tonga) is owned by the government of the country and is published weekly on Fridays in two languages, Tongan and English (the newspaper's circulation in Tongan is about 5 thousand copies, in English - 1 ,5 thousand.); The Times of Tonga (Tonga: Taimi o Tonga) is privately owned and published in Auckland (New Zealand) twice a week with a separate edition for the Tongan islands (founded in April 1989); Matangi Tonga magazine is also privately owned. Several other publications are published in the country: Lao moe Hia (publication of court cases; in Tongan), Ko e Kele'a (political commentary), and several religious publications.
The islands have one AM station (Radio Tonga 1), four FM stations: Kool 90FM (owned by the government Tonga Broadcasting Commission), Radio 2000 (private radio station), 93FM (private religious station), Radio Nuku 'alofa" (private). In 2004, three companies provided television services in Tonga: the Tonga Broadcasting Commission (the government organization that owns Television Tonga and TV Tonga 2), Tonfon (pay cable television), Friendly Island Broadcasting Network (a private company providing services to Vava'u).
Various types of telecommunications services are available on the islands, including telephony and the Internet. In 2007, there were more than 21 thousand home telephones and 46,500 mobile phones in use in the country. 8,400 people used the Internet.
Tourism
For a long time, the tourism sector of the Tongan economy was relatively poorly developed. Only in 1966, the government of the kingdom took the first major step towards the development of tourism in the archipelago: the largest hotel in the country, the International Dateline Hotel, was built. Currently, tourism plays an important role in the Tongan economy, being one of the main sources of foreign exchange inflow. In 2004, the country was visited by 41,208 tourists, which is almost 10 thousand more than in 1999: then 30,949 people visited the country. The country is mainly visited by tourists from New Zealand, Australia and the USA. In 2003, the main purposes of travel for those arriving in Tonga were to spend vacations on the islands, as well as to visit friends and relatives, and the main recreational activities for foreigners were diving, sport fishing, cultural tourism, yachting, surfing, and camping.
Citizens of several countries, including former Soviet republics such as Russia, Ukraine, Latvia and Lithuania, do not need a visa before entering the country. As a rule, it is issued free of charge at the airport upon entry into the Kingdom. Validity period: 1 month. The prerequisites for receiving it are a return ticket and sufficient funds for a vacation in Tonga. However, citizens of some countries are required to obtain a visa before entering the country.
External economic relations
Tonga's main exports are agricultural products (zucchini, fish, vanilla, root vegetables). The country depends on imports of food products, engineering products and vehicles, fuel, and chemical products. Imports are many times greater than exports. In 2006, exports amounted to $22 million, and imports amounted to $139 million.
The main import partners in 2007 were Fiji (32%), New Zealand (27%), USA (9%), Australia (8%), China (5%). The main export partners are the USA (34%), Japan (20%), South Korea (10%), Fiji (6%), Samoa (5%).
Monetary system and finance
The monetary unit of Tonga is the pa'anga, introduced into circulation on April 3, 1967 (before that, the Tongan pound was used). It itself is not a convertible currency, and its exchange rate is pegged to a basket of currencies consisting of the Australian dollar, New Zealand dollar, US dollar and Japanese yen. There are 7 coins in circulation in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 seniti, as well as 7 banknotes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pa'anga.
The 2007-08 budget (the budget year runs from July 1 to June 30) showed expenditures of $109.8 million and revenues of $80.48 million. The largest expenditure items of the budget are expenditures on housing and communal services, the economy, and healthcare. Among incomes, the most important are revenues from taxes and duties, with indirect taxes playing a decisive role.
An important source of replenishment of the country's budget are also postage stamps, which attract the interest of philatelists from all over the world.
Tonga's domestic banking system is represented by three foreign ones (Westpac Bank of Tonga, ANZ Bank, Malaysian Banking finance) and one local bank (Tonga Development Bank). These banks are supervised by the National Reserve Bank of Tonga, which is the country's central bank.
Culture
Modern Tongan society, like traditional one, is distinguished by high stratification of the population and hierarchy. However, over several centuries, significant changes have occurred in the division of society into ranks, which have largely smoothed out the differences in society between representatives of different social groups. There are three main social groups in Tongan society: the royal family, or ha'a tu'i (Tong. Ha'a Tu'i), the nobles/chiefs, or hou'eiki (Tong. hou'eiki), and the common people , or kau tu'a (Tong. kau tu'a). All titles still remain hereditary and, as a rule, are transmitted exclusively through the male line. The Constitution of 1875 introduced a new rank on the islands - the landed aristocracy, or nopele (Tong. nopele).
The social organization of society in the Tongan Islands, which involves a hierarchy of population depending on their status and power, operates largely on the basis of the system of family, or famili, and extended family, or kainga. The Tongan surname consists of a married couple and their children who live in the same house, while the kainga consists of all relatives living in one or more villages. A significant role in determining a person’s status is played by his gender and age. For example, the position of women in Tongan society is traditionally considered more privileged than that of men. However, inheritance of land or titles is through the male line. The status of children is usually determined by birth order, gender, place of birth, and the status and authority of their parents.
Kitchen
The basis of the diet of the ancient Tongans were agricultural plants such as taro, yams, bananas, and coconuts. A lot of fish was consumed, which, as a rule, was baked in special leaves in underground ovens. Various shellfish that were eaten raw were considered a delicacy. Drinks made from coconut milk were widespread. The ancient inhabitants of the archipelago also raised pigs, but they were slaughtered only on special occasions, such as holidays.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the diet of local residents included many foods and plants that were brought to the islands by Europeans, such as onions, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, oranges, lemons and cassava, which was easier to grow than traditional yams. In addition, watermelons appeared, which became very popular in the archipelago: they began to make a non-alcoholic soft drink otai (Tong: ‘otai) (a mixture of watermelon juice, coconut milk and, possibly, the juices of other fruits, such as mangoes and pineapples).
Traditional Tongan dishes include:
- Lu-pulu (Tong. lu pulu) - corned beef baked in taro leaves along with onions and coconut milk.
- Lu sipi (Tong. lu sipi) - the same as lu pulu, but made from lamb.
- Vai siaine (Tong: vai siaine) is a soup-like dish made from ripe bananas and coconuts.
Music
There is practically no information about the music and musical instruments of Tonga, which existed before the arrival of Europeans on the islands. Some of the first European travelers to visit the archipelago, James Cook and William Mariner, wrote several notes in their diaries about the traditional music they heard while dancing. Among the folk instruments of Tonga there are idiophones (drums, slotted gongs, jew's harps), chordophones, aerophones (nose flutes, shell pipes, ordinary shells, flutes).
Before the arrival of Europeans, drums were absent from all of Western Polynesia (with the exception of Tokelau). On the islands of Tonga, they were presumably introduced relatively recently from Samoa along with the mauluulu dance (Tong. mauluulu) and have since undergone significant “modernization”: currently Tongan drums, or nafa (Tong. nafa), as the name of the ancient forms Slit gongs) are most often made from 44-gallon oil drums, which are then cut in half and covered with calfskin. Slotted gongs are widespread in Tonga, of which there are two main types: nafa (Tong. nafa), which were mentioned by James Cook in his diary in 1784, and lali (Tong. lali), imported from the Fiji islands. According to Cook's descriptions, the nafa had a length of 0.9 to 1.2 m, a thickness half that of a person, and a small gap of 8 cm that stretched along the entire length of the instrument. When playing the nafa, two hardwood sticks, 30 cm long and wrist-thick, were used, which were used to beat in the middle and towards the end of the slotted gong. Lalis were traditionally used not for musical purposes, but to call together chiefs in times of peace or to encircle a village before an attack during wars. A variety of lali, lali faiva (Tong. lali faiva), is used in the performance of the meke dance (Tong. meke).
A local variety of the harp is the utete (Tong. utete), which is made from a coconut palm leaf 25 cm long and 3 cm wide. In the past, playing it was a common pastime among children, but nowadays this musical instrument is quite rare. Among other idiophones, one can distinguish tafua (Tong. tofua) - a twisted mat, inside of which there is a bamboo stem and the sound of which is achieved by striking two sticks; used for musical accompaniment of dances of fakhaiula, ula and otuhak.
Of the chordophones in Tonga, only guitars brought by Europeans are found, as well as ukuleles. All of them are used, as a rule, in the performance of love songs, or hiva-kakala. Among aerophones, nasal flutes, or fangufangu (Tong. fangufangu), are common, as are various sea shells, which are used as musical trumpets. Mimiha flutes (Tong. mimiha) have become very rare in the last century.
Modern Tongan music has been influenced by various musical movements of European, Pacific and even Caribbean origin. The lyrics are verses built on the principle of heliaki (Tong. heliaki): “to say one thing, but mean another.” Of the songs, the most interesting are the ceremonial dance songs, or faiva (Tong. faiva). Hiva kakala love songs (Tong. hiva kakala) are very popular.
Dancing
The official ceremonial dance, widespread in the past and still in modern times, is meetuupaki, a dance performed by men. When performing this dance, special fans are used, which are called paki (Tong. paki), as well as a Tongan slot drum, or nafa (Tong. nafa), which is played with two special wooden mallets. Voice accompaniment is provided by a group of men and women who sit in front of the dancer along with the nafa performer. In the past, meetuupaki was performed only during important events of national significance, such as inasi, the first fruit ceremony of the year, when the Tongans presented gifts to the tui-tonga, one of the archipelago's paramount chiefs. Currently, this dance is performed in villages where descendants of the Tui Tonga live.
Unlike men's dances, women's dances on the Tongan Islands are less formal and can be performed around the clock (men's dances are usually performed during the day). The most famous of them are the seated otuhaka dance (Tong. otuhaka) and the standing ula dance (Tong. ula). The musical accompaniment and hand movements in these dances are very similar, and they themselves, as a rule, were performed one after another. Although dances are now most commonly performed with a drum or guitar, in the past the otuhaka and ula were accompanied by the sound of the tafua, a musical instrument made from two bamboo branches wrapped in a mat. Two special sticks were used to produce sound. The Tauolunga dance, which was presumably brought to the islands from Samoa, has become especially popular lately. It has all the movements found in Ula dance, but with more leg movement.
Another famous Tongan dance, which was declared by UNESCO in 2003 as a “masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity,” is the lakalaka. It is performed by both men and women from the same village (their number sometimes reaches 400 people), who line up in two rows: women on the left, men on the right. During the dance, which begins with poetry, the performers practically stand still, only making special movements with their hands, while men use some movements, and women use others (therefore, it seems that two different dances are being performed).
Mauluulu (Tong. mauluulu) is a seated dance for both men and women, which uses movements found in the Otuhaka, Ula and Lakalaka dances. Presumably, it was brought to the Tonga Islands from Samoa at the end of the 19th century. When performing it, dancers sit cross-legged on the floor in several rows. The dance is accompanied by drumming, special hand movements and clapping and is performed only on important official occasions and reflects loyalty to the existing socio-political structure of society in Tonga.
During the coronation of George Tupou V in 2008, the mauluulu dance was performed by 9,000 schoolchildren.
Traditional games
In addition to the widely played games around the world, which are also popular in Tonga (for example, rugby, cricket, football), the country has many traditional entertainments (mainly for children). The most famous of them are pani (Tong. pani), hiko (Tong. hiko) and lanita (Tong. lanita).
Pani is a game between two teams using a tennis ball and 10-12 aluminum cans. One of the teams must build a small tower from these cans. After she has done this, the other team must throw a tennis ball to knock down the tower. If at this moment a member of the other team is hit by the ball, then he is out of the game. If the team that built the first tower can rebuild it again, then it must count loudly to 10 and then shout “lady.” With each cry of “Pani” the team gets one point.
The game of hiko involves dancing and juggling. The winner is the player who can juggle any of the objects (fruits, tennis balls or empty bottles) the longest.
Lanita is a team game that is largely similar to cricket (though without the bat). In it, the batter must throw the ball high into the air and then hit it with his hand. If the ball is caught, it is out of play. If not, the batter must run between the two bases before being hit by a ball thrown by the receiving player. As soon as the batter touches second base, his team scores a point.
Archaeological sites
Although the islands of Tonga have been poorly studied from an archaeological point of view, valuable archaeological sites have been preserved on a number of islands, including a large number of finds belonging to the Lapita culture and discovered on all the islands of the Kingdom (a total of about 30 archaeological sites, most of which are located on the Haapai Islands ). According to research by Professor David Burley from the Canadian University. Simon Fraser University, the village of Nukuleka in the eastern part of Tongatapu is probably the oldest settlement of the Tongans or Polynesians, that is, it can be considered the “cradle of Polynesia”. In addition, in the northern part of the island of Tongatapu, near the village of Niutua, there is the famous 12-ton trilith Haamonga a Maui (Tongan: Haamonga a Maui; translated from Tongan - “burden of the god Maui”) - the only one in the South Pacific megalithic arch, consisting of three coral slabs 5 m high, 2 m wide and 6 m long (there is an external resemblance to Stonehenge). The exact time of construction of the structure, as well as its purpose, is unknown. Presumably, it was built at the beginning of the 13th century during the reign of the eleventh Tui-Tonga, Tuitatui. According to local legends, Haamonga was created by the god Maui from stones that he brought from Wallis Island. There are also several schools of thought regarding the functions of Ha'amonga-a-Maui. According to one of them, the structure was built by Tuitatui with the aim of reconciling his warring sons (the trilithon was supposed to symbolize the family ties between them), or it could serve as an entrance to the royal territory that existed in the past in this place. According to the idea proposed by Taufaahau Tupou IV, the building was used to observe the sun, as well as determine the summer and winter solstices (in 1972, the king declared the monument and the area around it a national park).
Of particular interest from the point of view of history and archeology is the city of Mua (Tong. Mua), located approximately 12 km from the modern capital of Tonga, the city of Nuku'alofa, and served from the 13th to the 19th centuries as the third capital of the Kingdom (the first is the village of Toloa, the second - Heketa). In the north-eastern part of Mua is the Lapaha district, the seat and center of supreme power of the Tui-Tonga dynasty. In addition, it is known as the geographical center of the Tongan Empire in the period from the 13th to the 19th centuries, as well as the burial place of the paramount leaders (in total, Lapaha is supposed to contain 22 graves, or langi (Tong. langi), which are small hills in the shape strongly truncated pyramids).
Sport
Rugby is the national sport of Tonga, and the national rugby team (Ikale Tahi, or Sea Eagles) performs very successfully on the international stage. Although it did less well than teams from Samoa and Fiji, the country has competed in the Rugby World Cup four times (first taking part in 1987). The national team's most successful performance was at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, when in the first two matches it defeated the United States with a score of 25–15 and Samoa with a score of 19–15. However, in the next two matches the team lost to New Zealand and England, finishing 3rd in their group. Thanks to their success, the Tongan national team automatically qualified for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
The Tonga Football Federation has been a member of FIFA and the Oceania Football Confederation since 1994. The first international match with the participation of the Tongan national football team took place on August 31, 1979, in which Tonga lost to the Tuvalu team with a score of 3:5. The Tongan national team suffered its biggest defeat from the Australian national team on April 9, 2001, losing with a score of 0:22. The Tongan team won its biggest victory over the Federated States of Micronesia team on July 5, 2003 at the South Pacific Games in Fiji with a score of 7:0.
The country's National Olympic Committee was formed in 1963 and officially recognized by the IOC in 1984. For the first time, the Tongan national team took part in the Summer Olympic Games in 1984 (held in Los Angeles). However, the first and so far only medal (silver) was won only in 1996, in Atlanta, by the Tongan boxer Paea Wolfgramm. Due to climatic conditions, Tonga has never participated in the Winter Olympic Games, although it was planned that a Tongan luger trained in Germany would take part in the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver (Canada). However, he failed to qualify.
Healthcare
Tonga has a fairly developed healthcare system compared to other countries in Oceania. Although traditional medicine is still strong in the country, most Tongans do not refuse qualified medical care. Health care at government health facilities is free, but residents often have to pay for most medications. The private healthcare sector is virtually undeveloped and is represented primarily by healers and government doctors who practice after work. Tonga has a health insurance system, but it only covers government employees.
In order to better manage the healthcare system and provide quality services to the population, the Kingdom of Tonga is divided into four health districts. The country has one general hospital with a capacity of 199 beds, located in Nuku'alofa, which provides treatment for patients with various types of diseases (except those requiring advanced surgery and other high-tech medical equipment). There are three district central hospitals on the islands of Eua, Ha'apai and Vava'u with 16, 28 and 61 beds respectively. In addition, there are 14 primary health care centers and 34 maternal health centers in the country. In 2003, Tonga registered 32 general practitioners, 23 dentists, 342 nurses, and 21 midwives.
The main causes of morbidity in Tonga are acute respiratory infections, influenza, pneumonia, and diarrhea. In recent decades, non-contagious diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases have become widespread in Tonga, the prevalence of which is significantly higher than in developed countries. This is caused by several factors, among which we can highlight: globalization processes, increasing well-being of the population, automation of production, an increase in imported goods high in fat and sugar in the diet of local residents, a decrease in physical activity of the adult population, and an increase in the number of smokers. Sexually transmitted diseases have become a particular danger in recent years.
Smoking is widespread: according to the 2006 census, approximately 21% of the Tongan population aged 6 years and over (33% of males and 9% of females) smoke daily.
Education
Schooling in the Tongan Islands began with Protestant missionaries who preached the ideas of John Wesley and were the first to establish a Christian mission in the archipelago. Subsequently, representatives of other Christian teachings had a great influence on the education system. Already in 1876, universal primary education was introduced in the Tonga Islands. In 1882, the education system came under government control, but already in 1906, many religious missions were again allowed to open their own schools. In general, the Kingdom's education system is of a high standard compared to other Oceanian countries, for example, the country has a high literacy rate: according to a 1999 estimate, 98.9% of the population could read and write Tongan and/or English.
Education in Tonga is compulsory and free for children aged 6 to 14 years. The country's educational system includes several levels: six-year primary education, seven-year secondary education and higher education (from six months to three years).
Primary education is compulsory in the country. Of the 116 registered primary schools in 1997, 105 were government-controlled and the rest were non-government (mostly church-based) schools. In 2006, there were 16,941 students studying there (of which 8,958 were boys, 7,983 girls), and the number of teachers was 760.
In 1997, there were 41 secondary schools, or colleges, in Tonga. As of 2006, 14,311 people studied there (of which 7,364 were boys, 6,947 were girls); number of teachers - 999 people. At the same time, the majority of children received education in non-governmental schools.
After graduating from high school, further education can be obtained at 14 educational institutions (of which 8 are government), including the Institute for Vocational Education and Training, the Polytechnical Institute , Teachers College, School of Nursing. Queen Salote School of Nursing and Tonga Police Training School. In addition, the University of the South Pacific campus is located in Nuku'alofa.
Many states, primarily Australia, New Zealand and Japan, provide significant assistance to Tonga, financing various educational projects in the country.
(Kingdom of Tonga)
General information
GGographic position. Tonga is a state in the Pacific Ocean, located southeast of Fiji. Consists of more than 150 islands, forming three main groups: Tongatapu, Ha'apai and Vava'u. The country stretches in a chain from north to south.
Square. The territory of Tonga occupies 748 square meters. km.
Main cities, administrative divisions. The capital of the country is the city of Nuku'alofa (34 thousand people). Administrative division of the country: 5 districts.
Political system
Tonga is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is King Taufa "ahau Tu-pou IV (in power since December 16, 1965). The head of government is the Prime Minister. The country is a member of the Commonwealth.
Relief. Most of the islands of the western ridge rise noticeably above sea level.
Geological structure and minerals. The country's subsoil does not contain any significant resources.
Climate. The climate is mild, with an average annual temperature of about +24°C and an average annual precipitation of about 1905 mm.
Soils and vegetation. The largest islands are overgrown with numerous palm trees.
Animal world. There are a large number of bird species, and the islands are also home to a rare species of bat called the flying fox.
Population and language
The population is about 108 thousand people, the average population density is about 144 people per 1 sq. km. Ethnic groups: Tongans - 98%, other Polynesians, Europeans. Languages: Tongan, English (both official).
Religion
Methodists - 47%, Catholics - 14%, adherents of the Free Church of Tonga - 14%, Mormons - 9%>, followers of the Church of Tonga - 9%.
Brief historical sketch
The first Europeans on the islands were the Dutch at the beginning of the 17th century. Over the next two centuries, many sailors landed on the islands, including Abel Jansoon Tasman and James Cook. By 1845, Tonga had ended its numerous civil wars and the country had become a constitutional monarchy. European powers recognized the neutrality of the state. However, according to the German-British Treaty of November 14, 1899, Tonga became a British protectorate, which happened on May 18, 1900. The country gained independence on June 4, 1970.
Brief Economic Sketch
The basis of the economy is agriculture. Main export crops: coconut palm, bananas; The main food crops are sweet potato, cassava, yam, taro. Logging. Fishing. Processing of agricultural raw materials. Foreign tourism. Export of copra, bananas, coconut oil, vanilla.
The monetary unit is pa'anga.
Brief sketch of culture Art and architecture. Nuku'alofa. Royal Palace (1865 - 1867).
