What is Tonga best known for?

the Friendly Islands
The archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean south of Samoa is also known as the Friendly Islands, it comprises 176 islands, 36 of them are inhabited. Tonga is the only kingdom in the Pacific since Taufa’ahau (King George) in 1875 declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy, he also gave Tonga its first constitution.

Why is Tonga so special?

This is partly because Tonga is the only Pacific Island nation never colonised by a foreign power. Uniquely, Tonga has also never lost its indigenous governance. After over 1000 years of rule, today’s monarchy and its structure still remain the most powerful and influential entity in Tonga.

Which country owns Tonga?

A former British protectorate, Tonga became fully independent in 1970, though it was never formally colonised. Tonga has no strategic or mineral resources and relies on agriculture, fishing and the money sent home by Tongans living abroad, many of them in New Zealand.

What are some unique features of Tonga?

Tonga’s high volcanic and low coral forms give the islands a unique character. Some volcanoes are still active and Falcon Island in the Vava’u group is a submerged volcano that erupts periodically, its lava and ash rising above sea level forming a visible island which disappears when the eruption is over.

What race are Tongan?

Polynesian
Nearly the entire population is of Polynesian ancestry. Tongans are closely related to Samoans and other Polynesians in culture and language as well as in genetic heritage. There is also a small amount of Melanesian influence through contact with Fiji.

Is Tonga a poor country?

The Polynesian Kingdom of Tonga is home to around 102,000 people. The poverty rate in Tonga is 22.1 percent; in other words, one out of every five Tongans lives below the poverty line. Among the eight nations in the Pacific region, Tonga has the third lowest poverty rate, proceeded by the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Is Tonga a US ally?

The United States and Tonga enjoy close cooperation on a range of international issues. Many Tongans reside in the United States, particularly in Utah, California, Texas, and Hawaii. On July 4, 2007, US Ambassador Larry Dinger noted the “close bilateral military relationship” between the two countries.

What are three interesting facts about Tonga?

9 Fun Facts About Tonga

• Tonga Has a Disappearing Island.
• Humpback Whales Travel 3,000 Miles to Breed and Give Birth in Tonga.
• The Niuas are Closer to Samoa than to any Other Island in Tonga.
• Niuafo’ou Used to Be Called “Tin Can Island”
• Tonga Was Home to the World’s Heaviest Monarch.

What is someone from Tonga called?

Tonga

What do they speak in Tonga?

Tongan
English
Tonga/Official languages

Can you move to Tonga?

If you wish to move to the other side of the world, Tonga is the ideal expat destination. Located in Polynesia, the Kingdom of Tonga offers an amazing blend of ancient traditions and cultures with modernism. Although its economy is quite limited, Tonga welcomes foreign investors with open arms.

Is Tonga expensive to visit?

Know before you go – Tonga Travel Tips Tonga is much more expensive than South East Asia but less expensive and less developed than many other Pacific Islands. Currency is Tonga Paanga (TOP).

What is Tonga famous for?

Tonga ‘Uli’uli Fifita is a semi-retired Tongan professional wrestler, known for his appearances in both World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation. In WCW, he wrestled under the name Meng; in the WWF , he wrestled under the names King Tonga, King Haku, and Haku.

What race is Tongan people?

Tongans , a Polynesian group represent more than 98% of the inhabitants of Tonga. The rest are European (the majority are British), mixed European, and other Pacific Islanders. There also are several hundred Chinese.

What is the nationality of Tonga?

Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, is a Polynesian sovereign state and archipelago made up of 176 islands with a total area of 290 square miles (748 km²) that are spread over 270,000 square miles in the southern Pacific Ocean. While this small nation has a small population, it has a rather high population density of 139 people per square kilometer (360/sq mi), which ranks 76th in the world.

What is Tonga’s capital?

The capital city of Tonga is Nuku’alofa. Its location is on the northern coast of the largest island in Tonga called Tongatapu.