Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Tonga? 6 Apr – Good Friday The access charge part of the call cost is going to your phone line company (BT, Talk Talk, Sky, Virgin, etc. Aerial view along the coast of Ê¿Eua Island, Tonga. Ê¿Eua Island (Tongatapu Group) has an old volcanic ridge rising to 1,078 feet (329 metres) above sea level. To conserve moisture, plants near the shore have small waxy or hairy leaves. Outline Map of Tonga . The northern islands, which are closest to the Equator, are particularly vulnerable to typhoons, which generally occur between December and April. We are a Tongan/ British free spirited and fun loving family and looking for different people or possibly a couple to help us get sorted as we are just starting a new tourism ..... (3) Contact Add note Tonga. Rainwater reacting with the carbon dioxide in vegetation acquires acidic properties and dissolves coral and limestone rock, thereby forming caves. The sandy, rocky, dry soils of the coasts and the direct exposure there to strong winds and salty spray create unfavourable conditions for coastal vegetation. The above blank map represents the Kingdom of Tonga â a sovereign nation in Polynesia, composed ⦠Catching a flight from Auckland, New Zealand or Nadi, Fiji are the most convenient and these cities have the most flights departing for Tonga. Tonga is also known as the Friendly Islands because of the friendly reception afforded to Captain James Cook on his first visit there in 1773. 25 Dec – Christmas VavaÊ¿u Island has a fine, large landlocked harbour. The constant action of the waves has created the sheer cliffs and sandspits of VavaÊ¿u and NukuÊ¿alofa. This is an increase of 0.42 % (445 people) compared to population of 105,100 the year before. FURTHER INFO | ACTIVITIES, TOURS & ENTERTAINMENT | TONGA OVERVIEW | WHALES | SURFING FURTHER INFO ON BLUE BANANA BEACH HOUSE ACCOMMODATION BLUE BANANA BEACH HOUSE LOCATION: Tongatapu has the only international airport in Tonga (not actually in Nukuâalofa but at Fuamotu) and you don't need a connecting domestic flight to get to us. A Tongan market is also a great place to find handicraft or handwork items to take home as souvenirs. A shopping trip in Tonga is sure to be a great experience. Most of the grocery stores in Tongatapu are well stocked with a range of produce, perishables and dry food. TG Express shipping information for Tonga. A protective reef surrounds Tongatapu Island; many islands in the VavaÊ¿u Group lack such protection and are shrinking. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. As of 1 January 2021, the population of Tonga was estimated to be 105,545 people. Sort out the random interesting facts about countries around the world. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. What country has the largest Muslim population? People leaving a church on VavaÊ¿u Island, Tonga. Walter Lawry in 1822. Tonga is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. The flag on Tonga is red, with a red cross on a white rectangle on the upper hoist side corner. Religion is an important aspect of Tongan society, and most Tongan families are members of a Christian church. Regional Maps: Map of Oceania. Tongans are closely related to Samoans and other Polynesians in culture and language as well as in genetic heritage. The waters around the HaÊ¿apai island group, Tonga. The Tongan monarchy follows an uninterrupted succession of hereditary rulers from one family. Help at a resort on a remote island in Ha'apai, Tonga. By the 12th century Tongans, and the Tongan paramount chief, the Tu'i Tonga, had a reputation across the central Pacific – from Niue, Samoa, Rotuma, Wallis and Futuna, New Caledonia to Tikopia – leading some historians to speak of a Tu'i Tonga Empire. Tonga is two roughly parallel chains of around 170 islands in the south-western Pacific. Tongaâs total land area is dispersed between latitudes 15° and 23° S and longitudes 173° and 177° W. The capital, NukuÊ¿alofa, is on the island of Tongatapu. An Austronesian-speaking group linked to the archaeological construct known as the Lapita cultural complex reached and colonised Tonga around 1500-1000 BCE. Tongaâs land birds include doves, rails, starlings, kingfishers, and many others. 25 Apr – ANZAC Day Most of the islands are raised coral islands, some are volcanic, and a few are atolls. The proliferation of denominations generates competition among churches, as newer groups entice believers away. Disclaimer | Tonga has a semitropical climate except in the northernmost islands, where truly tropical conditions prevail. The treaty posted no higher permanent representative on Tonga than a British Consul (1901–1970). Tongan is a Polynesian language and is closely related to Hawaiian, Niuean and Samoan. Not much is known about Tonga before European contact because of the lack of a writing system. The Tongan kingdom was at its peak during the 1200s when it had influence as far as Samoa. Later noteworthy European visitors included James Cook in 1773, 1774, and 1777, Alessandro Malaspina (Spanish Navy) in 1793, the first London missionaries in 1797, and the Wesleyan Methodist Rev. Tongan waters attract several varieties of seabirds such as noddies, terns, frigate birds, and mutton birds. Some space is available for baggage below the carriage, between the wheels. Tongan and English are the official languages in Tonga. Tonga is also known as the Friendly Islands because of the friendly reception afforded to Captain James Cook on his first visit there in 1773. Among the native birds of NiuafoÊ¿ou Island is the incubator bird. It is also a major port of entry and has several wharves and piers. Tongatapu has the highest population density and totalled 66,979 which accounted for 69% of the total population. COVID-19 Testing . Corrections? Please refer to the DHL guidance on shipping to Tonga; TG International shipping information for Tonga. Many Tongans migrate overseas, in particular to the United States and New Zealand. Tidal sand and mudflats have swampy areas that support mangroves. It is surrounded by Fiji, Wallis and Futuna to the northwest, Samoa to the northeast, Niue to the east, Kermadec to the southwest and New Caledonia and Vanuatu to a more distant west. Advertise | The remainder belong to smaller, mostly Protestant, denominations. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Scholars have much debated the exact dates of the initial settlement of Tonga, but recently it has been thought that the first settlers came to the oldest town Nukuleka. Which country claims "Waltzing Matilda" as their unofficial anthem? Over 70% of the population of Tonga lives on the main island of Tongatapu. Tonga is located about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. While exposed to colonial pressures, Tonga has never lost indigenous governance, a fact that makes Tonga unique in the Pacific and gives Tongans much pride, as well as confidence in their monarchical system. As part of cost cutting measures across the British Foreign Service, the British Government closed the British High Commission in Nuku'alofa in March 2006, transferring representation of British interests in Tonga to the UK High Commissioner in Fiji. Coconuts, vanilla, beans, bananas, coffee beans and root crops such as yarns, taro and cassava are the major cash crops. There is also a 'Explore Nuku'alofa' 2 hour walking trail flyer at the Visitor Bureau. Take account of this in navigational calculations. Tonga became independent on June 4, 1970. If your timing is good (June to November), you can sometimes spy whales cavorting beyond the reef. Learn about life in the HaÊ¿apai Group in Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean. Tonga has been a member of WTO since 27 July 2007. Tonga is surrounded by Fiji, Wallis and Futuna to the northwest; Samoa to the northeast; Niue to the east; Kermadec to the southwest; New Caledonia and Vanatu to the farther west. The summit of volcanic undersea mountains forms the two roughly parallel chains of the Tongan islands. Some of the islands composed of lava formed by shield volcanoes, such as Late and Kao, have a hard cone-shaped surface that is not easily eroded. It consists of some 170 islands divided into three main island groups: Tongatapu in the south, HaÊ¿apai in the centre, and VavaÊ¿u in the north. There are four major groups of islands: the Tongatapu, Ha'apai, Vava'u, and Niua groups. Island cliffs serve as homes for red-tailed and white-tailed tropic birds. The urban population has been steadily growing and now accounts for about one-third of the total population. Temperatures range between 60 and 70 °F (16 and 21 °C) in June and July and reach 80 °F (27 °C) in December and January. Tonga is completely surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. The economies of Pacific island countries depend heavily on tourism, which has collapsed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Visitor Bureau on Vuna Road has an extensive collection of flyers for accommodation, sights, tours etc for Tongatapu, 'Eua, Ha'apai and Vava'u. Tonga is situated east of 180° but the International Dateline makes a detour to include Tonga west of the line. On the sunset side of the island, Haâatafu Beach is a sandy slice protected by a reef, where some of Tonga's best surf peels in (experienced surfers only need apply). Country News; At a Glance; Country Data; See All Documents; Country News A resort in the southern Pacific. The low islands of the eastern chain have been capped by coral polyps and foraminifera (marine organisms that have calcareous shells), which build coral rock and limestone reefs. The main island is Tongatapu. There are not enough people who can read Tongan to make it commercially viable to publish books in Tongan, so most reading material is in English. Travellers from other countries will almost always have to go through one of these before reaching Tonga. The last resident British High Commissioner was Paul Nessling. Further Information Look for a free 'Discover Tonga' map showing the scenic sights. Transient species include golden plovers, wandering tattlers, long-billed curlews, and bar-tailed godwits. In many Polynesian languages, the word Tonga means 'south' as the archipelago is the southernmost group of islands in central Polynesia. He happened to arrive at the time of the 'inasi festival, the yearly donation of the first fruits to the Tu'i Tonga (the islands' paramount chief) and so received an invitation to the festivities. There are the local, traditional craft shops as well as the modern city malls. The highest point in Tonga, 3,389 feet (1,033 metres), is on Kao Island in the HaÊ¿apai Group. Tonga, officially Kingdom of Tonga, Tongan FakatuÊ¿i Ê¿o Tonga, also called Friendly Islands, country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. NukuÊ¿alofa has all the amenities of a capital city. The government is largely controlled by the king, his nominees, and a small group of hereditary nobles. Tonga was united under one chief in 1845. The 1875 constitution stated that the flag should never be changed. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). A local beach in the HaÊ¿apai island group, Tonga. The main ethnic group is Tongan with the remainder made up of Pacific Islanders, Europeans and Chinese. This space is often used to carry hay for the horses. The population of Tonga is approximately 104,000. Most of the islands of the western chain are classified as high islands, because they have been raised well above sea level by repeated volcanic activity. The effects of natural erosion are particularly vivid in VavaÊ¿u. The population of Tonga will be increasing by 1 persons daily in 2021. Neighbouring countries include Fiji to the west, Cook Islands to the east and Samoa north. For specific information concerning Tonga driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please contact the Consulate General of Tonga in San Francisco. Road travel . Hi we are Becky And Mahe living on Lifuka Island in Ha'apai, Tonga. Tonga became a protected state under a Treaty of Friendship with Britain on 18 May 1900, when European settlers and rival Tongan chiefs tried to oust the second king. There are no rivers in Tonga, although Ê¿Eua and Niuatoputapu have creeks. The common reef heron is a native shorebird. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The following are a list of holidays observed in Tonga: 1 Jan – New Year's Day Find information on almost all places in Tonga.Whether you are looking for information on regions in Tonga or information on cities and places in Tonga, this website is the right place in the web to start your search. 12 Jul – Birthday of the Heir to the Crown of Tonga However, oral history has survived and been recorded after the arrival of the Europeans. The Tonga Meteorological Society is another good source for information in Tonga and they have a warning service to track weather events. Rural Tongans rely on plantation and subsistence agriculture. (photo: Douglas Peebles/ Alamy) Pacific Islands Threatened by COVID-19. Entry to Tonga is severely restricted, and only travelers specially approved by the Tongan Government are allowed to return on occasional repatriation flights. The Tongan flag was originally the same as that of the Red Cross, so was changed to avoid confusion with it. Author of. Traditional structures are called fale; they are rectangular in shape and have thatched or corrugated tin roofs and sides made of woven coconut leaves, reeds, or timber. All travelers arriving into Tonga are required to quarantine for 14 days. The fast-growing toi and the tavahi constitute a majority of the tree cover on Ê¿Eua. He happened to arrive at the time of the 'inasi festival, the yearly donation of the first fruits to the Tu'i Tonga (the islands' paramount chief) and so received an invitation to the festivities. Vavaâu recorded 15715 (16%), Haâapai recorded 8138 (8%), âEua recorded 4934 (5%), and the Niuas recorded 2018 (2%). It consists of some 170 islands divided into three main island groups: Tongatapu in the south, HaÊ¿apai in the centre, and VavaÊ¿u in the north. As of 1 January 2017, the population of Tonga was estimated to be 106,776 people. Tonga is divided into four main parts: Tongatapu in the South, Haâapai Group in the center, Vavaâs ⦠Nearly the entire population is of Polynesian ancestry. According to the writer William Mariner, the chiefs wanted to kill Cook during the gathering, but could not agree on a plan. Learn about the history and culture of the Tonga., the must-try food and drink, and what to ⦠A flight from Auckland to Nuku'alofa will take around three hours; flying from Sydney will take around five hours and a trip from Los Angeles to Auckland will take approximately thirteen hours. The flag originated in the 1860's and was adopted in 1875, making it one of the world's oldest flags. It is the 175th largest country in the world in terms of area with 748 square kilometers (289 square miles). About one-third of Tongans belong to the Free Wesleyan (Methodist) Church; nearly one-fifth are Mormons; and there are smaller but significant proportions of Roman Catholics and members of the Free Church of Tonga. Some cruise ships stop in Tonga. Omissions? The Tongan language is taught in primary schools and is the official language, in addition to English, which is studied as a second language. Lengthwise, the kingdom stretches over a distance of about 800 kilometers in a north-south line located about a third of the distance from New Zealand to Hawaii. If you are travelling further, it would be a good idea to stock up on a few items before you go. In the 15th century and again in the 17th, civil war erupted. 9 Apr – Easter Monday In the 1990s a movement began aimed at curtailing the powers of the monarchy, and the Tongan Pro-Democracy Movement (TPDM) has continued to gain in popular support. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), from the Tonga Meteorological Service, in local newspapers and on Radio Tonga 1 ⦠Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans constitute the main cash crops, and other important crops include yams, taro, cassava, corn (maize), watermelons, pineapples, breadfruit, limes, and tomatoes. Ê¿Eua has the greatest number and variety of trees, and the ridge on the eastern side is a forest reserve. Tongaâs rich Christian heritage is a blessing, but has reached the point of oversaturation. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Tonga has two official languages: Tongan and English. Humidity increases as the distance from the Equator lessens. Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and the length of passages within your chosen sailing area. It has been inhabited by Polynesian peoples since 500 BC. Please select which sections you would like to print: While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Follow the link for more information on the sailing conditions. The Kingdom of Tonga is comprised of 176 islands, with 36 of them being inhabited. Travelling to Tonga is easy from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Hawaii or Los Angeles. To get a licence, contact the Ministry of Infrastructure. Thereâs sheltered swimming and snorkelling at high tide in the broad lagoon. In 1845 the ambitious young warrior, strategist, and orator Taufa'ahau united Tonga into a kingdom. Privacy. Tongaâs most exclusive beach resort is on an 18 acre palm covered atoll surrounded by coral reef under Marine Reserve status, located 7 km north of Nukuâalofa. Traffic Laws: Contact local authorities if you are involved in a road accident. Capital: NukuÊ»alofa Region: East Asia & Pacific: Coordinates: 21.1333° S, 175.2000° W Total Area (km²) It includes a country's total area, including areas under inland bodies of water and some coastal waterways. Demographics of Tonga 2020. The red cross represents the country's belief in Christianity. Intermarriage with Europeans has become more common, especially as a result of the increasing out-migration of Tongans since the 1970s. Weâre out on the ocean side of the north western peninsula (the leeward coast of Tonga Tapu) but only 45 minutes drive ⦠The manufacturing sector consists of mostly handicrafts. Tongan is a spoken rather than written language. Entry to Tonga A State of Emergency was declared on 20 March by the government of the Kingdom of Tonga, this has been renewed until 8pm on 15 ⦠More information: Travelling by boat; Going on a cruise; Driving permit. The Tongan people first encountered Europeans in 1616 when the Dutch vessel Eendracht made a short visit to the islands to trade. FonuafoÊ¿ou has arisen and disappeared repeatedly, owing to its cycles of eruption and erosion. Other ports and commercial centres are Neiafu in the VavaÊ¿u Group and Pangai in the HaÊ¿apai Group. Isolated islands include NiuafoÊ¿ou, Niuatoputapu, and Tafahi (together known as the Niuatoputapu, or Niuas, island group) in the far north and Ê¿Ata in the far south. Some Tongans reside in South Seas colonial-style wooden homes with gingerbread trim and exterior walls in pastel shades.
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