Country and Culture

Economy and Government

Since the adoption of its constitution in 1875, Tonga has been ruled by a monarch whose heirs are entitled to perpetual succession to the throne. The government consists of an executive branch headed by a Privy Council, the unicameral Legislative Assembly (or Parliament), and a judiciary.

Tonga is a member of the Pacific Forum and the Pacific Conference, both important regional bodies. In 1975, Tonga developed economic and political ties with the European Economic Community and with a variety of African, Caribbean, and Pacific nations. It became a full member of the United Nations in 2000.

The most obvious benefit to Tonga from its widening association with other countries has been the inflow of foreign aid from developed countries and international agencies. This aid has enabled the kingdom to improve social services and to construct of essential infrastructure.

Agriculture and fishing are the mainstays of the Tongan economy. The main agricultural products are various types of taro, yams, cassavas, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and fruits and vegetables such as watermelons, papayas, pineapples, mangoes, tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers. The main cash crops are kavas and vanilla beans. The major imports are textiles, building materials, petroleum products, vehicles, and food. Remittances from Tongans living abroad continue to play a significant role in the economy over the past decade.

Culture

Tongans have a well-developed sense of community based on a close-knit, extended family unit and a close affiliation to their church. Members of Tongan families take care of one another almost unconditionally. One's immediate family includes grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. In many cases, the entire family works together to plant, harvest, cook, and fish. Children commonly live with parents or grandparents after marriage; it is quite uncommon for single adult children to live independently of their families.

Religion is woven into almost every aspect of daily life. Tongans attend church regularly and bless each meal, meeting, and event with a prayer.

Some elements of Tonga's rich traditional culture are still prevalent today, including the wearing of the ta'ovala, a decorative woven mat that is tied around the waist. There are certain ta'ovala for each occasion, determined by the nature of the work one does and one's social status. Volunteers are usually given a ta'ovala by their host families, and wearing one in professional and religious settings earns Volunteers the respect of community members.

Another traditional element of Tongan culture that is still celebrated today is dance, which can be traced as far back as the 15th century. No celebration in Tonga is complete without some form of dancing, and impromptu dances are common to Tonga and other islands in the Pacific.

Geography and Climate

The Kingdom of Tonga consists of 171 islands, 36 of which are inhabited, and is spread over 360,000 square kilometers of ocean. The total land area is only 748 square kilometers (about the same size as Dallas, Texas). About 77 percent of the total land area is arable, the highest percentage in the world.

Tonga lies three degrees east of the International Dateline and would have been a day behind Fiji and New Zealand, who are just west of the Dateline. However, to include Tonga in the same time zone as its neighbors, the International Dateline is bent just east of Tonga. For this reason, Tonga is the first country in the world to welcome each new day.

Tonga's climate can be described as mild to warm, humid and moderately wet. Throughout the year there is no real difference in temperature, but there is a distinct wet and dry season. The hot wet season is from December to May with temperatures ranging from 77 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit. The months of May to November are the cool dry season. The average temperature ranges from 71 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The cyclone season is from October through April.

Last updated Sep 28 2008