Country
Countries A-Z
Tonga
Kingdom of Tonga
Fakatu'i 'o Tonga
Political Status: Constitutional monarchy; independent within the Commonwealth since June 4, 1970.
Area: 289 sq. mi. (748 sq. km.).
Population: 97,784 (1996C); 102,500 (2005E).
Major Urban Center (2005E): NUKU'ALOFA (39,300).
Official Languages: Tongan, English.
Monetary Unit: Pa'anga (official rate July 1, 2006: 2.06 pa'anga = $1US).
Head of State: (See headnote.) King TAUFA'AHAU TUPOU IV; succeeded to the throne December 16, 1965, on the death of his mother, Queen SALOTE TUPOU; crowned July 4, 1967.
Heir to the Throne: Crown Prince TUPOUTO'A.
Prime Minister: Feleti (Fred) SEVELE; appointed by the king on March 31, 2006, following acting appointment to succeed Prince ‘ULUKALALA Lavaka Ata, who had resigned on February 11.
The Country
Note: King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of Tonga died at age 88 on September 10, 2006, in a hospital in ...