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: 107,000 (2016E—UN); 106,513 (2016E—U.S. Census).
Major Urban Center (2014E—UN): NUKU’ALOFA (25,000).
Official Languages: Tongan, English.
Monetary Unit: Pa’anga (official rate October 1, 2016: 2.17 pa’anga = $1US).
Head of State: King TUPOU VI; succeeded to the throne following the death of his father, King SIAOSI (GEORGE) TUPOU V, on March 18, 2012.
Crown Prince (Heir to the Throne): TUPOUTOU’A ‘ULUKALALA (eldest son of the king).
Prime Minister: ‘Akilisi POHIVA; appointed (upon the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly) by the king on December 30, 2014, to succeed Lord TU’IVAKANO following the legislative elections of November 27.
The Country
Located south of Samoa in the Pacific Ocean, Tonga (also known as the Friendly ...