Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom in the South Pacific Ocean. It is located east of Fiji and south of Samoa. The country is made up of 169 islands, 36 of which are inhabited. The largest island is Tongatapu, where the capital city, Nuku'alofa, is located.

Tonga is a constitutional monarchy, with the King as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. The country's economy is heavily dependent on agriculture and fisheries, as well as remittances from Tongans living abroad.

Tonga has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its unique Polynesian traditions, including kava ceremonies, traditional dance, and intricate woven mats and baskets. The country is also famous for its rugby team, the Tonga Ikale Tahi, which has achieved notable success on the international stage.

Tourism is an important industry in Tonga, with visitors attracted by the country's natural beauty, pristine beaches, and rich cultural traditions. The country is also a popular destination for whale watching, as it is one of the few places in the world where visitors can swim with humpback whales in their natural habitat.

Tonga is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Pacific Islands Forum, and several other international organizations. The country is known for its commitment to environmental conservation, including the protection of marine resources and the promotion of sustainable tourism.

Telephone Code
676

Local Emergency Phone
911

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)

Currency (Code)
Pa'anga (TOP)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
240 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): I

Major Languages
Tongan, English

Major Religions
Protestant 64.1%, Mormon 18.6%, Roman Catholic 14.2%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Left

Tourist Destinations
Nuku'alofa; Ha'atafu Beach; Mapu'a 'a Vaea Blowholes; Pangaimotu Island

Major Sports
Rugby, soccer, American football, boxing

Cultural Practices
Being excessively loud in public is considered very rude.

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping in restaurants is not the norm for locals, but most tourists leave a little tip to waiters to show their appreciation. It is not customary to tip in hotels in Tonga.

Souvenirs
Hand-woven tapa cloth, woven pandanus mats and baskets, coconut-shell handicrafts, model canoes, silver-inlaid jewelry and knives, collectable coins and stamps

Traditional Cuisine
ʻOta ʻika — fresh, raw fish marinated in coconut milk and citrus juice; later the fish is typically combined with vegetables including tomatoes, green onions, cucumbers, and hot peppers

Geography
Area
total: 747 sq km
land: 717 sq km
water: 30 sq km

Climate
tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)

Natural resources
arable land, fish

People and Society
Population
105,221 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Tongan 97%, part-Tongan 0.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified <0.1% (2016 est.)

Languages
Tongan and English 76.8%, Tongan, English, and other language 10.6%, Tongan only (official) 8.7%, English only (official) 0.7%, other 1.7%, none 2.2% (2016 est.)

Religions
Protestant 64.1% (includes Free Wesleyan Church 35%, Free Church of Tonga 11.9%, Church of Tonga 6.8%, Assembly of God 2.3%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.2%, Tokaikolo Christian Church 1.6%, other 4.3%), Church of Jesus Christ 18.6%, Roman Catholic 14.2%, other 2.4%, none 0.5%, unspecified 0.1% (2016 est.)

Population growth rate
-0.3% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
constitutional monarchy

Capital
name: Nuku'alofa

Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income Pacific island economy; enormous diaspora and remittance reliance; key tourism and agricultural sectors; major fish exporter; rapidly growing Chinese infrastructure investments; rising methamphetamine hub

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$651.247 million (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$6,100 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
coconuts, gourds, cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables, yams, taro, roots/tubers nes, plantains, lemons/limes

Industries
tourism, construction, fishing

Exports
$58.745 million (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
United States 38%, South Korea 18%, Australia 14%, New Zealand 14%, Japan 6%, (2019)

Exports - commodities
squash, fish, various fruits and nuts, antiques, coral and shells (2019)

Imports
$285.675 million (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
Fiji 29%, New Zealand 23%, China 14%, United States 8%, Australia 6%, Japan 6% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, poultry meats, audio equipment, mutton, goat meat, broadcasting equipment (2019)