Tonga 30158 225812316 2008-07-15T14:56:26Z Chobot 259798 robot Modifying: [[be-x-old:Тонґа]] {{otheruses}} {{Infobox Country |native_name = ''Pule'anga 'o Tonga'' |conventional_long_name = Kingdom of Tonga |common_name = Tonga |image_flag = Flag of Tonga.svg |image_coat = Sila o Tonga - Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Tonga.svg |national_motto = ''"Ko e {{okina}}Otua mo Tonga ko hoku tofi{{okina}}a"''<small><br/>"God and Tonga are my Inheritance"</small> |image_map = LocationTonga.png |national_anthem = ''[[Ko e fasi 'o e tu'i 'o e 'Otu Tonga|Ko e fasi {{okina}}o e tu{{okina}}i {{okina}}o e {{okina}}Otu Tonga]]'' |official_languages = [[Tongan language|Tongan]], [[English language|English]] |demonym = Tongan |capital = [[Nukuʻalofa|Nuku{{Okina}}alofa]] |latd=21 |latm=08 |latNS=S |longd=175 |longm=12 |longEW=W |largest_city = capital |government_type = [[Constitutional Monarchy]] |leader_title1 = [[List of monarchs of Tonga|King]] |leader_name1 = [[George Tupou V]] |leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Tonga|Prime Minister]] |leader_name2 = Dr. [[Feleti Sevele]] |area_km2 = 748 |area_sq_mi = 289 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |area_rank = 186th |area_magnitude = 1 E12 |percent_water = 4.0 |population_estimate = 112,000 |population_estimate_year = July 2005 |population_estimate_rank = 194th |population_census = |population_census_year = |population_density_km2 = 153 |population_density_sq_mi = 396 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |population_density_rank = 76th<sup>1</sup> |GDP_PPP_year = 2005 |GDP_PPP = $817&nbsp;[[1 E6|million]] <!--2006 IMF--> |GDP_PPP_rank = 167th |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $7,984 |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 76th |HDI_year = 2007 |HDI = {{increase}} 0.819 |HDI_rank = 55th |HDI_category = <font color=#009900>high</font> |sovereignty_type = Independence |established_event1 = from [[United Kingdom|British]] [[protectorate]] |established_date1 = [[4 June]] [[1970]] |currency = [[Tongan pa'anga|Pa{{okina}}anga]] |currency_code = TOP |time_zone = |utc_offset = +13 |time_zone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = +13 |cctld = [[.to]] |calling_code = 676 |footnote1 = Based on 2005 figures. }} The '''Kingdom of Tonga''' ([[Tongan language|Tongan]] for ''"south"'') is an [[archipelago]] in the south Pacific Ocean comprising 169 islands, 36 of them inhabited, stretching over a distance of about 800 kilometres (500 miles) in a north-south line. The islands lie south of [[Samoa]] and are about one-third of the way from [[New Zealand]] to [[Hawaii]]. Tonga is the only surviving [[monarchy]] among the island nations of the Pacific Ocean, as well as being the only island nation never to have been formally colonized. The islands are also known as ''' the Friendly Islands''' because of the friendly reception accorded to [[Captain Cook]] on his first visit in 1773. He happened to arrive at the time of the ''{{okina}}inasi'' festival, the yearly donation of the first fruits to the [[Tu'i Tonga]], the islands' paramount chief, and was invited to the festivities. According to the writer [[William Mariner (writer)|William Mariner]], in reality the chiefs had wanted to kill Cook during the gathering, but had been unable to agree on a plan.<ref>[http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/page_10002.shtml Mr Korovulavula - Occasion of the Inaugural Flight Fiji/Tonga/Fiji Reception by Airlines Tonga], Accessed [[16 April]] [[2008]].</ref> ==History== {{main|History of Tonga|Tu'i Tonga Empire}} Archaeological evidence shows that the first settlers in Tonga sailed from the [[Santa Cruz Islands]], as part of the original [[Austronesian languages|Austronesian]]-speakers' ([[Lapita]]) migration which originated out of S.E. Asia some 6,000 years ago. Archaeological dating places Tonga as the oldest known site in [[Polynesia]] for the distinctive Lapita ceramic ware, at 2,800&ndash;2,750 years ago. The "[[Lapita]]" people lived and sailed, traded, warred, and intermarried in the islands now known as Tonga, [[Samoa]], and [[Fiji]] for 1,000 years, before more explorers set off towards the east to discover the [[Marquesas]], [[Tahiti]], and eventually the rest of the islands of the Pacific Ocean. For this reason, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji are described by anthropologists as the cradle of Polynesian culture and civilization. By the 12th century, Tongans, and the Tongan paramount chief, the [[Tu'i Tonga|Tu{{okina}}i Tonga]], were known across the Pacific, from [[Niue]] to [[Tikopia]], sparking some historians to refer to a '[[Tu'i Tonga Empire|Tongan Empire]]'. In the 15th century and again in the 17th, civil war erupted. It was in this context that the first Europeans arrived, beginning with [[Netherlands|Dutch]] explorers [[Willem Schouten]] and [[Jacob Le Maire]] in [[1616]], who called on the northern island of [[Niuatoputapu]], and [[Abel Tasman]], who visited [[Tongatapu]] and [[Ha'apai|Ha{{okina}}apai]] in [[1643]]. Later noteworthy European visits were by [[Captain Cook]] in [[1773]], [[1774]], and [[1777]], [[Alessandro Malaspina]] in [[1793]], the first London [[missionaries]] in [[1797]], and the [[Methodism|Wesleyan Methodist]] [[Walter Lawry Buller]] in [[1822]]. Tonga was united into a [[Polynesia]]n kingdom in [[1845]] by the ambitious young warrior, strategist, and orator [[Taufa'ahau|Tāufa{{okina}}āhau]]. He held the chiefly title of [[Tu'i Kanokupolu|Tu{{okina}}i Kanokupolu]], but was baptised with the name King George. In [[1875]], with the help of missionary Shirley Baker, he declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy, formally adopted the western royal style, emancipated the 'serfs', enshrined a code of law, land tenure, and freedom of the press, and limited the power of the chiefs. Tonga became a British [[protected state]] under a Treaty of Friendship on [[18 May]], [[1900]], when European settlers and rival Tongan chiefs tried to oust the second king. Within the [[British Empire]], which posted no higher permanent representative on Tonga than a British [[Consul (representative)|Consul]] (1901-1970), it was part of the [[British Western Pacific Territories]] (under a colonial [[High Commissioner]], then residing on Fiji) from 1901 until [[1952]]. The Treaty of Friendship and Tonga's protectorate status ended in 1970 under arrangements established prior to her death by Queen [[Salote Tupou III]]. Tonga joined the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] in 1970 (atypically as an autochthonous monarchy, that is one with its own hereditary monarch rather than [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]), and the [[United Nations]] in [[September 1999]]. While exposed to colonial forces, Tonga has never lost [[Indigenous peoples of Oceania|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{{okina}}alofa in [[March 2006]], transferring representation of British interests in Tonga to the UK High Commissioner in Fiji. The last resident British High Commissioner was Paul Nessling.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/03/21/wtonga21.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/03/21/ixworld.html The sun finally sets on our men in paradise], published on [[The Daily Telegraph]], [[21 March]] [[2005]].</ref>. ==Geography== {{main|Geography of Tonga}} [[Image:Tonga.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Map of Tonga]] ==Administrative divisions== Tonga is divided into 3 administrative divisions: [[Ha'apai]], [[Tongatapu]] and [[Vava'u]]. <ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tn.html Tonga]</ref> Each has its own capital; the national capital, Nukuʻalofa, is also the capital of Tongatapu. ==Politics== <!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series--> {{main|Politics of Tonga}} Tonga is a [[constitutional monarchy]]. The reverence for the monarch is likened to that held in earlier centuries for the sacred paramount chief, the Tu{{okina}}i Tonga. Criticism of the monarch is held to be contrary to Tongan culture and etiquette. A direct descendant of the first monarch, King [[George Tupou V]], his family, some powerful nobles, and a growing non-royal elite caste live in much wealth, with the rest of the country living in relative poverty. The effects of this disparity are mitigated by three factors: education, medicine, and land tenure. Tonga's [[education]] system is free and mandatory for all children up to the age of fourteen, with only nominal fees for secondary education, and foreign-funded scholarships for post-secondary education. Tongans are well-educated, with a 98% [[literacy]] rate, and higher education up to and including medical and graduate degrees. Tongans also have universal access to a socialized medicine system. Tongan land is constitutionally protected and cannot be sold to foreigners (although it may be leased). While there is a land shortage on the urbanized main island of [[Tongatapu]] (where 70% of the population resides), there is farm land available in the outlying islands. The majority of the population engages in some form of subsistence production of food, with approximately half producing almost all of their basic food needs through farming, sea harvesting, and animal husbandry. Women and men have equal access to education and health care, and are fairly equal in employment, but women are discriminated against in land holding, electoral politics, and government ministries. However, in Tongan tradition women enjoy a higher social status than men, a cultural trait that is unique among the insular societies of the Pacific. [[Image:Feleti Sevele (crop).jpg|200px|right|thumb|Prime Minister Feleti Sevele]] There is a pro-[[democracy]] movement in Tonga, which emphasizes reforms including better representation in the Parliament for the majority commoners, and better accountability in matters of state. An overthrow of the monarchy itself is not part of the movement and the institution of monarchy continues to hold popular support, even while reforms are advocated. Until recently, the governance issue was generally ignored by the leaders of other countries, but major aid donors and neighbours [[New Zealand]] and [[Australia]] are now expressing concerns about some Tongan government actions. Following the precedents of Queen Sālote, and with numerous international advisors, the government of Tonga under King Tāufa{{okina}}āhau Tupou IV has monetized the economy, internationalized the medical and education system, and enabled access by commoners to increasing forms of material wealth (houses, cars, and other commodities), education, and overseas travel. The government has supported Olympic and other international sports competition, and contributed Peacekeepers to the United Nations (notably to [[Bougainville Province|Bougainville]] and the Solomon Islands). The Tongan government also supported the American '[[coalition of the willing]]' action in Iraq, and a small number of Tongan soldiers were deployed, as part of an American force, to Iraq in late 2004. However, the contingent of 40+ troops returned home on 17 December 2004.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_orbat_coalition.htm Iraq Coalition Troops], published on GlobalSecurity, [[18 August]] [[2005]]</ref> In 2007, a second contingent was sent to Iraq while a third left Tonga in January 2008 to be part of Tonga's continuous support for the coalition. The previous king, Tāufa{{okina}}āhau and his government have made some problematic economic decisions and are accused of wasting millions of dollars in poor investments.<ref>http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/10/tonga.king.ap/index.html</ref> The problems have mostly been driven by attempts to increase national revenue through a variety of schemes, considering making Tonga a nuclear waste disposal site (an idea floated in the mid-90s by the current crown prince);<ref>[http://www.michaelfield.org/tonga3.htm December 1997<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> selling Tongan Protected Persons Passports (which eventually forced Tonga to nationalize the purchasers, sparking ethnicity-based concerns within Tonga);<ref>[http://www.frommers.com/destinations/tonga/3039020044.html Tonga : In Depth : History | Frommers.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> registering foreign ships (which proved to be engaged in illegal activities, including shipments for [[al-Qaeda]]);<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/01/13/1041990234408.html The ships that died of shame - smh.com.au<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> claiming geo-orbital satellite slots (the revenue from which seems to belong to the Princess Royal, not the state);<ref>[http://www.mendosa.com/tongasat.html Tongasat<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> holding a long-term charter on an unusable [[Boeing 757]] that was sidelined in [[Auckland]] Airport, leading to the collapse of Royal Tongan Airlines;<ref>[http://www.islandsbusiness.com/islands_business/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=3896/overideSkinName=issueArticle-full.tpl Islands Business - No Govt Support Blamed for Airline Collapse<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> building an airport hotel and potential casino with an Interpol-accused criminal;{{Fact|date=February 2007}} and approving a factory for exporting [[cigarette]]s to China (against the advice of Tongan medical officials, and decades of health promotion messaging).<ref>[http://www.tobacco.org/articles/country/tonga/ Articles:Listing Tonga<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The king has proved vulnerable to speculators with big promises and lost several million (reportedly 26 million USD) to [[Jesse Bogdonoff]], a financial adviser who called himself the king's [[jester|Court Jester]].<ref>http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/10/tonga.king.ap/index.html</ref> The police have imprisoned pro-democracy leaders, and the government repeatedly confiscated the newspaper ''The Tongan Times'' (which was printed in New Zealand and sold in Tonga) because the editor had been vocally critical of the king's mistakes.<ref>[http://www.asiapac.org.fj/PJR/issues/next/962tongan.html Pacific Journalism Review 1996 Tongan<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Notably, the ''Kele{{okina}}a'', produced specifically to critique the government and printed in Tonga by pro-democracy leader {{okina}}Akilisi Pōhiva, was not banned during that time. Pōhiva, however, had been subjected to harassment in the form of [[barratry|frequent lawsuits]].<ref>[http://166.122.164.43/archive/2002/July/07-31-21.htm Tongan Court Case Over Wrongful Imprisonment Recommences - [[July 31]], [[2002]]<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Image:Tonga gov.jpg|thumb|left|[[Royal Palace, Tonga|Royal palace of Tonga]]]] In mid-2003, the government passed a radical constitutional amendment to "Tonganize" the press, by licensing and limiting freedom of the press, so as to protect the image of the monarchy. The amendment was defended by the government and by royalists on the basis of traditional cultural values. Licensure criteria include 80% ownership by Tongans living in the country. As of February 2004, those papers denied licenses under the new act included the ''Taimi {{okina}}o Tonga'' (''Tongan Times''), the ''Kele{{okina}}a'' and the ''Matangi Tonga'', while those which were permitted licenses were uniformly church-based or pro-government. The bill was opposed in the form of a several-thousand-strong protest march in the capital, a call by the Tu{{okina}}i Pelehake (a prince, nephew of the king and elected member of parliament) for Australia and other nations to pressure the Tongan government to democratize the electoral system, and a legal writ calling for a judicial investigation of the bill. The latter was supported by some 160 signatories, including seven of the nine elected "People's Representatives". The strong-arm tactics and gaffes have overshadowed the good that the aged king had done in his lifetime, as well as the many beneficial reforms of his son, {{okina}}Aho{{okina}}eitu {{okina}}Unuaki{{okina}}otonga Tuku{{okina}}aho (Lavaka Ata {{okina}}Ulukālala), who was Prime Minister from [[3 January]] [[2000]] to [[11 February]] [[2006]]. The former Crown Prince and current monarch, Tupouto{{okina}}a, and Pilolevu, the Princess Royal, remained generally silent on the issue. In total, the changes threatened to destabilize the polity, fraction support for the status quo, and place further pressure on the monarchy. In 2005 the government spent several weeks negotiating with striking civil service workers before reaching a settlement. The civil unrest that ensued was not limited to just Tonga; protests outside the king's New Zealand residence made headlines, too. A constitutional commission is currently (2005-06) studying proposals to update the constitution.<ref>[http://www.tvnz.co.nz/view/page/506420/607689 No resolution in sight in Tonga], published on [[TVNZ]], [[30 August]] [[2005]]</ref> Prime Minister Prince [['Aho'eitu 'Unuaki'otonga Tuku'aho|{{okina}}Aho{{okina}}eitu {{okina}}Unuaki{{okina}}otonga Tuku{{okina}}aho (Lavaka Ata {{okina}}Ulukālala)]] resigned suddenly on [[11 February]] [[2006]], and also gave up his other cabinet portfolios. He was replaced in the interim by the elected Minister of Labour, Dr [[Feleti Sevele]]. The co-chairman of the constitutional reform commission His Royal Highness [[Tu'ipelehake ('Uluvalu)|{{okina}}Uluvalu]] (Prince Tuipelehake), 55, who was a nephew of the King, and his wife, Kaimana Aleamotu{{okina}}a, 45, were killed by an 18-year old female teenager driving a [[Ford Mustang]] as she was racing in a California freeway near Menlo Park about 30 miles south of [[San Francisco]], California, on [[5 July]] [[2006]]. The teenager was reported to have been travelling around 100mph upon hitting the red Ford Explorer carrying the two and also instantly killing the driver of the Explorer. The teenager was not hurt in the accident. The Tongan government formally announced on Monday, [[11 September]] [[2006]] that King Tupou IV died late Sunday night in Mercy Hospital in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]], where he had been receiving treatment for much of the past year. He was 88 and had reigned for 41 years.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/v/BXSEUXPs0bU The king's death as reported on Fijian TV][http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/09/10/asia/AS_GEN_Tonga_New_King.php]</ref> He was succeeded by his eldest son, Tupouto{{okina}}a, now ruling under the title Siaosi Tupou V. The public expected some changes under the new monarch. On [[2006 Tonga riots|November 16, 2006, rioting broke out]] in the capital city of Nuku'alofa when it seemed that the parliament would adjourn for the year without having made any advances in increasing democracy in government. Pro-democracy activists burned and looted shops, offices, and government buildings. As a result, more than 60% of the downtown area was destroyed, and as many as 6 people died. <ref>[http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/riot161106.shtml Riots]</ref> The coronation of King George Tupou V is scheduled for July and will include three coronation balls, a military parade, traditional dancing, a fireworks display, a rugby match and an open-air concert. Tonga has started planning lavish celebrations for the coronation of its [[University of Oxford|Oxford educated]], [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst|Sandhurst trained]] king, George Tupou V, a flamboyant character who enjoys being driven around the islands in a London [[black cab]]. The festivities in the ancient kingdom, the last remaining [[Polynesian]] monarchy, are scheduled for July and will include three coronation balls, a military parade, traditional dancing, a fireworks display, a rugby match and an open-air concert. London tailors have designed the king's ceremonial robes and the uniforms of court officials, and a gold sceptre has been cast for the occasion. Reportedly, it is similar to the Queen's. About 1,400 guests, including members of most European and Asian [[royal families]] as well as world leaders, will attend the coronation and there are unconfirmed reports that [[Elton John]], [[Mick Jagger]], [[Elle Macpherson]] and [[Sean Connery]] are on the guest list. <ref>[http://www.tongacoronation.com/ Tonga Coronation]</ref> The Rugby Match will have 15 players from Tonga and 15 International World players from [[England]], [[Scotland]], [[South Africa]], Australia and [[New Zealand]]. ===Kings and queens of modern Tonga=== {{List of Tongan Monarchs}} ==Economy== {{main|Economy of Tonga|Prehistoric Tongan economy}} [[Image:Coin tonga.JPG|thumb|A Tongan coin, see also: [[Tongan pa'anga|pa{{okina}}anga]]]] Tonga's economy is characterized by a large non monetary sector and a heavy dependence on remittances from the half of the country's population that lives abroad, chiefly in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The monetary sector of the economy is dominated and largely owned by the royal family and nobles. This is particularly true of the telecommunications and satellite services. Much of small business, particularly retail establishments on Tongatapu, is now dominated by recent [[overseas Chinese|Chinese]] immigrants who arrived under a cash-for-passports scheme that ended in 1998. The manufacturing sector consists of [[cottage industry|handicrafts]] and a few other very small scale industries, all of which contribute only about 3% of GDP. Commercial business activities also are inconspicuous and, to a large extent, are dominated by the same large trading companies found throughout the South Pacific. In September 1974, the country's first commercial trading bank, the Bank of Tonga, opened. There are no Patent Laws in Tonga. [http://www.billanderson.com.au/Gazetteer-Patents.htm] Rural Tongans rely on [[plantation]] and [[subsistence agriculture]]. [[Coconut]]s, [[vanilla bean]]s, [[banana]]s and root crops such as yams, taro and cassava, are the major [[cash crop]]s. The processing of coconuts into copra and [[desiccation|desiccated]] (dried) coconut was once the only significant industry but deteriorating prices on the world market has brought this once vibrant industry, as everywhere throughout the island nations of the south Pacific, to a complete standstill. Pigs and poultry are the major types of [[livestock]]. Horses are kept for draft purposes, primarily by farmers working their 'api 'uta (a plot of bushland). More cattle are being raised, and beef imports are declining. The export of squash to Japan once brought relief to a struggling economy but recently local farmers are increasingly wary of this market due to price fluctuations, not to mention the huge financial risks involved. Tonga's development plans emphasize a growing private sector, upgrading agricultural productivity, revitalizing the squash and vanilla bean industries, developing tourism, and improving the island's communications and transportation systems. Substantial progress has been made, but much work remains to be done. A small but growing construction sector is developing in response to the inflow of aid monies and remittances from Tongans abroad. It remains to be said that the most significant contributor to Tonga's economy are remittances from Tongans living abroad. In recognition of such a crucial contribution, the present Tongan government has created a new department within the Prime Minister's Office with the sole purpose of catering for the needs of Tongans living abroad. Furthermore, the Tongan Parliament in 2007 amended citizenship laws to allow Tongans especially those living overseas to hold dual citizenship. Efforts are being made to discover ways to diversify. One hope is seen in [[fishery|fisheries]]; tests have shown that sufficient skipjack tuna pass through Tongan waters to support a fishing industry. Another potential development activity is exploitation of [[forest]]s, which cover 35% of the kingdom's land area but are decreasing as land is cleared. Coconut trees past their prime bearing years also provide a potential source of [[timber]]. The tourist industry is relatively undeveloped; however, the government recognizes that tourism can play a major role in economic development, and efforts are being made to increase this source of revenue. Cruise ships often stop in Nuku{{okina}}alofa and Vava{{okina}}u. Vava'u in fact is well known for its whale watching, game fishing, surfing, beaches and the like and is increasingly becoming a major player in the South Pacific tourism market. Real estate companies have also just started to spring up in Tonga; as such, they were basically unheard of less than a decade ago. These have provided a way of making income for many Tongans as nearly every male Tongan has plots of land that he has never seen and the leasing of this valuable and attractive land allows the Tongan to live in a comfort not experienced before. There are also many Tongans who work as commission agents and earn a living by finding available land parcels and bringing them to local ex-pats or computer savvy Tongans to list on-line. Some of these so-called real estate companies have done more harm than good and one would be wise to be careful when dealing with them, however for the most part acquiring real estate in Tonga is a simple, straight forward and hassle free process.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} In 2005 the country became eligible to become a member of the [[World Trade Organization]], however on [[25 July]] 2006 it was announced that Tonga has deferred its membership of the WTO until July next year according to the Tongan Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele. The delay he said did not mean that Tonga was withdrawing its WTO membership application, but to give Tonga more time to improve its tariff system. ==Demographics== {{main|Demographics of Tonga}} Almost two-thirds of the 112,422 inhabitants of the Kingdom of Tonga live on its main island, Tongatapu. Although an increasing number of Tongans have moved into the only urban and commercial centre, Nuku{{okina}}alofa, where European and indigenous cultural and living patterns have blended, village life and kinship ties continue to be important throughout the country. Everyday life is heavily influenced by Polynesian traditions and especially by the Christian faith; for example, all commerce and entertainment activities cease from midnight Saturday until midnight Sunday, and the constitution declares the Sabbath to be sacred, forever. The great majority of Tongans are Methodists <ref>(cf. Ernst, Manfred/ Winds of Change. Suva: PCC, 1994, p. 146)</ref> with a [[Roman Catholic Church in Tonga|significant Catholic minority]] and a growing Mormon adherence. The official figures from the latest government census of 2006 shows that the four major church affiliations in the kingdom currently stand as follows: Free Wesleyans (38,052 or 37%); Mormons (17,109 or 17%); Catholics (15,992 or 16%); Free Church of Tonga (11,599 or 11%). By their own church statistics, [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Mormons]] claim 48 percent of the population to substantiate their claim that Tonga is the most Mormon nation in the world.<ref>Wakeley, Alan B. "LDS Newsroom" ''LDS Church Statistical Information: Tonga'', [[May25]], [[2008]] [http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/contact-us/tonga]</ref> Tongans, [[Polynesian]] by ethnicity with a very small mixture of [[Melanesia]]n, represent more than 98% of the inhabitants. The rest are [[European ethnic groups|European]], mixed European, and other [[Pacific Islanders]]. There also are several hundred [[Overseas Chinese|Chinese]]. Primary education between ages 6 and 14 is compulsory and free in state schools. Mission schools provide about 8% of the primary and 90% of the secondary level of education. State schools make up for the rest. Higher education includes teacher training, nursing and medical training, a small private university, a women's business college, and a number of private agricultural schools. Most higher education is pursued overseas. The [[Tongan language]] is the official language of the islands, along with [[English language|English]]. Tongan is an [[Austronesian]] language which is closely related to Wallisian ([[Fakauvea|Uvean]]), [[Niuean language|Niuean]] and other [[Polynesian languages]] such as [[Hawaiian language|Hawaiian]] and [[Samoan language|Samoan]]. 70% of Tongan women aged 15-85 are obese. Tonga and nearby [[Nauru]] have the world’s fattest populations [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article3386817.ece]. ==Culture and Diaspora== {{main|Culture of Tonga}} [[Image:Faikava.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Kava culture]]]] Tonga has been inhabited for perhaps 3,000 years, since settlement in late [[Lapita]] times. The [[culture]] of its inhabitants has surely changed greatly over this long time period. Before the arrival of European explorers in the late 1600s and early 1700s, the Tongans were in frequent contact with their nearest Oceanic neighbors, [[Fiji]] and [[Samoa]]. In the 1800s, with the arrival of Western traders and missionaries, Tongan culture changed dramatically. Some old beliefs and habits were thrown away, and others adopted. Some accommodations made in the 1800s and early 1900s are now being challenged by changing Western civilization. Contemporary Tongans often have strong ties to overseas lands. Many Tongans have emigrated to [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], and the [[United States]] to seek employment and a higher standard of living. U.S. cities with significant Tongan American populations include [[Portland, Oregon]]; [[Anchorage, Alaska]]; [[San Mateo, California]]; [[East Palo Alto, California]]; [[Oakland, California]]; [[Los Angeles, California]]; [[Salt Lake City, Utah]]; [[Honolulu, Hawaii]]; [[Reno, Nevada]], and [[Euless, Texas]] (in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex). Large Tongan communities can also be found in [[Auckland, New Zealand]] and in [[Sydney, Australia]]. This Tongan [[diaspora]] is still closely tied to relatives at home, and a significant portion of Tonga's income derives from remittances to family members (often aged) who prefer to remain in Tonga. Tongans, therefore, often have to operate in two different contexts, which they often call ''anga fakatonga'', the traditional Tongan way, and ''anga fakapãlangi'', the Western way. A culturally adept Tongan learns both sets of rules and when to switch between them. ==Sport== {{see also|Sport in Tonga}} [[Rugby union]] is the national sport in Tonga, and the [[Tonga national rugby union team|national team]] ('Ikale Tahi or Sea Eagles) has performed quite well on the international stage. Although the national team has not performed as well as neighboring [[Samoa]] and [[Fiji]], Tonga has competed at four [[Rugby World Cup]]s, the first being in [[1987 Rugby World Cup|1987]]. The [[2007 Rugby World Cup]] was its most successful to date, with Tonga winning both of its first two matches, against the [[United States national rugby union team|USA]] 25-15 and [[Samoa national rugby union team|Samoa]] 19-15; and came very close to upsetting the eventual winners of the 2007 tournament, the South African Springboks, losing 30-25 in the end. They then lost to England 36-20 in their last pool game to end their hopes of making the knockout stages but were by no means disgraced. In fact, by picking up third place in their pool games behind South Africa and England, Tonga has since been rewarded with automatic qualification for the 2011 Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand. Its best result prior to 2007 was in [[1995 Rugby World Cup|1995]] when they won one game beating Ivory Coast 29-11, and [[1999 Rugby World Cup|1999]] when they won one game beating Italy 28-25 (although with only 14 men they lost heavily to England in 1999, 10-101). Tonga performs the '[[Sipi Tau]]' (war dance) before its matches. Tonga used to compete in the [[Pacific Tri-Nations]] against Samoa and Fiji which has now been replaced by the [[Pacific Nations Cup|IRB Pacific 6 Nations]] involving as well Japan, the second string [[All Blacks]] (Junior All Blacks) and [[Wallabies]] (Australia A) although from 2008 the Junior All Blacks would be replaced by the Maori All Blacks. At club level, there are the [[Datec Cup Provincial Championship]] and the [[Pacific Rugby Cup]]. Rugby union is governed by the [[Tonga Rugby Football Union]], which is also a member of the [[Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance]]. Tonga contributes to the [[Pacific Islanders rugby union team]]. [[Jonah Lomu]], [[Viliami Ofahengaue|Viliami (William) 'Ofahengaue]] and [[George Smith (rugby player)|George Smith]] are all of Tongan descent. Rugby is popular in the nation's schools and students from schools such as [[Tupou College]] are regularly offered scholarships from New Zealand, Australia and [[Japan]]. It should be added, however, that many players of Tongan descent also make it big in the Australian [[National Rugby League]] competition. These include Willy Mason, Brent Kite, [[Willie Tonga]], Anthony Tupou, Antonio Kaufusi, Israel Folau, to name but a few. Tongan [[Boxing|Boxer]] [[Paea Wolfgram]] won the silver medal in the Super Heavyweight division (> 91kg) at the 1996 Atlanta [[Summer Olympics]]. To date, he remains the only Pacific islander to ever win a medal at the Olympics. Tongan women are known for being skillful jugglers [http://juggling.org/]. ==Recent Developments== In July 2006, two members of the Tongan Royal Family, Prince Tu'ipelehake and his wife, were killed along with their driver in San Francisco, when their car was hit by a driver participating in a street race. The driver was convicted of three counts of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in June and sentenced on [[August 24]] 2007, to two years in county jail for her participation in the deaths of the prince, princess, and their driver.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/25/tongaroyals.killed.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories |title=Teen sentenced for crash that killed Tongan Royals |dateaccessed=08252007}}</ref> ==Miscellany== *On either his 1773 or 1777 visit, [[Captain Cook]] presented a [[tortoise]] to the king. This [[tortoise]], known thereafter as [[Tui Malila|Tu{{okina}}i Malila]], lived to be either 188 or 192 years old. It was listed in the [[Guinness Book of World Records]] as the oldest [[animal]] (kingdom Animalia) on record. *The late king of Tonga (Tupou IV) had for some time been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the heaviest monarch in the world. *Tonga is famous as the location where [[Fletcher Christian]] forced [[William Bligh]] into an open boat during the mutiny on [[HMS Bounty]] (1789). Bligh briefly went ashore at Tofua, which was then heavily populated, in search of water. The Tongans fought Bligh and killed a member of his crew, forcing Bligh back out into the open ocean. Bligh and his small crew eventually made their way to the [[Dutch East Indies]], setting a record for the longest voyage in an open boat (3618 nautical miles / 6701 km). *In 1972, the military of Tonga took over the territory of the [[micronation]] [[Republic of Minerva]], which had created an artificial island on the Minerva reefs. Tonga's claim has since been disputed by neighboring [[Fiji]], as well as by a group claiming to be the "government in exile" of the [[Principality of Minerva]]. *In [[Wil McCarthy]]'s ''[[The Queendom of Sol]]'', a series of [[science fiction]] novels, the Queen of Sol is said to be a descendant of the Tongan royal family. *The [[Walt Disney]] film ''[[The Other Side of Heaven]]'', is based on the real life story of a young (Mormon) missionary in Tonga, though the film was shot on location in the [[Cook Islands]]. *Tonga has more PhDs per capita than any other country <ref>Islands Business, vol. 32, no. 10, October 2006, p. 10</ref>. *The members of the R&B/dance group [[The Jets (1980s pop band)|The Jets]], which scored a number of US hits in the 1980s, are originally from Tonga although most of the group were born in the US. They are all children of Maikeli and Vake Wolfgramm, both of whom migrated to the United States in the early 1960's. *Fictional [[Summer Heights High]] character Jonah Takalua is from Tonga, created by Australian comedian [[Chris Lilley]]. *[[Craig Ferguson]] commented on [[The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson|The Late Late Show]] about Tonga's Independence day instead of the end of the [[United States Democratic presidential candidates, 2008|Democratic Primary results]].<ref> [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-z3v7ZLWSc&feature=related youtube.com clip]</ref> ==See also== {{columns |col1width=230px |col1 = * [[2006 Tonga earthquake]] * [[2006 Tonga riots]] * [[2007 Tonga earthquake]] * [[Geography of Tonga]] * [[Communications in Tonga]] * [[Culture of Tonga]] |col2width=220px |col2 = * [[Foreign relations of Tonga]] * [[Kava culture]] * [[Music of Tonga]] * [[Tonga branch of The Scout Association]] * [[Tonga Defence Services|Military of Tonga]] * [[Tongan creation myth]] |col3width=250px |col3 = * [[Tongan economy prehistory]] * [[Transportation in Tonga]] * [[Tu'i Tonga Empire]] * [[Tupenu]] * [[William Mariner (writer)|William Mariner ]] accounts of pre-Christian Tonga. }} ==References==<!-- Journal of World Prehistory 12 (3): 337-392 --> <div class="references-small">{{reflist}}</div> ==External links== {{sisterlinks|Tonga}} *[https://cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tn.html CIA World Factbook: Tonga] *[http://matangitonga.to/article/global_index.shtml/ Matangi Tonga - National magazine] *[http://www.tongachamber.org Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry] *[http://finance.gov.to Ministry of Finance, Kingdom of Tonga] *[http://lands.gov.to Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources, Kingdom of Tonga] *[http://reservebank.to National Reserve Bank of Tonga, Kingdom of Tonga] *[http://govt.to/ Official Tongan Government Portal] *[http://dmoz.org/Regional/Oceania/Tonga Open Directory Project - ''Tonga'' Open Directory] *[http://tonga.worldlegislation.com/cms/home.html Tonga Legislation] *[http://www.tongacoronation.com Tonga Coronation of King George Tupou V] {{Template group |title = Geographic locale |list = {{Polynesia}} {{Countries and territories of Oceania}} }} {{Template group |title = International membership |list = {{Commonwealth of Nations}} {{Monarchies|state=collapsed}} {{Austronesian-speaking}} }} [[Category:Tonga| ]] [[Category:Polynesia]] [[Category:Island countries]] [[Category:Volcanic arcs]] [[Category:Constitutional monarchies]] [[Category:Former British protectorates]] [[Category:Members of the Commonwealth of Nations]] [[ar:تونجا]] [[an:Tonga]] [[frp:Tonga]] [[ast:Tonga]] [[zh-min-nan:Tonga]] [[be-x-old:Тонґа]] [[bs:Tonga]] [[br:Tonga]] [[bg:Тонга]] [[ca:Tonga]] [[ceb:Tonga]] [[cs:Tonga]] [[cy:Tonga]] [[da:Tonga]] [[de:Tonga]] [[dv:ޓޮންގާ]] [[et:Tonga]] [[el:Τόνγκα]] [[es:Tonga]] [[eo:Tongo]] [[eu:Tonga]] [[fa:تونگا]] [[fr:Tonga]] [[ga:Tonga]] [[gv:Yn Tongey]] [[gd:Tonga]] [[gl:Tonga]] [[ko:통가]] [[hr:Tonga]] [[io:Tonga]] [[bpy:টঙ্গা]] [[id:Tonga]] [[os:Тонгæ]] [[is:Tonga]] [[it:Tonga]] [[he:טונגה]] [[jv:Tonga]] [[pam:Tonga]] [[kn:ಟೋಂಗಾ]] [[ka:ტონგა]] [[ks:टोंगा]] [[kk:Тонга]] [[kw:Tonga]] [[sw:Tonga]] [[ht:Tonga]] [[ku:Tonga]] [[la:Tonga]] [[lv:Tonga]] [[lt:Tonga]] [[lij:Tonga]] [[li:Tonga]] [[hu:Tonga]] [[ms:Tonga]] [[nah:Tonga]] [[nl:Tonga (land)]] [[ja:トンガ]] [[no:Tonga]] [[nn:Tonga]] [[oc:Tònga]] [[uz:Tonga]] [[ps:ټونګا]] [[pms:Tònga]] [[nds:Tonga]] [[pl:Tonga]] [[pt:Tonga]] [[crh:Tonga]] [[ty:To’a]] [[ro:Tonga]] [[qu:Tunga]] [[ru:Тонга]] [[se:Tonga]] [[sm:Toga]] [[sa:टोंगा]] [[sco:Tonga]] [[sq:Tonga]] [[scn:Tonga]] [[simple:Tonga]] [[sk:Tonga]] [[sl:Tonga]] [[sr:Тонга]] [[sh:Tonga]] [[fi:Tonga]] [[sv:Tonga]] [[tl:Tonga]] [[ta:தொங்கா]] [[th:ประเทศตองกา]] [[vi:Tonga]] [[tg:Тонга]] [[tpi:Tonga]] [[to:Tonga]] [[tr:Tonga]] [[uk:Тонга]] [[ur:ٹونگا]] [[vo:Tonguäns]] [[wo:Tonga]] [[ts:Tonga]] [[diq:Tonga]] [[bat-smg:Tuonga]] [[zh:東加]]