What is Tonga famous for?

What is Tonga famous for?

The Pacific Ocean Ok, so the Pacific Ocean is quite a big place, but we mention it as Tonga is arguably most famous for its whale swimming experiences. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can legally swim with humpback whales.

How does Tonga get power?

All grid-supplied electricity, which accounts for over 98% of electricity used in Tonga, is generated using imported diesel fuel. The Tongan economy and electricity consumers have been exposed to high and volatile electricity prices linked to oil prices over the last ten years.

What are some unique features of Tonga?

Tonga’s high volcanic and low coral forms give the islands a unique character. Some volcanoes are still active and Falcon Island in the Vava’u group is a submerged volcano that erupts periodically, its lava and ash rising above sea level forming a visible island which disappears when the eruption is over.

Why is Tonga so special?

This is partly because Tonga is the only Pacific Island nation never colonised by a foreign power. Uniquely, Tonga has also never lost its indigenous governance. After over 1000 years of rule, today’s monarchy and its structure still remain the most powerful and influential entity in Tonga.

Is Tonga a poor country?

The Polynesian Kingdom of Tonga is home to around 102,000 people. The poverty rate in Tonga is 22.1 percent; in other words, one out of every five Tongans lives below the poverty line. Among the eight nations in the Pacific region, Tonga has the third lowest poverty rate, proceeded by the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

What race are Tongan?

Polynesian
Tongans, who are ethnically Polynesian with a mixture of Melanesian, account for over 98% of the inhabitants of the country. 1.5% are mixed Tongans, while the rest are European, particularly British, mixed European or other Pacific Islander.

What are three interesting facts about Tonga?

Interesting facts about Tonga

• Tonga is an archipelago of 169 islands of which only 36 are inhabited.
• Tonga is the only Pacific country which was never colonised.
• Tonga is the home of the humpback whales.
• Sunday is a day of rest in Tonga.
• British explorer James Cook visited Tonga in 1773.

What country owns Tonga?

U.S.-TONGA RELATIONS The Kingdom of Tonga was a protected state of the United Kingdom until 1970. It is the South Pacific’s last Polynesian kingdom, a constitutional hereditary monarchy.

What do people in Tonga do to make money?

According to the CIA World Factbook, The Tongan economy’s base is agriculture, which contributes 30% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand.

Where is a Tongan person from?

Tongans are of Polynesian ancestry, closely related to Samoans and sharing a small portion of Melanesian influence from neighbours Fiji. Their settlement in Tonga dates back to the Lapita time, some 3,000 years ago.

Is Tonga a US ally?

The United States and Tonga enjoy close cooperation on a range of international issues. Hence the United States has put little or no pressure on Tonga, its military ally, to become a democracy. Trade between the U.S. and Tonga is relatively low, but it has seen a steady increase in recent years.

Is Tonga a poor or rich country?

The poverty rate in Tonga is 22.1 percent; in other words, one out of every five Tongans lives below the poverty line. Among the eight nations in the Pacific region, Tonga has the third lowest poverty rate, proceeded by the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

What kind of language do Tongans speak?

Most Tongans speak either Tongan or English. Nuku’alofa is the capitol and is said to mean “abode of love.” Tonga is an ancient Polynesian island nation, its recorded history dating back as far as 900 BC. Sea farers considered the island chain to be the gateway to Polynesia. It’s also referred to as the friendly islands.

What are some interesting facts about the country Tonga?

Important and Interesting Facts about Tonga Tonga is a Polynesian sovereign state and archipelago comprising 176 islands with a surface area of about 750 square kilometres (290 sq mi) scattered over 700,000 square kilometres (270,000 sq mi) of the southern Pacific Ocean.

What kind of technology does Samoa export to Fiji?

In 2013, the majority of Fijian high-tech exports were pharmaceutical products (84%), whereas Samoa exports mainly scientific instruments (86%) and Kiribati non-electrical machinery (79%). Armaments make up 92% of high-exports from the Solomon Islands.

How many islands are there in the Tonga Islands?

Located in Oceania, Tonga is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, directly south of Samoa and about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. Its 169 islands, 36 of them inhabited, are divided into three main groups – Vava’u, Ha’apai, and Tongatapu – and cover an 800-kilometre…