Tonga
Formerly known as the "Friendly Islands," the Kingdom of Tonga is an archipelago of 171 islands organized into three island groups (Ha'apai, Tongatapu, and Vava'u); its capital is Nuku'alofa. Tonga's total land area is 718 square kilometers (277 square miles); as of July 2003 its population was estimated at 108,141. The climate is tropical. The majority of Tonga's islands were formed through the geologic uplift of coral reefs, although some lie atop volcanic bases.
The earliest verified date of a human presence in Tonga is about 1100 B.C.E., but many believe that Polynesians have lived there for some 5,000 years. Before European contact Tongan chiefs had extended their rule to include parts of Fiji and the Cook Islands, the Samoas, Tokelau, and Niue, among other islands. Originally a group of separate island domains, the Kingdom of Tonga was united in 1845 by Taufa'ahau (1797–1893), who, having converted to Christianity, ruled under the name King George Tupou I. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875. Although the first European contacts came with the arrival of Dutch mariners in 1616, it was the British who forced Tonga to accept protectorate status in 1900. Tonga gained independence from Great Britain on June 4, 1970, and is a member of the Commonwealth. Since 1965 Tonga has been ruled by King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (b. 1918).
Tonga's economy is primarily agricultural. The kingdom imports much of its food and is dependent on aid from foreign governments and remittances from Tongans living abroad. After remittances, tourism is Tonga's largest economic sector. The government has made a significant investment in health and education, and the country has fairly well-developed social services.
The reigning monarch—a hereditary position—is head of state. There is a Privy Council consisting of the monarch, the cabinet, and the governors of Ha'apai and Vava'u. The prime minister and the deputy prime minister are appointed for life by the monarch; the cabinet is made up of twelve nobles and also is appointed by the monarch.
(MAP BY MARYLAND CARTOGRAPHICS/THE GALE GROUP)The unicameral Legislative Assembly (the Fale Alea) has thirty seats: Twelve are reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's noble families, and nine are elected by popular vote in multiseat constituencies (members serve three-year terms). The speaker of the Legislative Assembly is appointed by the monarch; all other officers are appointed by the Assembly.
Tonga's judiciary consists of a Supreme Court and a Court of Appeal, all of whose members are appointed by the monarch. There are also a Magistrate's Court and the Land Court. The legal system is based on English common law. Officially, no political parties exist, but a number of political groups exercise influence. Most significant has been the Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement, which has attempted to limit the power of the aristocracy and some of whose leaders have been harassed and/or imprisoned. In the early twenty-first century the king grew increasingly authoritarian, and in 2003 the constitution was amended to restrict freedom of the press and limit the right of courts to review royal decisions.
Bibliography
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. <http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/tong a/tonga_brief.html>.
Columbia Encyclopedia,, 6th ed. <http://www.bartleby.com/65/to/T onga.html>.
Corrin-Care, Jennifer, Tess Newton, and Don Paterson. Introduction to South Pacific Law. London: Cavendish, 1999.
Government of Tonga. <http://pmo.gov.to/>.
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