Tonga is the only nation in the South Pacific that has never been colonized by a European power. The Kingdom of Tonga is a sovereign nation consisting of 176 coral and volcanic islands covering an area of the South Pacific that covers more than 270,000 square miles. Only 45 of these islands are inhabited, and more than 70% of its population lives on the largest island of Tongatapu.
Tonga is west of Niue, southwest of American Samoa, south of Samoa, southeast of Wallis and Futuna, and east of Fiji. Its nearest neighbor is Niue.
Tongatapu is situated in the southern group of islands. Its climate is cooler than the rest of Tonga. The nation's capital city, Nuku'alofa, is located on Tongatapu. The island is fairly flat, and has fertile, volcanic soil. Just off the northern coast of Tongatapu are several small islands and coral reefs. The first European visit to Tongatapu was in 1643, and Captain James Cook later introduced cattle to the island. Other significant islands in Tonga are Utu Vava'u, Eua, and Niuafo'ou.
Utu Vava'u is the largest of forty islands in the Vava'u island group. The island has a land area of about thirty-seven square miles. At its highest point, Mount Talau, Utu Vava'u is 430 feet above sea level. The climate is warmer on Utu Vava'u than in the rest of Tonga because it is in the northern part of the chain, so its vanilla bean and pineapple production is higher. Off of its south coast are several small islands and waterways.
The island of Eua is hilly, with its highest point, Funga Te'emoa, being 1,024 feet above sea level. Unlike other islands in Tonga, Although the top soil of Eua is volcanic, the island was not formed by volcanic activity but through the rubbing together of tectonic plates. There are several caves and holes in the surface of Eua, some of which have not been explored. It is the only island with a river. Eua is located in the south, near Tongatapu.
Niuafo'ou is the most northerly of the major Tongan islands. The island is an active volcano, and its inhabitants face the threat of volcanic eruption. Twenty-five people were killed in 1853 when lava flowed through the village of Ahau, and another eruption occurred in 1946, forcing the evacuation of its entire population. Vai Lahi, a crater lake on Niuafo'ou, is more than fourteen miles above sea level, and has three permanent island and a fourth that appears when water levels are low. On average, the lake is fifty-two miles deep.
The first inhabitants of the islands of Tonga were the Lapita people, who came from Southeast Asia by way of Melanesia, sometime between 3000 BC and 1300 BC, Tonga being one of the first Lapita settlements in Polynesia, if not the very first.
Although cannibalism was a part of the early history of Tonga, there is no evidence that it has been practiced since the early European explorations, when several Christian missionaries found themselves being served as the main course. It is unknown whether cannibalism was a religious practice or a simple result of there being a lack of meat. Early Tongans practiced an ancient Polynesian religion but since they had no written language, our knowledge of these practices is limited to myths and stories that have been passed down.
Tonga was visited by Dutch explorers in 1616, but there were no other recorded contacts until 1643. Captain James Cook, who came in 1773, referred to the islands as the "Friendly Islands" because he and his crew received a congenial welcome from islanders, who invited them to a feast. However, an Englishman by the name of William Mariner, who lived in Tonga from 1806 to 1810, wrote that the chiefs had intended to kill Cook, but couldn't agree on a plan. Tonga was not frequently visited by Europeans, perhaps because the difficulty of navigating its numerous islands and shallow reef systems.
There were visits, however, and they weren't always friendly. Before settling on Pitcairn Island, the crew of mutineers from the HMS Bounty were stoned when they landed on the island of Tofua, and one sailor was killed before they made their escape. In 1806, Tongans massacred nearly the whole crew of the British warship, Port au Prince, while it sat at anchor off of Lifuka, burning the ship. The writer referred to above, William Mariner, was one of the few survivors.
Although some missionaries were killed, large numbers of islanders were eventually converted to Christianity. The first missionaries were Wesleyans, and today the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga is the state religion, although only about a third of the population claims that as their religion. Nearly 98% of Tongans claim Christianity as their religion, however. Mission schools provide for most of the education on the islands. Today, Tonga has a literacy rate of nearly 99%, and many Tongans achieve higher education, although mostly pursued overseas.
Recommended Resources
The family business produces and offers for sale a wide range of handmade arts and crafts for home decoration and for gifts, using materials that are naturally available on the islands of Tonga, including fine mats and tapa cloth, derived from the bark of the mulberry tree. Other products include a book on Tonga history, Tongan tee-shirts, photography, graphic designs, and prints.
http://www.touchoftonga.com/
With several years of experience diving in the waters of Tonga, the business offers diving adventures, whale watching expeditions, and charter boat operations. Its custom and standard packages are put forward, its prices are specified, client testimonials and reviews are published to the site, and a profile of Tonga and its four main island groups are highlighted, along with information on traveling to Tonga.
http://www.dolphinpacificdiving.com/
Situated on the waterfront in downtown Nuku’alofa, the capital city of Tonga, the hotel is across the street from the Convention Centre and a short walk from the Talamahu Market Place and the Royal Palace. Featuring twenty rooms with ocean views, its on-site Emerald Restaurant specializes in Asian cuisine and hosts five private dining rooms. The guest accommodations are described and shown in photos, and reservations may be made online.
http://www.emerald-tonga.com/
Presented by the Tonga Tourism Authority, the site presents a history of the Kingdom of Tonga, a discussion of its culture through the years, and of the natural resources to be found on its one hundred and seventy-six islands, as well as its value for family and adventure holidays, including a guide to available activities, popular locations, hotels, resorts, guest houses, and other guest accommodations. A promotional video is included.
http://www.tongaholiday.com/
Located on the beaches of Ha’atafu and Kanokupolu, on the island of Nuku’alofa, Tonga, the guest lodge offers a variety of accommodations, which are described here, and shown in pictures, its rates, payment options, and online inquiries and bookings are featured, its on-site restaurant is highlighted, and an overview of local attractions, activities, and events are posted to the site, including contacts and directions.
http://www.heilala-holiday-lodge.com/
Situated on the Ha’atafu surfing beach on the northwestern tip of Tongatapu Island, in the island nation of Tonga, less than a half hour from the capital city of Nuku’alofa. An introduction to the proprietors, as well as a description and photos of the guest accommodations, common areas, and surrounding area, are set forth, and guest testimonials are published to the site.
http://www.holtyshideaway.com/
The independent newspaper is published by Vava’u Press in Pahu, Nuku’alofa, Tonga, offering island and regional news headlines, Pacific Island news, and reports from the Parliament of Tonga, as well as sports stories, opinion columns, and travel information. Advertising opportunities are offered, and full access to the newspaper’s content requires a subscription, which may be completed online.
http://matangitonga.to/
Ministry of Finance & National Planning
The Kingdom of Tonga MFNP is a government agency that plays a role in supporting the government in a wide range of policy areas, including expenditures, financial management, and government operations. Its organizational structure, location, office hours and contacts are posted, along with an overview of its services and responsibilities, career opportunities, and publications.
http://www.finance.gov.to/
Ministry of Information & Communications
The MIC was created by the Government of Tonga to serve as a means of communications between the government and the citizens of Tonga, and to promote a more accountable and transparent government. Its background, initiatives, working mandate, objectives and values, policies and laws, speeches, and contacts are included, along with news and announcements.
http://www.mic.gov.to/
National Reserve Bank of Tonga
Created as the central bank of Tonga by the government of the Kingdom of Tonga in 1989, the chief objectives of the Reserve Bank is to maintain the stability of the nation’s monetary system and promote a sound financial system. Office locations and contacts are posted, along with financial statistics, economic releases, and access to various publications. A description of the country’s banknotes and coins is included.
http://www.reservebank.to/
Solely owned by the government, the TBC is the first and largest broadcasting station in the Kingdom of Tonga, operating two free television channels, an AM commercial radio channel, and FM commercial radio channel, and a relay station for Radio Australia. Its site features television and radio broadcast schedules, advertising, and news from and about the islands of Tonga.
http://www.tonga-broadcasting.net/
Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Organized in 1976, the business membership organization is governed by an elected council. Its organizational structure, membership policies, meeting schedules, and the benefits of membership are defined, along with an overview of its services, available job openings, and a guide to starting a business in Tonga, investing in Tonga, taxation issues, and a business directory.
http://www.tongachamber.org/
