; permanent crops 55%; meadows and pastures 6%; forest and
woodland 12%; other 2%
Environment:
archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited); subject to cyclones (October to
April); deforestation
Note:
located about 2,250 km north-northwest of New Zealand, about two-thirds of
the way between Hawaii and New Zealand

:Tonga People

Population:
103,114 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992)
Birth rate:
26 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
-11 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
22 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
65 years male, 70 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
3.7 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun - Tongan(s); adjective - Tongan
Ethnic divisions:
Polynesian; about 300 Europeans
Religions:
Christian; Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents
Languages:
Tongan, English
Literacy:
100% (male 100%, female 100%) age 15 and over can read and write a simple
message in Tongan or English (1976)
Labor force:
NA; 70% agriculture; 600 engaged in mining
Organized labor:
none

:Tonga Government

Long-form name:
Kingdom of Tonga
Type:
hereditary constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Nuku`alofa
Administrative divisions:
three island groups; Ha`apai, Tongatapu, Vava`u
Independence:
4 June 1970 (from UK; formerly Friendly Islands)
Constitution:
4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967
Legal system:
based on English law
National holiday:
Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970)
Executive branch:
monarch, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers
(cabinet), Privy Council
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (Fale Alea)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991); Deputy Prime Minister S.
Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Reform Movement, 'Akilisi POHIVA
Suffrage:
all literate, tax-paying males and all literate females over 21
Elections:
Legislative Assembly:
last held 14-15 February 1990 (next to be held NA February 1993); results -
percent of vote NA; seats - (29 total, 9 elected) 6 proreform, 3
traditionalist
Membe