est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 14.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.25 years

male: 65.83 years

female: 70.78 years (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3 children born/woman (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

Nationality: noun: Tongan(s)

adjective: Tongan

Ethnic groups: Polynesian, Europeans about 300

Religions: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000
adherents)

Languages: Tongan, English

Literacy: definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English

total population: 98.5%

male: 98.4%

female: 98.7% (1996 est.)

Tonga Government

Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga

conventional short form: Tonga

former: Friendly Islands

Government type: hereditary constitutional monarchy

Capital: Nuku'alofa

Administrative divisions: 3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u

Independence: 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)

National holiday: Independence Day, 4 June (1970)

Constitution: 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967

Legal system: based on English law

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since
16 December 1965)

head of government: Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA
(since NA February 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister Tevita TOPOU
(since NA January 2001)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch

note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch
and the Cabinet

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and
deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30
seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine
for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by
popular vote; members serve three-year terms)

elections: last held NA March 1999 (next to be held NA 2002)

election results: percent of vote - pro-democratic 40%; seats -
pro-democratic 5, traditionalist 4

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the
monarch); Court of Appeal (cons