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Region:
Oceania-Polynesia
Capital:
Nuku'alofa
Population:
110,237 (July
2004 est.)
Surface
area:
650 sq km
Currency:
pa'anga
GDP
per capita:
purchasing power
parity - $2,200
(2001 est.)
Background:
The archipelago
of "The
Friendly Islands"
was united into
a Polynesian
kingdom in 1845.
It became a constitutional
monarchy in 1875
and a British
protectorate
in 1900. Tonga
acquired its
independence
in 1970 and became
a member of the
Commonwealth
of Nations. It
remains the only
monarchy in the
Pacific.
Economy
– Overview
Tonga, a small,
open, South Pacific
island economy,
has a narrow
export base in
agricultural
goods. 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.
Tourism is the
second-largest
source of hard
currency earnings
following remittances.
The country remains
dependent on
external aid
and remittances
from Tongan communities
overseas to offset
its trade deficit.
The government
is emphasizing
the development
of the private
sector, especially
the encouragement
of investment,
and is committing
increased funds
for health and
education. Tonga
has a reasonably
sound basic infrastructure
and well-developed
social services.
High unemployment
among the young
and the continuing
upturn in inflation
are major issues
facing the government.
United
Nations membership
date:
14 September
1999
New
York Mission:
Permanent Mission
of the Kingdom
of Tonga to the
United Nations
250 East 51st
Street
New York, N.Y.
10017 USA
Telephone: (917)
369-1025
Fax: (917) 369-1024
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