Tonga Country & Tourist Information

Location
South Pacific.

Area
748 sq km (289 sq miles).

Population
106,000 (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
141.7 per sq km.

Capital
Nuku’alofa.
Population:  35,000 (UN estimate 2003).

Government
Constitutional monarchy. Gained full independence within the Commonwealth in 1970.

Language
Tongan and English.

Religion
Wesleyan Church, Roman Catholic and Anglican. Small denominations of Muslim, Baha’i and Mormon faiths.

Time
GMT + 13.

Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Feleti (Fred) Sevele since 2006.

Head of State
King George Tupou V since 2006.

Recent History
In September 2006, after 41 years of rule, King Tupou IV died in his 80s in hospital in New Zealand. His son was immediately sworn in as the new king, but it could be a year before a full coronation takes place. It is expected that the king’s death will fuel calls for greater democracy.

Telephone
Country code: 676. There are no area codes.

Mobile Telephone
Coverage is limited to Nuku’alofa. No roaming agreements exist.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in Nuku’alofa.

Media
The state’s control of the media increased following an amendment to the constitution in 2003 which limited the right of the courts to review royal decisions. State-owned radio and TV are usually biased towards government policy, while private broadcasters offer little independent coverage. Although some privately-owned newspapers carry opposition views, journalists have been known to face harassment and threats of criminal charges.

Post
All mail must be collected from the post office. Airmail to Europe takes approximately 10 days. There are branch offices on Ha’apai and Vava’u.

Post office hours: (main office located in the center of Nuku’alofa) Mon-Fri 0830-1600.

Press
• The Matangi Tonga, The Times of Tonga (New Zealand-based) and Tonga Chronicle are English-language newspapers.

Radio
• State-run A3Z Radio Tonga operates Radio Tonga 1 and Kool 90FM.
• Private stations include Radio 2000, Radio Nuku’alofa and Christian station 93FM.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
10 Apr Good Friday. 
13 Apr Easter Monday.
25 Apr ANZAC Day.
4 Jun Emancipation Day.
12 Jul Birthday of the Heir to the Crown of Tonga.
1 Aug Official Birthday of the King of Tonga. 
4 Nov Constitution Day.
4 Dec Tupou I Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
2 Apr Good Friday. 
5 Apr Easter Monday.
25 Apr ANZAC Day.
4 Jun Emancipation Day.
12 Jul Birthday of the Heir to the Crown of Tonga.
1 Aug Official Birthday of the King of Tonga. 
4 Nov Constitution Day.
4 Dec Tupou I Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

Contact Information:

Tonga Ministry of Tourism
PO Box 37, Vuna Road, Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Tel: 25334.
Website: www.tongaholiday.com 

south-pacific.travel (South Pacific Tourism Organization) in Fiji
Street address: Level 3, FNPF Place, 343-359 Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji
Postal address: PO Box 13119, Suva, Fiji
Tel: (679) 330 4177.
Website: www.south-pacific.travel

Tonga High Commission in the UK
36 Molyneux Street, London W1H 5BQ, UK
Tel: (020) 7724 5828.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.
E-mail: selam@tongahighcom.co.uk or sela73@yahoo.com or elisiva_uk@yahoo.co.uk.

Tonga Consulate General in the USA
360 Post Street, Suite 604, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
Tel: (415) 781 0365.
E-mail: luisa@sfconsulate.gov.to or moala_99@yahoo.com.


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