Tonga

Oceania
Archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New 
Zealand.

20 00 S, 175 00 W

Ko e Otua mo Tonga ko hoku tofia God and Tonga are my Inheritance.
King George Tupou	Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano

Capital
Nukualofa

Government
Constitutional monarchy

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

Population
122,580

Ethnic group
Polynesian, Europeans

National Language                    
Tongan (official), English (official)

National Day
4 June 1970 (from UK)

Anthem
Ko e fasi o e tui o e Otu Tonga

Currency
Pa'anga

Attractions
Foiata Island,  Neiafu,  Surf Camp,  Ha´apai,  Royal Palace,  Tofua,  Vavaú Islands 

Website 

Art & Cultural

The ICON

The Royal Palace The Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Tonga is located in the northwest of the capital, Nukuʻalofa, close to the Pacific Ocean. The wooden Palace, which was built in 1867, is the official residence of the King of Tonga. Although the Palace is not open to the public, it is easily visible from the waterfront. In line with the deference the Tongans have for the royal family, poets almost never refer to the palace (pālasi) by name, but use heliaki (allegoric references) like: Fanga-tapu (sacred beach, the shore in front of the building), Loto-ʻā (inside the fence), ʻĀ-maka (stone fence), Hangai Tokelau (northwind against), a tree near the kitchen, and so forth. The old, about one meter high stone fence was so sacred to the king, that no one would ever dare to sit on it, let alone to cross it. However after 1990 the king had a 3 meter high grid fence erected. After 2000 some people broke through the gates with trucks. This prompted the installation of iron bars to secure the gates.

Ha’amonga ‘a Maui