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For other uses, see Tonga (disambiguation).
Pule'anga 'o Tonga
Kingdom of Tonga
Flag of Tonga Coat of arms of Tonga
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Ko e ʻOtua mo Tonga ko hoku tofiʻa"
"God and Tonga are my Inheritance"
Anthem: Ko e fasi ʻo e tuʻi ʻo e ʻOtu Tonga
Location of Tonga
Capital
(and largest city)		 Nukuʻalofa
21°08′S, 175°12′W
Official languages Tongan, English
Demonym Tongan
Government Constitutional Monarchy
 -  King George Tupou V
 -  Prime Minister Dr. The flag of Tonga was adopted on November 4, 1875. The flag looks similar to the Flag of the Red Cross. The Coat of arms of Tonga ( ko e Sila o Tonga) was designed in 1875 with the creation of the Constitution. A motto (from the Italian word motto, meaning witticism sentence is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history traditions and struggles of its people recognized either by a nation's " Ko e fasi o e tui o e Otu Tonga " is the National anthem of Tonga. Almost two-thirds of the population of the Kingdom of Tonga live on its main island Tongatapu. Nukualofa, population 22400 ( 1996) is the Capital, chief Port and largest city of Tonga. An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory Tongan ( lea fakatonga) is an Austronesian language spoken in Tonga. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a People or the inhabitants of a place For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. A constitutional monarchy, or a limited monarchy, is a form of Constitutional Government, wherein either an elected or hereditary Monarch is The Tupou dynasty of Tonga is the only remaining native constitutional monarchy of Polynesia. King George Tupou V ( Tongan: Siaosi Tupou V, full name Siaosi Tāufaāhau Manumataongo Tukuaho Tupou V) (born 4 May 1948) is List of Prime Ministers of Tonga: HRH Crown Prince Tevita 'Unga (1876–1880 Shirley Waldemar Baker (1880–1890 Feleti Sevele
Independence
 -  from British protectorate 4 June 1970 
Area
 -  Total 748 km² (186th)
289 sq mi 
 -  Water (%) 4. Feleti Vakauta Sevele (born c 1945) is the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located In International law, a protectorate is a autonomous territory that is "protected" by a stronger state or entity hense the protector which engages to protect Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. To help compare Orders of magnitude of different surface Areas here is a list of areas between 1 million km² and 10 million km² This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by total area. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. In Mathematics, a percentage is a way of expressing a number as a Fraction of 100 ( per cent meaning "per hundred" 0
Population
 -  July 2005 estimate 112,000 (194th)
 -  Density 153/km² (76th1)
396/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate
 -  Total $817 million (167th)
 -  Per capita $7,984 (76th)
HDI (2007) ▲ 0. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology List of countries by population in 2005|List of countries by population in 1907This is a list of countries ordered according to Population. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume List of countries and dependencies by Population density in inhabitants/km² The purchasing power parity ( PPP) theory uses the long-term equilibrium Exchange rate of two currencies to equalize their Purchasing power. The word million In standard English, the -lli- in million is pronounced with an l-sound followed by a There are three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product (GDP (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' This article includes three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product (GDP at Purchasing power parity (PPP Per capita The Human Development Index ( HDI) is an index combining normalized measures of Life expectancy, Literacy, Educational attainment, and GDP 819 (high) (55th)
Currency Paʻanga (TOP)
Time zone (UTC+13)
 -  Summer (DST)  (UTC+13)
Internet TLD .to
Calling code +676
1 Based on 2005 figures. This is a list of countries by Human Development Index as included in the United Nations Development Program 's Human Development Report 2007 A currency is a unit of exchange, facilitating the transfer of Goods and/or services It is one form of Money, where money is The paanga is the currency of the Tonga. It is controlled by National Reserve Bank of Tonga ( Pangikē Pule Fakafonua o Tonga) in Nuku{{okina}}alofa ISO 4217 is the International standard describing three-letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established Daylight saving time ( DST A country This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E

The Kingdom of Tonga (Tongan for "south") is an archipelago in the south Pacific Ocean comprising 169 islands, 36 of them inhabited, stretching over a distance of about 800 kilometres (500 miles) in a north-south line. Tongan ( lea fakatonga) is an Austronesian language spoken in Tonga. An archipelago (ɑrkəˈpɛləgoʊ is a chain or cluster of Islands The word archipelago literally means "chief Sea " from Italian The islands lie south of Samoa and are about one-third of the way from New Zealand to Hawaii. Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, is a country governing the western part of the Samoan Islands Archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island The State of Hawaii ( or həˈwaɪʔiː Hawaiian: Mokuāina o Hawaii) is a state in the United States located on an Archipelago in the

Tonga is the only surviving monarchy among the island nations of the Pacific Ocean, as well as being the only island nation never to have been formally colonized. A monarchy is a Form of government in which supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in an individual who is the Head of state, often for life or

The islands are also known as the Friendly Islands because of the friendly reception accorded to Captain Cook on his first visit in 1773. Captain James Cook FRS RN ( – 14 February 1779) was an English Explorer, Navigator and He happened to arrive at the time of the ʻinasi festival, the yearly donation of the first fruits to the Tu'i Tonga, the islands' paramount chief, and was invited to the festivities. jkdlfalfjkj kiera germany dsaklfalfjkaskj The Tui Tonga is a line of Tongan kings which originated in the 10th century with the mythical {{okina}}Aho{{okina}}eitu According to the writer William Mariner, in reality the chiefs had wanted to kill Cook during the gathering, but had been unable to agree on a plan. William Mariner was an Englishman who lived in the Tonga Islands from 29 November 1806 to (probably 8 November 1810 [1]

Contents

History

Main articles: History of Tonga and Tu'i Tonga Empire

Archaeological evidence shows that the first settlers in Tonga sailed from the Santa Cruz Islands, as part of the original Austronesian-speakers' (Lapita) migration which originated out of S. The history of Tonga stretches back to around roughly 4000 BC The Tui Tonga Empire or Tongan Empire was a powerful Oceanian Empire. The Santa Cruz Islands are a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, part of Temotu Province of the Solomon Islands. For the Fly Genus, see Lapita (fly. Lapita is the common name E. Asia some 6,000 years ago. Archaeological dating places Tonga as the oldest known site in Polynesia for the distinctive Lapita ceramic ware, at 2,800–2,750 years ago. Polynesia (from Greek: πολύς many, νῆσος island) is a Subregion of Oceania, comprising a large grouping of over The "Lapita" people lived and sailed, traded, warred, and intermarried in the islands now known as Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji for 1,000 years, before more explorers set off towards the east to discover the Marquesas, Tahiti, and eventually the rest of the islands of the Pacific Ocean. For the Fly Genus, see Lapita (fly. Lapita is the common name Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, is a country governing the western part of the Samoan Islands Archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean Fiji (Matanitu ko Viti फ़िजी officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands (Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti फ़िजी द्वीप समूह गणराज्य Tahiti is the largest Island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the Archipelago of Society Islands in the For this reason, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji are described by anthropologists as the cradle of Polynesian culture and civilization.

By the 12th century, Tongans, and the Tongan paramount chief, the Tuʻi Tonga, were known across the Pacific, from Niue to Tikopia, sparking some historians to refer to a 'Tongan Empire'. jkdlfalfjkj kiera germany dsaklfalfjkaskj The Tui Tonga is a line of Tongan kings which originated in the 10th century with the mythical {{okina}}Aho{{okina}}eitu Niue (niːˈʔuːeɪ/ /ˈnjuːeɪ in English is an Island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. Tikopia is a small and High island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The Tui Tonga Empire or Tongan Empire was a powerful Oceanian Empire. In the 15th century and again in the 17th, civil war erupted. It was in this context that the first Europeans arrived, beginning with Dutch explorers Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire in 1616, who called on the northern island of Niuatoputapu, and Abel Tasman, who visited Tongatapu and Haʻapai in 1643. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Willem Cornelisz Schouten (1567? Hoorn - 1625 Antongil Bay) was a Dutch navigator Jacob Le Maire (c 1585 Antwerp - December 22 1616, at sea was a Dutch mariner who circumnavigated the earth in 1615-16 Niuatoputapu, meaning sacred island, is an Island in the Island nation of Tonga, Pacific Ocean. Abel Janszoon Tasman ( 1603 - October 10 1659) was a Dutch seafarer, explorer, and Merchant. Tongatapu is the main island of Tonga and the location of the capital Nuku{{okina}}alofa. Haapai is a group of Islands Islets Reefs and Shoals in the central part of the Kingdom of Tonga, with the Tongatapu group Later noteworthy European visits were by Captain Cook in 1773, 1774, and 1777, Alessandro Malaspina in 1793, the first London missionaries in 1797, and the Wesleyan Methodist Walter Lawry Buller in 1822. Captain James Cook FRS RN ( – 14 February 1779) was an English Explorer, Navigator and Year 1773 ( MDCCLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Year 1774 ( MDCCLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Year 1777 ( MDCCLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Alessandro Malaspina (also spelled Alexandro and Alejandro; November 5, 1754 - April 9, 1810) was an Italian Year 1793 ( MDCCXCIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common A missionary is a member of a Religion who works to convert those who do not share the missionary's faith someone who proselytizes. Year 1797 ( MDCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Methodism is a movement within Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations Walter Lawry Buller, KCMG ( October 9, 1838 - July 19, 1906) was a New Zealand lawyer naturalist and ornithologist Year 1822 (MDCCCXXII was a Common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Sunday of the

Tonga was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845 by the ambitious young warrior, strategist, and orator Tāufaʻāhau. Polynesia (from Greek: πολύς many, νῆσος island) is a Subregion of Oceania, comprising a large grouping of over Year 1845 ( MDCCCXLV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common George Tupou I King of Tonga, originally known as Tāufaāhau I with some extra names Tupou Maeakafaua Ngininginiofolanga (in modern spelling originally Tubou He held the chiefly title of Tuʻi Kanokupolu, but was baptised with the name King George. In Tonga, the Tui Kanokupolu is a Title held by the chief of the House of Tupou, currently the Royal House of Tonga In 1875, with the help of missionary Shirley Baker, he declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy, formally adopted the western royal style, emancipated the 'serfs', enshrined a code of law, land tenure, and freedom of the press, and limited the power of the chiefs. Year 1875 ( MDCCCLXXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

Tonga became a British protected state under a Treaty of Friendship on 18 May 1900, when European settlers and rival Tongan chiefs tried to oust the second king. A protected state held a similar status to that of a Protectorate as part of the British Empire except that it usually had a functioning system of internal self-government Events 1152 - Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. Year 1900 ( MCM) was an exceptional Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar Within the British Empire, which posted no higher permanent representative on Tonga than a British Consul (1901-1970), it was part of the British Western Pacific Territories (under a colonial High Commissioner, then residing on Fiji) from 1901 until 1952. The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. The British Western Pacific Territories was the name of a colonial entity created in 1877 for the administration under a single representative of the British Crown styled High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking special executive positions held by a commission of appointment Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

The Treaty of Friendship and Tonga's protectorate status ended in 1970 under arrangements established prior to her death by Queen Salote Tupou III. Sālote Mafile‘o Pilolevu Tupou III Queen of Tonga, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, DStJ ( 13 March 1900 &ndash 16 December Tonga joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970 (atypically as an autochthonous monarchy, that is one with its own hereditary monarch rather than Elizabeth II), and the United Nations in September 1999. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security September 1999 was a month with thirty days The following events also occurred during the month While exposed to colonial forces, Tonga has never lost indigenous governance, a fact that makes Tonga unique in the Pacific and gives Tongans much pride, as well as confidence in their monarchical system. The indigenous peoples of Oceania are those peoples identified as Indigenous peoples, as per the modern global definition of the term As part of cost cutting measures across the British Foreign Service, the British Government closed the British High Commission in Nukuʻalofa in March 2006, transferring representation of British interests in Tonga to the UK High Commissioner in Fiji. High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking special executive positions held by a commission of appointment Stories without links will be removed. News stories must be in English The last resident British High Commissioner was Paul Nessling. [2].

Geography

Map of Tonga
Map of Tonga
Main article: Geography of Tonga

Administrative divisions

Tonga is divided into 3 administrative divisions: Ha'apai, Tongatapu and Vava'u. Tonga is located in Oceania, an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, directly south of Western Samoa and about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to Haapai is a group of Islands Islets Reefs and Shoals in the central part of the Kingdom of Tonga, with the Tongatapu group Tongatapu is the main island of Tonga and the location of the capital Nuku{{okina}}alofa. [3] Each has its own capital; the national capital, Nukuʻalofa, is also the capital of Tongatapu.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Tonga

Tonga is a constitutional monarchy. Politics of Tonga takes place in a framework of a Constitutional monarchy, whereby the King has the executive power A constitutional monarchy, or a limited monarchy, is a form of Constitutional Government, wherein either an elected or hereditary Monarch is The reverence for the monarch is likened to that held in earlier centuries for the sacred paramount chief, the Tuʻi Tonga. Criticism of the monarch is held to be contrary to Tongan culture and etiquette. A direct descendant of the first monarch, King George Tupou V, his family, some powerful nobles, and a growing non-royal elite caste live in much wealth, with the rest of the country living in relative poverty. King George Tupou V ( Tongan: Siaosi Tupou V, full name Siaosi Tāufaāhau Manumataongo Tukuaho Tupou V) (born 4 May 1948) is The effects of this disparity are mitigated by three factors: education, medicine, and land tenure.

Tonga's education system is free and mandatory for all children up to the age of fourteen, with only nominal fees for secondary education, and foreign-funded scholarships for post-secondary education. Education encompasses both the Teaching and Learning of Knowledge, proper conduct, and technical competency Tongans are well-educated, with a 98% literacy rate, and higher education up to and including medical and graduate degrees. traditional definition of literacy is considered to be the ability to read and write or the ability to use Language to read, write, listen,

Tongans also have universal access to a socialized medicine system. Tongan land is constitutionally protected and cannot be sold to foreigners (although it may be leased). While there is a land shortage on the urbanized main island of Tongatapu (where 70% of the population resides), there is farm land available in the outlying islands. Tongatapu is the main island of Tonga and the location of the capital Nuku{{okina}}alofa. The majority of the population engages in some form of subsistence production of food, with approximately half producing almost all of their basic food needs through farming, sea harvesting, and animal husbandry. Women and men have equal access to education and health care, and are fairly equal in employment, but women are discriminated against in land holding, electoral politics, and government ministries. However, in Tongan tradition women enjoy a higher social status than men, a cultural trait that is unique among the insular societies of the Pacific.

Prime Minister Feleti Sevele
Prime Minister Feleti Sevele

There is a pro-democracy movement in Tonga, which emphasizes reforms including better representation in the Parliament for the majority commoners, and better accountability in matters of state. Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system An overthrow of the monarchy itself is not part of the movement and the institution of monarchy continues to hold popular support, even while reforms are advocated. Until recently, the governance issue was generally ignored by the leaders of other countries, but major aid donors and neighbours New Zealand and Australia are now expressing concerns about some Tongan government actions. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics.

Following the precedents of Queen Sālote, and with numerous international advisors, the government of Tonga under King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV has monetized the economy, internationalized the medical and education system, and enabled access by commoners to increasing forms of material wealth (houses, cars, and other commodities), education, and overseas travel. The government has supported Olympic and other international sports competition, and contributed Peacekeepers to the United Nations (notably to Bougainville and the Solomon Islands). The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, also known as North Solomons, is an Autonomous region in Papua New Guinea and is the largest of the The Tongan government also supported the American 'coalition of the willing' action in Iraq, and a small number of Tongan soldiers were deployed, as part of an American force, to Iraq in late 2004. The term coalition of the willing is a post-1990 political phrase used to describe military or military/humanitarian interventions for which the United Nations Security Council However, the contingent of 40+ troops returned home on 17 December 2004. [4] In 2007, a second contingent was sent to Iraq while a third left Tonga in January 2008 to be part of Tonga's continuous support for the coalition.

The previous king, Tāufaʻāhau and his government have made some problematic economic decisions and are accused of wasting millions of dollars in poor investments. [5] The problems have mostly been driven by attempts to increase national revenue through a variety of schemes, considering making Tonga a nuclear waste disposal site (an idea floated in the mid-90s by the current crown prince);[6] selling Tongan Protected Persons Passports (which eventually forced Tonga to nationalize the purchasers, sparking ethnicity-based concerns within Tonga);[7] registering foreign ships (which proved to be engaged in illegal activities, including shipments for al-Qaeda);[8] claiming geo-orbital satellite slots (the revenue from which seems to belong to the Princess Royal, not the state);[9] holding a long-term charter on an unusable Boeing 757 that was sidelined in Auckland Airport, leading to the collapse of Royal Tongan Airlines;[10] building an airport hotel and potential casino with an Interpol-accused criminal; and approving a factory for exporting cigarettes to China (against the advice of Tongan medical officials, and decades of health promotion messaging). Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Auckland metropolitan area or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country A cigarette ( French "small Cigar " from cigar + -ette) is a product consumed through Smoking and manufactured [11] The king has proved vulnerable to speculators with big promises and lost several million (reportedly 26 million USD) to Jesse Bogdonoff, a financial adviser who called himself the king's Court Jester. Jesse Bogdonoff (born April 1, 1955 was financial advisor to the Government of Tonga and Court Jester to the Tongan Royal Court A jester, joker, jokester, fool, wit-cracker, prankster, or buffoon is a member of a profession that came into popularity [12] The police have imprisoned pro-democracy leaders, and the government repeatedly confiscated the newspaper The Tongan Times (which was printed in New Zealand and sold in Tonga) because the editor had been vocally critical of the king's mistakes. [13] Notably, the Keleʻa, produced specifically to critique the government and printed in Tonga by pro-democracy leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva, was not banned during that time. Pōhiva, however, had been subjected to harassment in the form of frequent lawsuits. Barratry is the name of two legal concepts one in criminal and civil law, and one in Admiralty law. [14]

Royal palace of Tonga
Royal palace of Tonga

In mid-2003, the government passed a radical constitutional amendment to "Tonganize" the press, by licensing and limiting freedom of the press, so as to protect the image of the monarchy. The Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Tonga is located in the northwest of the capital Nuku{{okina}}alofa, close to the Pacific Ocean. The amendment was defended by the government and by royalists on the basis of traditional cultural values. Licensure criteria include 80% ownership by Tongans living in the country. As of February 2004, those papers denied licenses under the new act included the Taimi ʻo Tonga (Tongan Times), the Keleʻa and the Matangi Tonga, while those which were permitted licenses were uniformly church-based or pro-government. The bill was opposed in the form of a several-thousand-strong protest march in the capital, a call by the Tuʻi Pelehake (a prince, nephew of the king and elected member of parliament) for Australia and other nations to pressure the Tongan government to democratize the electoral system, and a legal writ calling for a judicial investigation of the bill. The latter was supported by some 160 signatories, including seven of the nine elected "People's Representatives". The strong-arm tactics and gaffes have overshadowed the good that the aged king had done in his lifetime, as well as the many beneficial reforms of his son, ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho (Lavaka Ata ʻUlukālala), who was Prime Minister from 3 January 2000 to 11 February 2006. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The former Crown Prince and current monarch, Tupoutoʻa, and Pilolevu, the Princess Royal, remained generally silent on the issue. In total, the changes threatened to destabilize the polity, fraction support for the status quo, and place further pressure on the monarchy.

In 2005 the government spent several weeks negotiating with striking civil service workers before reaching a settlement. The civil unrest that ensued was not limited to just Tonga; protests outside the king's New Zealand residence made headlines, too. A constitutional commission is currently (2005-06) studying proposals to update the constitution. [15]

Prime Minister Prince ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho (Lavaka Ata ʻUlukālala) resigned suddenly on 11 February 2006, and also gave up his other cabinet portfolios. Prince Ahoeitu Unuakiotonga Tukuaho (born 12 July 1959 is the younger brother of King George Tupou V of Tonga and officially confirmed by the latter on 27 September Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. He was replaced in the interim by the elected Minister of Labour, Dr Feleti Sevele. Feleti Vakauta Sevele (born c 1945) is the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga.

The co-chairman of the constitutional reform commission His Royal Highness ʻUluvalu (Prince Tuipelehake), 55, who was a nephew of the King, and his wife, Kaimana Aleamotuʻa, 45, were killed by an 18-year old female teenager driving a Ford Mustang as she was racing in a California freeway near Menlo Park about 30 miles south of San Francisco, California, on 5 July 2006. Sione ʻUluvalu Ngū Takeivūlai Tukuaho ( 7 October 1950 — 5 July 2006 (6 July in Tonga) became the Tu{{okina}}i Pelehake The Ford Mustang sports coupe, manufactured by the Ford Motor Company, was initially based on the Ford Falcon The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city Events 1295 - Scotland and France form an alliance the beginnings of the Auld Alliance, against England. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The teenager was reported to have been travelling around 100mph upon hitting the red Ford Explorer carrying the two and also instantly killing the driver of the Explorer. The teenager was not hurt in the accident.

The Tongan government formally announced on Monday, 11 September 2006 that King Tupou IV died late Sunday night in Mercy Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, where he had been receiving treatment for much of the past year. Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Auckland metropolitan area or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island He was 88 and had reigned for 41 years. [16]

He was succeeded by his eldest son, Tupoutoʻa, now ruling under the title Siaosi Tupou V.

The public expected some changes under the new monarch. On November 16, 2006, rioting broke out in the capital city of Nuku'alofa when it seemed that the parliament would adjourn for the year without having made any advances in increasing democracy in government. The 2006 Nuku{{okina}}alofa riots started on November 16, in the Tongan capital of Nukualofa Pro-democracy activists burned and looted shops, offices, and government buildings. As a result, more than 60% of the downtown area was destroyed, and as many as 6 people died. [17]

Kings and queens of modern Tonga

  1. King George Tupou I (1875-1893)
  2. King George Tupou II (1893-1918)
  3. Queen Salote Tupou III (1918-1965)
  4. King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (1965-2006)
  5. King George Tupou V (2006-present)

Economy

A Tongan coin, see also: paʻanga
A Tongan coin, see also: paʻanga
Main articles: Economy of Tonga and Prehistoric Tongan economy

Tonga's economy is characterized by a large non monetary sector and a heavy dependence on remittances from the half of the country's population that lives abroad, chiefly in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. George Tupou I King of Tonga, originally known as Tāufaāhau I with some extra names Tupou Maeakafaua Ngininginiofolanga (in modern spelling originally Tubou Siaosi Tupou II King of Tonga ( George Tupou II in English) ( 18 June 1874 — 5 April 1918) was the king Sālote Mafile‘o Pilolevu Tupou III Queen of Tonga, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, DStJ ( 13 March 1900 &ndash 16 December Tāufaāhau Tupou IV King of Tonga, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, KStJ ( 4 July 1918 &ndash 10 September 2006 King George Tupou V ( Tongan: Siaosi Tupou V, full name Siaosi Tāufaāhau Manumataongo Tukuaho Tupou V) (born 4 May 1948) is The paanga is the currency of the Tonga. It is controlled by National Reserve Bank of Tonga ( Pangikē Pule Fakafonua o Tonga) in Nuku{{okina}}alofa Tonga 's economy is characterized by a large nonmonetary sector and a heavy dependence on remittances from the half of the country's population that lives abroad chiefly in Australia The Tongan economy was based upon the resources of the land and sea that abound in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Pacific ocean and were used by the Tonga The monetary sector of the economy is dominated and largely owned by the royal family and nobles. This is particularly true of the telecommunications and satellite services. Much of small business, particularly retail establishments on Tongatapu, is now dominated by recent Chinese immigrants who arrived under a cash-for-passports scheme that ended in 1998.

The manufacturing sector consists of handicrafts and a few other very small scale industries, all of which contribute only about 3% of GDP. The putting-out system was a means of subcontracting work It was also known as the workshop system. Commercial business activities also are inconspicuous and, to a large extent, are dominated by the same large trading companies found throughout the South Pacific. In September 1974, the country's first commercial trading bank, the Bank of Tonga, opened. There are no Patent Laws in Tonga. [3]

Rural Tongans rely on plantation and subsistence agriculture. Fundamentally a plantation is usually a large Farm or estate, especially in a tropical or semitropical country on which Cotton, Tobacco Subsistence agriculture is self-sufficient farming in which farmers grow only enough food to feed the family and to pay taxes or feudal dues Coconuts, vanilla beans, bananas and root crops such as yams, taro and cassava, are the major cash crops. The Coconut Palm ( Cocos nucifera) is a member of the Family Arecaceae (palm family Vanilla is a Flavoring derived from Orchids of the genus Vanilla native to Mexico. For the fruit see Banana. For other meanings see Banana (disambiguation. In Agriculture, a cash crop is a crop which is grown for Money. The processing of coconuts into copra and desiccated (dried) coconut was once the only significant industry but deteriorating prices on the world market has brought this once vibrant industry, as everywhere throughout the island nations of the south Pacific, to a complete standstill. Desiccation is the state of extreme dryness or the process of extreme drying Pigs and poultry are the major types of livestock. Livestock is the term used to refer (singularly or plurally to a Domesticated Animal intentionally reared in an agricultural setting to produce such as Food Horses are kept for draft purposes, primarily by farmers working their 'api 'uta (a plot of bushland). More cattle are being raised, and beef imports are declining. The export of squash to Japan once brought relief to a struggling economy but recently local farmers are increasingly wary of this market due to price fluctuations, not to mention the huge financial risks involved.

Tonga's development plans emphasize a growing private sector, upgrading agricultural productivity, revitalizing the squash and vanilla bean industries, developing tourism, and improving the island's communications and transportation systems. Substantial progress has been made, but much work remains to be done. A small but growing construction sector is developing in response to the inflow of aid monies and remittances from Tongans abroad. It remains to be said that the most significant contributor to Tonga's economy are remittances from Tongans living abroad. In recognition of such a crucial contribution, the present Tongan government has created a new department within the Prime Minister's Office with the sole purpose of catering for the needs of Tongans living abroad. Furthermore, the Tongan Parliament in 2007 amended citizenship laws to allow Tongans especially those living overseas to hold dual citizenship.

Efforts are being made to discover ways to diversify. One hope is seen in fisheries; tests have shown that sufficient skipjack tuna pass through Tongan waters to support a fishing industry. For the fishing industry and the practice of fishing see Fishing. Another potential development activity is exploitation of forests, which cover 35% of the kingdom's land area but are decreasing as land is cleared. A forest is an area with a high density of Trees There are many definitions of a forest based on various criteria Coconut trees past their prime bearing years also provide a potential source of timber. Lumber or timber is Wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural Material for Construction, or

The tourist industry is relatively undeveloped; however, the government recognizes that tourism can play a major role in economic development, and efforts are being made to increase this source of revenue. Cruise ships often stop in Nukuʻalofa and Vavaʻu.

Vava'u in fact is well known for its whale watching, game fishing, surfing, beaches and the like and is increasingly becoming a major player in the South Pacific tourism market.

Real estate companies have also just started to spring up in Tonga; as such, they were basically unheard of less than a decade ago. These have provided a way of making income for many Tongans as nearly every male Tongan has plots of land that he has never seen and the leasing of this valuable and attractive land allows the Tongan to live in a comfort not experienced before. There are also many Tongans who work as commission agents and earn a living by finding available land parcels and bringing them to local ex-pats or computer savvy Tongans to list on-line. Some of these so-called real estate companies have done more harm than good and one would be wise to be careful when dealing with them, however for the most part acquiring real estate in Tonga is a simple, straight forward and hassle free process.

In 2005 the country became eligible to become a member of the World Trade Organization, however on 25 July 2006 it was announced that Tonga has deferred its membership of the WTO until July next year according to the Tongan Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele. Events 285 - Diocletian appoints Maximian as Caesar, co-ruler

The delay he said did not mean that Tonga was withdrawing its WTO membership application, but to give Tonga more time to improve its tariff system.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Tonga

Almost two-thirds of the 112,422 inhabitants of the Kingdom of Tonga live on its main island, Tongatapu. Almost two-thirds of the population of the Kingdom of Tonga live on its main island Tongatapu. Although an increasing number of Tongans have moved into the only urban and commercial centre, Nukuʻalofa, where European and indigenous cultural and living patterns have blended, village life and kinship ties continue to be important throughout the country. Everyday life is heavily influenced by Polynesian traditions and especially by the Christian faith; for example, all commerce and entertainment activities cease from midnight Saturday until midnight Sunday, and the constitution declares the Sabbath to be sacred, forever. The majority of Tongans are Methodists [18] with a significant Catholic minority. The Catholic Church in Tonga is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and Curia in Rome By their own church statistics, Mormons claim 48 percent of the population, thereby substantiating their claim that Tonga is the most Mormon nation in the world. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest Christian denomination in the United States and the largest and most well-known [19]

Tongans, Polynesian by ethnicity with a very small mixture of Melanesian, represent more than 98% of the inhabitants. Polynesia (from Greek: πολύς many, νῆσος island) is a Subregion of Oceania, comprising a large grouping of over Melanesia (from Greek: μέλας black, νῆσος island) means "islands of the black-skinned people" The rest are European, mixed European, and other Pacific Islanders. The European peoples are the various Nations and Ethnic groups of Europe. Pacific Islander (or Pacific Person, pl Pacific People, also called Oceanic[s] ' is a geographic term to describe the Austronesian There also are several hundred Chinese.

Primary education between ages 6 and 14 is compulsory and free in state schools. Mission schools provide about 8% of the primary and 90% of the secondary level of education. State schools make up for the rest. Higher education includes teacher training, nursing and medical training, a small private university, a women's business college, and a number of private agricultural schools. Most higher education is pursued overseas.

The Tongan language is the official language of the islands, along with English. Tongan ( lea fakatonga) is an Austronesian language spoken in Tonga. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Tongan is an Austronesian language which is closely related to Wallisian (Uvean), Niuean and other Polynesian languages such as Hawaiian and Samoan. This article deals with the language of Wallis Island "Wallisian" also known as "Fakauvea" or "East Uvean The Niuean language or Niue language (Niuean ko e vagahau Niuē) is a Polynesian language belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian subgroup The Polynesian languages are a Language family spoken in the region known as Polynesia. The Hawaiian language (Hawaiian ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i) is an Austronesian language that takes its name from Hawai'i, the largest island in the tropical The Sāmoan or Samoan language is the traditional language of Samoa and American Samoa and is an official language &mdash alongside English

70% of Tongan women aged 15-85 are obese. Tonga and nearby Nauru have the world’s fattest populations [4]. Nauru, officially the Republic of Nauru, is an Island nation in the Micronesian South Pacific.

Culture and Diaspora

Main article: Culture of Tonga
Kava culture
Kava culture

The Tongan archipelago has been inhabited for perhaps 3,000 years, since settlement in late Lapita times. The Tongan archipelago has been inhabited for perhaps 3000 years since settlement in late Lapita times Kava culture refers to the cultures of western Oceania which consume Kava, and the religious and cultural traditions associated with it For the Fly Genus, see Lapita (fly. Lapita is the common name The culture of its inhabitants has surely changed greatly over this long time period. Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate" generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic Before the arrival of European explorers in the late 1600s and early 1700s, the Tongans were in frequent contact with their nearest Oceanic neighbors, Fiji and Samoa. Fiji (Matanitu ko Viti फ़िजी officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands (Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti फ़िजी द्वीप समूह गणराज्य Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, is a country governing the western part of the Samoan Islands Archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean In the 1800s, with the arrival of Western traders and missionaries, Tongan culture changed dramatically. Some old beliefs and habits were thrown away, and others adopted. Some accommodations made in the 1800s and early 1900s are now being challenged by changing Western civilization.

Contemporary Tongans often have strong ties to overseas lands. Many Tongans have emigrated to Australia, New Zealand, and the United States to seek employment and a higher standard of living. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island The United States of America —commonly referred to as the U. S. cities with significant Tongan American populations include Portland, Oregon; Anchorage, Alaska; San Mateo, California; East Palo Alto, California; Oakland, California; Los Angeles, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Euless, Texas (in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex). Portland is a city located in the Northwestern United States, near the Confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers San Mateo ( "san muh-TAY-o") is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States East Palo Alto (often called EPA) is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States. Oakland (ˈoʊklənd founded in 1852 is the eighth-largest city in the U Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Salt Lake City is the Capital and the most populous city of the U Honolulu is the Capital and most populous Census-designated place (CDP in the U Euless is a Suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States. Large Tongan communities can also be found in Auckland, New Zealand and in Sydney, Australia. The Auckland metropolitan area or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 This Tongan diaspora is still closely tied to relatives at home, and a significant portion of Tonga's income derives from remittances to family members (often aged) who prefer to remain in Tonga. The term Diaspora (in Greek, διασπορά &ndash " a scattering or sowing of seeds " refers any population sharing common ethnic

Tongans, therefore, often have to operate in two different contexts, which they often call anga fakatonga, the traditional Tongan way, and anga fakapãlangi, the Western way. A culturally adept Tongan learns both sets of rules and when to switch between them.

Sport

See also: Sport in Tonga

Rugby union is the national sport in Tonga, and the national team ('Ikale Tahi or Sea Eagles) has performed quite well on the international stage. The national sport of Tonga is Rugby union. Rugby league is another popular sport enjoyed by Tongans Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi (Sea Eagles. Although the national team has not performed as well as neighboring Samoa and Fiji, Tonga has competed at four Rugby World Cups, the first being in 1987. Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, is a country governing the western part of the Samoan Islands Archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean Fiji (Matanitu ko Viti फ़िजी officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands (Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti फ़िजी द्वीप समूह गणराज्य The Rugby World Cup is the premier international Rugby union competition The First Rugby World Cup was hosted by New Zealand and Australia in 1987 and was won by New Zealand. The 2007 Rugby World Cup was its most successful to date, with Tonga winning both of its first two matches, against the USA 25-15 and Samoa 19-15; and came very close to upsetting the eventual winners of the 2007 tournament, the South African Springboks, losing 30-25 in the end. The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international Rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. For the American Rugby league team see United States national rugby league team. The national Rugby union team of Samoa is called Manu Samoa (the name of a famous Samoan chief some 10 generations ago They then lost to England 36-20 in their last pool game to end their hopes of making the knockout stages but were by no means disgraced. In fact, by picking up third place in their pool games behind South Africa and England, Tonga has since been rewarded with automatic qualification for the 2011 Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand.

Its best result prior to 2007 was in 1995 when they won one game beating Ivory Coast 29-11, and 1999 when they won one game beating Italy 28-25 (although with only 14 men they lost heavily to England in 1999, 10-101). The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted by South Africa, and had the distinction of being the first Rugby World Cup in which every match The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup and the first to be held in Rugby union 's professional era. Tonga performs the 'Sipi Tau' (war dance) before its matches. Kailao is a Tongan war dance imported to Tonga from nearby 'Uvea also known as Wallis Island,this dance is similar to the Samoan "Ailao" Tonga used to compete in the Pacific Tri-Nations against Samoa and Fiji which has now been replaced by the IRB Pacific 6 Nations involving as well Japan, the second string All Blacks (Junior All Blacks) and Wallabies (Australia A) although from 2008 the Junior All Blacks would be replaced by the Maori All Blacks. The Pacific Tri-Nations is the traditional rugby union series between Tonga, Fiji and Western Samoa was established in 1982 with Western Samoa The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport. At club level, there are the Datec Cup Provincial Championship and the Pacific Rugby Cup. The Datec Cup Provincial Championship is the second highest level of Rugby union competition within Tongan rugby and is a stepping stone for local players into international IRB Pacific Rugby Cup is an Annual Rugby union club competition Rugby union is governed by the Tonga Rugby Football Union, which is also a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance. The Tonga Rugby Football Union are the governing body of the sport of Rugby union in Tonga. The Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA was set up in 2002 as a basis of co-operation between the Fiji, Samoa and Tonga Rugby Unions Tonga contributes to the Pacific Islanders rugby union team. The Pacific Islanders rugby union team (usually known as just Pacific Islanders) are an international Rugby union team started in 2004 that represents Fiji Jonah Lomu, Viliami (William) 'Ofahengaue and George Smith are all of Tongan descent. Jonah Tali Lomu, MNZM (born 12 May 1975 is a New Zealand Rugby union footballer Viliami (William 'Ofahengaue (born May 3, 1968 in Kolofoou, Tonga) widely known as Willie O earned 41 caps for the Australian George Smith (born 14 July 1980 in Manly, NSW) is an Australian Rugby union player Rugby is popular in the nation's schools and students from schools such as Tupou College are regularly offered scholarships from New Zealand, Australia and Japan. Tupou College is a Methodist boys' secondary boarding school in Toloa on the island of Tongatapu, Tonga. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. It should be added, however, that many players of Tongan descent also make it big in the Australian National Rugby League competition. These include Willy Mason, Brent Kite, Willie Tonga, Anthony Tupou, Antonio Kaufusi, Israel Folau, to name but a few. Willie Tonga (born 8 August 1983 in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory) is an Australian Rugby league player for the Bulldogs in

Tongan Boxer Paea Wolfgram won the silver medal in the Super Heavyweight division (> 91kg) at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. Boxing (sometimes also known as English boxing or pugilism) is a Combat sport in which two participants generally of similar weight, The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an International Multi-sport event, usually quadrennial organised by the International To date, he remains the only Pacific islander to ever win a medal at the Olympics.

Tongan women are known for being skillful jugglers [5].

Recent Developments

In July 2006, two members of the Tongan Royal Family, Prince Tu'ipelehake and his wife, were killed along with their driver in San Francisco, when their car was hit by a driver participating in a street race. The driver was convicted of three counts of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in June and sentenced on August 24 2007, to two years in county jail for her participation in the deaths of the prince, princess, and their driver. Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar 's General Gaius Scribonius Curio is defeated in the Second Battle of the Bagradas River [20]

Miscellany

See also

  • Tongan economy prehistory
  • Transportation in Tonga
  • Tu'i Tonga Empire
  • Tupenu
  • William Mariner accounts of pre-Christian Tonga. The 2006 Tonga Earthquake occurred on 4 May 2006 at 0426 local time ( 3 May 2006 at 1526 UTC The 2006 Nuku{{okina}}alofa riots started on November 16, in the Tongan capital of Nukualofa The 2007 Tonga Earthquake occurred on 9 December 2007 at 202824 local time (072824 UTC Tonga is located in Oceania, an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, directly south of Western Samoa and about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to Telephones - main lines in use 14000 (2007 Telephones - mobile cellular 35000 (2007 Telephone system Fixed PSTN GSM 900 domestic The Tongan archipelago has been inhabited for perhaps 3000 years since settlement in late Lapita times Tonga, by a modification of its treaty of friendship with the United Kingdom in July 1970 is responsible for its own external affairs Kava culture refers to the cultures of western Oceania which consume Kava, and the religious and cultural traditions associated with it The music of Tonga is the music both indigenous and foreign-influenced of the island kingdom of Tonga, comprising the Tongan archipelago and a few outlying islands Tonga is one of 29 countries where Scouting exists (be it embryonic or widespread but where there is no National Scout Organization The Tonga Defense Services ( TDS) is the 450-person Armed force of Tonga. This article describes the Tongan creation myth. Overview In the beginning there was just the sea and the spirit world Pulotu and between them was a rock called The Tongan economy was based upon the resources of the land and sea that abound in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Pacific ocean and were used by the Tonga This article concerns the systems of transportation in Tonga. The Tui Tonga Empire or Tongan Empire was a powerful Oceanian Empire. Tupenu is the Tongan term for a wrapped garment also called a Sarong, Lungi, or Lava-lava, worn through much of South Asia and William Mariner was an Englishman who lived in the Tonga Islands from 29 November 1806 to (probably 8 November 1810



References

  1. ^ Mr Korovulavula - Occasion of the Inaugural Flight Fiji/Tonga/Fiji Reception by Airlines Tonga, Accessed 16 April 2008. Events 1178 BC - A Solar eclipse may have marked the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca, to his kingdom 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  2. ^ The sun finally sets on our men in paradise, published on The Daily Telegraph, 21 March 2005. For "The Daily Telegraph" in Australia see The Daily Telegraph (Australia. Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
  3. ^ Tonga
  4. ^ Iraq Coalition Troops, published on GlobalSecurity, 18 August 2005
  5. ^ http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/10/tonga.king.ap/index.html
  6. ^ December 1997
  7. ^ Tonga : In Depth : History | Frommers.com
  8. ^ The ships that died of shame - smh.com.au
  9. ^ Tongasat
  10. ^ Islands Business - No Govt Support Blamed for Airline Collapse
  11. ^ Articles:Listing Tonga
  12. ^ http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/09/10/tonga.king.ap/index.html
  13. ^ Pacific Journalism Review 1996 Tongan
  14. ^ Tongan Court Case Over Wrongful Imprisonment Recommences - July 31, 2002
  15. ^ No resolution in sight in Tonga, published on TVNZ, 30 August 2005
  16. ^ The king's death as reported on Fijian TV[1]
  17. ^ Riots
  18. ^ (cf. Events 293 BC - The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Television New Zealand (TVNZ is a state-owned television broadcasting corporation in New Zealand. Events 1363 - Beginning date of the Battle of Lake Poyang; the forces of two Chinese rebel leaders— Chen Youliang and Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Ernst, Manfred/ Winds of Change. Suva: PCC, 1994, p. 146)
  19. ^ Wakeley, Alan B. "LDS Newsroom" LDS Church Statistical Information: Tonga, May25, 2008 [2]
  20. ^ Teen sentenced for crash that killed Tongan Royals. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  21. ^ Islands Business, vol. 32, no. 10, October 2006, p. 10
  22. ^ youtube.com clip

External links


Dictionary

tonga

-noun

  1. (India) A light, two-wheeled, horse-drawn carriage used for transportation in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Tonga

-proper noun

  1. A country in Oceania. Official name: Kingdom of Tonga.
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