Royal Palace of Tonga. School Encyclopedia
TONGA (formerly the Friendship Islands), the Kingdom of Tonga is an island country in the south of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean. It occupies the islands of the Tonga archipelago of the same name, stretched from north to southwest (along the Tonga ocean trench) for 900 km. deepest depression(10,882 m) - in the very south. The archipelago includes 171 volcanic and coral islands (only 36 are inhabited) and consists of two parallel chains: the western (mountainous islands of volcanic origin with peaks up to 1000 m) and the eastern (low coral islands). The largest among them are Fr. Tongatapu (347 sq. km). Land area - 718 sq. km.
The climate is humid tropical. The temperature varies from +23 °С in winter to +30 °С in summer (November-April). The wet, hot summer season lasts from November to April, with typhoons usually occurring from January to March. The average annual rainfall is 2000 mm. There are rivers on the islands of Eua and Niuatoputapu.
Tonga is a constitutional monarchy. The king is the head of government and appoints the prime minister and the cabinet. Parliament - Legislative Assembly. The territory is divided into 5 units and 23 districts. official languages- Tongan and English.
The main national dress is a straw rug, which is wrapped around with a belt. Hangs on any other clothes.
Population - 108 thousand people; almost all are Polynesians (Tongans). 67% live on about. Tongatapu. 41% of believers are Wesleyans (one of the currents of evangelical Christianity), 16% are Catholics, 14% are Mormons. Many islanders adhere to traditional beliefs. 33% of the population lives in cities.
Temple of the Free Wesleyan Church in Kolomotua.
The capital of the country - the city of Nuku'alofa - is located on the northern coast of about. Tongatapu and the coast of the Fangauta lagoon. Population - 33 thousand people. Main sea port countries. Handicraft, fish, food industry. Attractions: the royal palace of the 19th century, the tombs of the kings (Malaekula Park), the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua, Catholic cathedral St. Mary, Tongan National Center (1988), the famous Talamahu Market. On the eastern shore of the Fangauta Lagoon are the old royal capitals of Niutoua, Lapaha and Mua. Near Niutoua is a stone monument of 3 coral blocks, built in the 13th century.
The head of state is the king.Principle of succession enshrined in Article 32 of the current Constitution. The heir to the throne must be born in wedlock. The throne is transferred to the eldest son, and in case of death - to his heirs. If the eldest son has no children, then the throne is transferred to the second oldest son (that is, the younger brother of the eldest son) or his heirs, and so on through the male line. If the male line is interrupted in the royal family, then the throne is inherited by the eldest daughter and her heirs (and further according to the same principle as in the male line). If there are no heirs left in the female line, then the throne is transferred to descendants and legitimate heirs. William Tunga (former governor Wawau, Prince Consort and the Premier of Tonga). If there are no legitimate heirs along this line, then the king can independently (with the approval of the House of Peers) appoint his heir during his lifetime. If this has not been done, then the Prime Minister or the Cabinet, in his absence, must convene the peers of the Legislative Assembly, which, at a meeting of the House of Peers, must choose one of the leaders as king by vote, thus founding a new royal dynasty.
Any member of the royal family who is endowed with the right of succession to the throne has no right to marry without the consent of the king, otherwise, a potential heir who has acted in this way against the will of the king may be deprived of his legal rights to the throne. In addition, the throne cannot pass to a person who has committed a criminal offense or who is of unsound mind or imbecile.
According to the Constitution, the person of the king is sacred, and he himself is the master of all the leaders and all the people of Tonga. He runs the country, but the ministers are responsible. All bills passed through the Legislative Assembly must be signed by the king before they can take effect. The King of Tonga issupreme commander land and sea forces of the country. He appoints all officers, regulates the training and control of military forces, has the right to declare war (with the permission of the Legislative Assembly). The King of Tonga has the right to pardon (with the permission of the Privy Council), the right to convene and dissolve the Legislative Assembly at its own discretion, the right to sign agreements with foreign states (provided that these agreements comply with the internal legislation of the Kingdom), the appointment of diplomatic representatives of Tonga in other states, awarding honorary titles. The King cannot change customs duties without the consent of the Legislative Assembly.
Royal rule can be traced back to 950. Since 1600, the ruling dynasty has been in power Tu i Kanokupolu.
Salote Mafile "o Pilolevu Tupou III (March 13, 1900 - December 16, 1965), but usually only called Salote (Charlotte), wasqueen regnant TongaApril 5, 1918 until her death
in 1965.
She was the king's daughter George Tupou II and his first wife, Queen Lavinia Veiongo Fotu. Her husband became Viliami Tungi Mailefihi(November 1, 1887 - July 20, 1941), he was a direct descendant of Tu "i Ha" atakalua. He was chosen by King Siaosi Tupou II to marry his eldest daughter and heiress, Salote, although she was 12.5 years younger than him, in order to strengthen the royal power and unite the three branches of the royal dynasties of Tonga.
The wedding took place on September 19 (Christian ceremony) and September 21 (Tonga ceremony, Tu Uvala) 1917, less than a year before the daughter's wedding, King Siaosi would die and Salote would be crowned queen.
This marriage was successful. The status and personality of the Tungi did much to raise the people's respect for their queen. In addition, their children born became carriers of the blood of the 3 main royal dynasties of Tonga.
The Queen with her husband, three sons and a daughter. 1930.
Tungi has always been very generous to all his relatives. His death in 1941 was a heavy blow not only to Queen Salote but to all of Tungi and Kainga's relatives.
Queen Salote was a beloved monarch of her time and has become an icon for many people today. She gave people a strong sense of her identity and attributed her success as a ruler to hard work and strong character. According to the memoirs, she was smart, energetic, a great authority and authority for her people. She is also a renowned Tongan poet and songwriter.
She brought Tonga international recognition when she took part in the 1953 at the Coronation Celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II in London, touching the audience, driving through the streets in an open carriage, smiling and waving his arms, in the pouring rain.
Queen Salote was well known for her tall 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 meters).
After her death, her son became king.Taufa'ahau Tupou.
King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV
(July 4, 1918 - September 10, 2006) - King of Tonga from 1965 to 2006. He became the first Tongan , who graduated from the University of Sydney and received degrees in law and art. Taufa'ahau Tupou IV was also known as one of the largest monarchs in the world: with a height of more than 2 meters, his weight reached 150-170 kg. In 1976, he entered the Guinness Book of Records as the heaviest monarch in the world, when his weight reached 209.5 kg. Since then, the monarch has significantly reduced his weight.
Queen Elizabeth II And Duke of Edinburgh with King Taufa "ahau Tupou IV and the queen
Halaevalu Mataaho in the royal palace, in Nuku'alofa, the capitalTonga, 1977.
In his free time, the monarch liked to read history books (especially military ones), as well as read biographies of great people and go fishing on a yacht. Titilupe . Taufa'ahau Tupou IV could play the guitar and balalaika. According to media reports, he mastered the second instrument after visiting the USSR. The death of Taufa’ahau Tupou IV was perceived by the inhabitants of the kingdom as a personal tragedy. A bronze statue of the king was erected near the royal palace. At the same time, part of the money was collected by residents by subscription.
June 10, 1947 married the future Queen Halaewal Mataaho(Halaevalu Mataaho Ahomee was born on May 29, 1926, the eldest daughter of "Ahome" e (Manu- "o-Pangai) and his wife Heu" ifanga, great-granddaughter of the last kingTui Tonga empire ). Three children were born from the marriage, the eldest of whom, after the death of Tupou IV, succeeded to the throne under the name George Tupow V . (The Queen Mother celebrates her 85th birthday.http://translate.googleusercontent....rev=/search%3Fq ).
King George Tupou V (Xiaosi Taufahau Manumataongo Tukuao Tupou V)
The Tonga archipelago is a cluster of volcanic and coral islands (171 in total) in the Pacific Ocean. In the last monarchy of Polynesia located here, not everything is calm, and even the current heir to the throne refused to be crowned. Tonga is one of the few tropical corners on the globe that have partly retained their originality since the time of the great navigators.
Such is the myth. If you follow the scientific version, most of the Tongan Islands are of volcanic origin. And they still continue to emerge from the depths. Pacific Ocean- the latter arose as a result of the 1979 eruption.
The first people appeared in Tonga in the 5th century. Scientists are still arguing where they sailed from - from Asia or from America. But no matter where they came from, they have been living here since then, in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. The archipelago consists of three groups of islands: Tongatapu, Vavau and Ha'apai, as well as several dozen small islands. The territory of Tonga also included two artificial islands. The fact is that in 1972, not far from the islands of Tonga, the Americans built on underwater atolls, proclaimed by the Republic of Minerva. However, King Taufaahau Tupou IV declared that Minerva Atoll was a traditional fishing ground for the Tongan people and sent his fleet to the islands. The newly formed republic ceased to exist, and only in October 2003 Minerva regained the status of an independent state.
Spring, October
The Kingdom of Tonga is the first on the globe to meet a new day, because the 180th meridian passes next to this ancient archipelago. The Tongan Islands are especially beautiful in October, when spring is in full swing in the southern hemisphere. At this time, trees and shrubs bloom, and the air is filled with their fragrance, mixed with the salty ocean breeze. Everywhere there are flat crowns of trees strewn with red buds, thickets of oleander and white and yellow frangipani, hibiscus and bright pink bougainvilleas. In addition, the period from May to October is the whale migration season. Female whales come to the shores of Tonga to give birth to cubs. And this kingdom is the only one in the world where it is still allowed to go down from the boats into the ocean and swim next to the whales. However, restrictions have recently been introduced on this lucrative form of tourism in order to less disturb the majestic rare animals.
The capital of the kingdom of Nuku'alofa is located on the flat, flat island of Tongatapu. Two official languages are spoken here - English and Tongan. An asphalt road leads past villages with one-story houses piled against the walls of firewood and coconuts, countless plantations of coconut palms, bananas and pineapples, as well as fields of taro, yams and cassava. These root crops taste like potatoes and are sold in huge baskets in local markets. Many fruit trees grow unattended along roads and paths: breadfruit, mangoes, papaya and avocados are everywhere, as are coconuts. The latter should be avoided and often look up - head injuries from falling coconuts are far from rare.
The capital is small: the city center can be walked in about thirty minutes. Black pigs and chickens roam near the white European-looking buildings. On the main street - embassies different countries, the prime minister's house, offices, supermarkets, restaurants, Chinese shops and several churches. Tonga has an impressive number of Christian churches: Pentecostals, Mormons, Jehovah's servants, Seventh-day Adventists and others. The Polynesians sing in them soulfully, with wonderful voices - the locals have been learning to sing since childhood, in every school. However, a foreigner needs to get used to the church choir and the ringing of bells that resounds throughout the islands from dawn.
Christianity was preached in Tonga by missionaries who sailed here at the beginning of the 19th century. Religion is taken very seriously here: most schools and universities belong to a church, and religious provisions are included in the country's constitution. For example, for any work on Sunday, they can still be fined and even imprisoned for several months. On this day, you can’t do household chores or sports, fish - all residents must go to church or relax, that is, sleep. Most of the locals are happy to adhere to this law, settling down with whole families for picnics along the road near the coast. But swimming on Sunday is also not allowed, although tourists are usually ignored. However, visitors should keep in mind that on Sundays the already leisurely street life stops altogether: there is nowhere to buy water or food, and hardly anyone is lucky enough to go sightseeing - after all, this is also work.
Aboriginal people didn't eat Cook
Europeans learned about the existence of Tonga in 1616, after visiting the islands by Dutch explorers Schouten (Willem Cornelis Schouten, 1567? -1625) and Lemaire (Jacob Le Maire, 1585–1616). In 1777, James Cook's ship anchored off the Tongan coast. Here he was given the most warm welcome, so the captain called Tonga the "Islands of Friendship". Since then, the attitude of the islanders towards overseas guests has not changed: here they are still met with smiles, flowers and songs.
Ancient crafts have also been preserved in Tonga: the locals are engaged in the manufacture of tapas (Polynesian bast fabric) and various items woven from dried pandanus leaves. And they do it not so much for tourists, but still for their own needs. For example, tapa is used as a material for awnings, bedspreads and rugs, and taovala, a woven mat skirt, is an important attribute of national dress. Women and men wrap themselves in it on ceremonial or formal occasions. This custom appeared hundreds of years ago: when men returned home from sea voyages, before going ashore, they cut the sail and covered their nakedness as a sign of respect to the leader.
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Tonga or Kingdom of Tonga- Pacific Island state in the South Pacific Ocean in Polynesia, located on 176 islands of the archipelago of the same name. It borders in the north with the territorial waters of Samoa, in the east - with the territorial waters of Niue, in the west - with the waters of Fiji. The total area is 748 km². The capital is Nuku'alofa.
The archipelago stretches from north to south for about 631 km, and from east to west for about 209 km. The largest island groups that make up the Kingdom are the islands of Vavau, Tongatapu and Ha'apai. A minor group, the Niuas Islands, consists of three small islands, Niuafoou, Tafahi and Niuatoputapu, which are the northernmost islands of the country.
Some of the islands of the archipelago are of coral origin, some are of volcanic origin. Over the past two hundred years, more than 35 volcanic eruptions have been recorded on the islands.
One of the largest volcanoes in Tonga with a height of 515 m is located on the island of Tofua, which is the top of an underwater stratovolcano. The width of the volcano caldera is 5 km, and there is also a caldera freshwater lake on it. Most high volcano The country is located on the island of Kao: it rises to 1030 m above sea level. Other large volcanoes are located on the islands of Fonualei, Lata, Niuafoou. The continued high volcanic activity in the region is often accompanied by the formation of small ephemeral islands.
On January 24, 1972, Tonga presented its claims to the Minerva reefs, located south of the kingdom, and already annexed them on June 15. As a result, the country's territorial waters were significantly expanded. This move was subsequently recognized by the South Pacific Forum. However, the ownership of the reefs is still disputed by Fiji.
Flora and fauna
Due to the humid tropical climate, part of the islands is covered with tropical forests.
Animal world extremely poor. The archipelago is home to 12 species of reptiles (one species is endemic) and 2 species of bats, which are the only indigenous mammals of the islands. Sea turtles, mollusks, fish are found in coastal waters.
A large number of birds live and nest on the archipelago. A total of 73 bird species have been recorded in the archipelago, 2 of which are endemic. On some islands there are bird markets where sea birds nest.
On the territory of Tonga there are two national parks (on the island of Eua and Mount Talau on the island of Vavau) and six reserves.
Climate in Tonga
The climate in Tonga is hot, tropical, influenced by the southeast trade winds. Two seasons are clearly distinguished: the rainy season (November-April) and the dry season (May-October). The average annual air temperature in the country is +23…+26 °C. In hot rainy months, the temperature on the islands usually fluctuates between +25…+26 °C, and in dry cool months - between +21…+24 °C.
The rainiest months of the year are January, February and March, each of which can receive up to 250 mm of rain. The average annual rainfall varies significantly from year to year: abnormally rainy or, conversely, dry months often occur. The main reason for the variations is the El Niño phenomenon and tropical cyclones. During El Niño, long droughts are observed on the islands, and during cyclones, heavy rains are observed.
Tonga is subject to the negative effects of tropical cyclones, which often reach destructive force. On average, 1-2 cyclones are recorded annually in the country, most of which are timed to coincide with the rainy season (most often February).
Last changes: 05/01/2013Population
Population - 120,898 (2009). Urban population - 23%.
The average life expectancy for men is 67.9 years, for women - 73.1 years.
Almost 97% of the country's inhabitants are Tongans, representatives of the indigenous Polynesian people, 1.6% are representatives of mixed marriages of Tongans and other peoples. The share of foreigners (Europeans, immigrants from other Pacific Islanders and Asians) is minimal.
The dominant religion in Tonga is Christianity.
The official languages are English and Tongan (one of the numerous languages of the Polynesian group of Austronesian languages, along with Hawaiian, Maori, Samoan, Tahitian and others).
The writing of the Tongan language was created in the first half of the 19th century by European missionaries.
Last changes: 05/01/2013Currency
Monetary unit of the Kingdom of Tonga- paanga (TOP or T$). There are 7 coins in circulation in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 seniti, as well as 7 banknotes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 paanga.
The pa'anga itself is not a convertible currency, but is pegged to a basket of currencies consisting of the Australian dollar, New Zealand dollar, US dollar, and Japanese yen.
Banks are open from Monday to Friday, from 09.00 to 16.00, some large banking offices are open on Saturdays, from 08.30 to 11.30.
Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and exchange offices. Some hotels also provide currency exchange, but at lower rates than banks.
Bank cards for big islands can be used everywhere, on small islands their use may not be possible.
Traveler's checks can be cashed at banks, some hotels and large stores. To avoid additional costs associated with exchange rate fluctuations, it is recommended that you bring checks in US dollars or Australian dollars.
Last changes: 05/01/2013Communication and communications
Telephone code: 676
Internet domain: .to
Ambulance - 933, fire department - 999, police - 922, emergency service(for all cases) - 911
Phone codes of cities
Intercity phone codes missing.
How to call
To call from Russia to Tonga, you need to dial: 8 - beep - 10 - 676 - subscriber's number.
To call from Tonga to Russia, you need to dial: 00 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.
Fixed line
Pay phones (you can make an international call from them) work with prepaid cards sold at post offices, newsstands and shops.
Most hotels have direct access to international telephone lines, but calls from rooms in most cases are made through an operator and cost 15-20% more.
Cellular communication of the GSM 900 standard. The coverage area currently covers mainly large populated islands and the capital.
Local cellular carriers are Tonga Communications Corporation and Digicel.
Local SIM cards can be purchased at the company's offices, at the post office and at the airport.
Last changes: 05/01/2013shopping
Usually shops are open from Monday to Friday, from 08.00 to 17.00, on Saturdays from 08.00 to 12.00, however, many private shops work according to their own schedule.
Popular souvenirs in Tonga are products (rugs, clothes) from Tapa. Tapa - fabric made from processed bast, is an important attribute of national clothing. Last changes: 15.09.2010
Sea and beaches
Beaches stretch along the coasts of the islands, most of which are composed of white coral sand. On volcanic islands you can find beaches made of black volcanic sand.
Last changes: 05/01/2013Story
Polynesians began to settle the islands of Tonga as early as the 13th century BC. e. The islands of Tonga played a connecting role, served as a starting point from which the further development of Oceania began. The Tongans made long voyages, attacking the inhabitants of many islands of Oceania and imposing tribute on them.
Starting from the 10th century, the hereditary power of the "sacred" leaders of the Tui-Tong was established on the islands of Tonga, Samoa and part of Fiji. The founder of the dynasty was Ahoeitu. In the middle of the 15th century, a reform of power took place, and the deputies of the Tui-Tong, who bore the title of Tui-haatakalaua, began to play the main role in administration. The Tui-haatakalaua performed civil power functions and began to have real power, while the Tui-tonga received nominal power (in fact, they were left to perform ritual functions). The next stage, at the beginning of the 17th century, marked the loss of power of the tui-haatakalula. The real power passed to the minister of war, who bore the title of tui-kanokupolu, and after 100 years the title of the former rivals of tui-haatakalaula was eliminated.
In 1773, 1774, 1777 the islands were visited by British traveler James Cook, who gave them the name "Friendship Islands". Since 1797, Christian missionaries began to arrive in Tonga, but only in 1828 did they manage to establish themselves in the archipelago and begin converting the Tongans to Christianity.
In 1845, leaving no heirs, the last thirty-ninth Tui-Tong of Luafilitong died. Taking advantage of this, George Tupou I, who ruled the Tui-kanokupolu Oneou, concentrated power in one hand and proclaimed himself the king of Tonga. Relying on the support of Christian missionaries, he carried out a number of reforms that strengthened the feudal system and royal power, and also laid the foundations state structure and social relations, preserved in many ways to the present day. In the 1870s and 1880s, France, Germany, Great Britain and the United States signed treaties with Tonga recognizing the independence of the kingdom.
In the period from 1900 to 1970, the Kingdom of Tonga was under the protectorate of Great Britain. At the same time, local kings retained their power. In 1970, the islands of Tonga gained independence. Tonga becomes a member of the UN.
Last changes: 05/01/2013Monarchy of Tonga
The head of state is the King - since September 11, 2006 - George Tupou V.
The principle of succession to the throne is enshrined in Article 32 of the current Constitution. The heir to the throne must be born in wedlock. The throne is transferred to the eldest son, and in case of death - to his heirs. If the eldest son has no children, then the throne is transferred to the second oldest son (that is, the younger brother of the eldest son) or his heirs, and so on through the male line. If the male line is interrupted in the royal family, then the throne is inherited by the eldest daughter and her heirs (and further according to the same principle as in the male line). If there are no heirs left in the female line, then the throne is transferred to the descendants and legal heirs of William Tunga (former governor of Vavau, prince consort and prime minister of Tonga). If there are no legitimate heirs along this line, then the king can independently (with the approval of the House of Peers) appoint his heir during his lifetime. If this has not been done, then the Prime Minister or the Cabinet, in his absence, must convene the peers of the Legislative Assembly, which, at a meeting of the House of Peers, must choose one of the leaders as king by vote, thus founding a new royal dynasty.
Any member of the royal family who is endowed with the right of succession to the throne has no right to marry without the consent of the king, otherwise, a potential heir who has acted in this way against the will of the king may be deprived of his legal rights to the throne. In addition, the throne cannot pass to a person who has committed a criminal offense or who is of unsound mind or imbecile.
According to the Constitution, the person of the king is sacred, and he himself is the master of all the leaders and all the people of Tonga. He runs the country, but the ministers are responsible. All bills that pass through the Legislative Assembly must be signed by the king before they take effect. The King of Tonga is the supreme commander of the land and sea forces of the country.
Last changes: 05/01/2013All tap water is chlorinated and is completely safe to drink. However, it is recommended to use bottled water for drinking.
In Tonga, wearing bathing suits or bikinis in public is discouraged. When leaving the beach, it is necessary to cover bare areas of the body, and it is better for women to wear long skirts, and for men - light trousers and a shirt (t-shirt).
Nudism is illegal in Tonga.
Last changes: 05/01/2013Tourism
long time The tourism sector of the Tongan economy was relatively underdeveloped. Only in 1966, the government of the kingdom took the first major step towards the development of tourism in the archipelago: the largest hotel in the country, the International Dateline Hotel, was built. Currently, tourism plays an important role in the economy of Tonga, being one of the main sources of foreign exchange inflows.
In 2004, 41,208 tourists visited the country, which is almost 10,000 more than in 1999, when 30,949 people visited the country. The country is mainly visited by tourists from New Zealand, Australia and the United States.
The main purposes of the trip for tourists are spending vacations on the islands, as well as visiting friends and relatives, and the main types of recreation for foreigners are diving, sport fishing, cultural tourism, sailing and surfing.
Last changes: 05/01/2013How to get to Tonga
There is no direct air service between Russia and Tonga. The most convenient way to Tonga from Russia is through Australia or New Zealand.
Another option is to fly via Fiji. The ticket price here is higher, and the frequency of flights is much less than from the first two countries.
Airlines flying from Australia to Tonga pacific blue .
Airlines flying from New Zealand to Tonga Air New Zealand .
Airlines flying from Fiji to Tonga Air Pacific .
Last changes: 19.03.2017Kingdom of Tonga is an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is located on the Tonga archipelago, which consists of three island groups - Vavau, Haapai, Tongatapu, and individual islands lying north of the archipelago (about 200 islands). Area - 699 km2; population - 99.1 thousand people. The capital is Nuku'alofa. Believers are mostly Protestants.
The Tonga archipelago consists of two parallel chains of islands - western and eastern. The western chain, more than 700 km long, is made up of mountainous volcanic islands. The sharp peaks of the mountains rise here over 1000 m, there are active volcanoes. The eastern chain of mountains includes coral islands ranging in height from a few meters to 200 m. Massifs of dense tropical rainforests grow mainly on the volcanic islands of Vavau and Eua.
Only 36 islands are inhabited, with over 60% of the population living on the main island of Tongatapu. Over 1/3 of the population is concentrated in the cities of Nukualofa (Tongatapu Island), Pangai (Lifuka Island), Neiafu (Vavau Island), the rest live in small villages. About 90% of the population is employed in agriculture and small businesses. Food crops include coconut palm, yams, taro, mangoes, bananas, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, melons and vegetables.
NATURE
RELIEF
The islands are divided into three main groups: Vavau, Ha'apai and Tongatapu. To the north of Vavau are the small islands of Niuafoou, Niutoputapu and Tafahi.
The largest islands are of volcanic origin, the rest of the islands are coral.
CLIMATE
The climate is tropical, maritime.
RIVERS AND LAKES
There are rivers only on the islands of Eua and Niuatoputapu. Volcanic islands have lakes in volcanic craters (Tofua).
VEGETATION
The flora of the islands of Tonga has 263 genera. The vegetation is more similar to the flora of the western islands of Oceania, although it contains many oriental elements.
ANIMAL WORLD
The species diversity of mammals is limited. Rats and mice introduced by Europeans are widespread, and from local species - flying foxes (the bat family), deified by the population.
Tonga - climate
The Tonga archipelago has a humid tropical climate. On southern islands annual temperature fluctuations reach 5 degrees, and on northern islands they are practically absent. The hottest month is February. February in the Northern Isles daily temperatures air reaches 30..32 degrees of heat, in the south - 29..31 degrees of heat, and night temperatures in the north of the archipelago drop to +25 degrees, in the south - to +23 degrees. It is slightly cooler in July-September, at this time on the northern islands during the day the air warms up to +28..+29 degrees, and at night it cools to +23 degrees, in the north the corresponding figures are +25 and +18 degrees.
The rainy season is from November to April. At this time, powerful tropical cyclones come to the region, which bring stormy weather and often cause destruction. The greatest amount of precipitation falls on the northern islands - up to 2500 mm per year. On the southern islands, up to 1700 mm of precipitation falls annually. The rainiest month is March, when up to 300 mm of precipitation falls. From May to October, relatively dry weather is established with a predominance of southeast trade winds.
Eua island
Located 40 km south of Tongatapu, it is a hilly and quite picturesque coral atoll crowning the top of an underwater volcano. The second largest in the Tongatapu group, the island is quite strikingly different from its northern neighbor - rugged and mountainous, with largest areas natural shrub and rainforest, it is ideal for hiking, trekking and even, in some places, rock climbing. Almost the entire island has been turned into one large nature reserve - the largest natural forest in the archipelago is located here and the most diverse bird community lives here. In addition, the island is easily accessible - numerous ferries from Nukualofa go here (travel time is about 2 hours), planes fly (the flight from the capital takes 8 minutes - probably the shortest air route in the world), and numerous excursion ships come from all over the Great Ocean. In addition to the protected area, the sights of the island are the countless caves and karst wells of the central region (many of them are hidden under the canopy of vegetation, so you should be very careful when moving around the island), the ruins of the once majestic Anokula Palace on top of a 120-meter cliff, which offers a beautiful panorama of Eula and the surrounding waters, the excellent Tufuvai beach with white sand and rich coral reef, and best beach on the island - Haaluma, lying on the south coast.
Haapai Group
Consists of 68 small islands that form the geological and geographical center of Tonga. Most of the islands are small, low-lying coral atolls, with the exception of the volcanic islands of Tofua (whose volcano is still active) and the dormant volcano of Cao Island to the west. main island group, or rather, a vast atoll, uniting three relatively major islands and about fifty smaller ones, also called Ha'apai, famous for their ancient city Pangai and the famous mutiny on the ship "Bounty", which happened in its waters in 1789. James Cook used these islands as a holiday destination, stopping at Namuka in 1774 and 1777 and at Lifuka in 1783. In 1995, the entire Ha'apai group was declared a protected area to protect the fragile coral reef ecosystems.
Island Lifuka
It occupies the central part of the Ha'apai Atoll and is almost entirely occupied by agricultural land surrounded by fantastically beautiful beaches. Swimming and snorkelling is especially good off the west coast, while the east coast is wild and constantly pounded by ocean waves. On the southern tip of the island is the grave of Olovekhi (XVIII century) - a cult place for every islander, since Nanasipauu, the beloved heroine, is buried here. local legends and a relative of the ruling royal family. To the south is the Ahau-Bating Well basin and the famous archaeological site of Lifuka, where Lapita pottery dating back to the 1st millennium BC was discovered. And in the sleepy capital of the island, you can enjoy the leisurely pace of life, see the monument to Shirley Baker and the fortress of Velata.
Tofua
- one of the largest and the most beautiful volcanoes Tonga. An almost perfect cone of volcano rises above the idyllic waters of the sea in the western part of the Ha'apai group, home to the best cava on the islands and home to unique volcanic sand beaches. characteristic feature of this island is a freshwater lake located in the central caldera almost at sea level. It is here that Captain Bligh and his companions hid in caves on the sheltered northwest coast, it is here that you can see, though small, but very ancient rainforest, full of birds and giant ferns. And it is this piece of land that is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the region - last eruption recorded here in May - June 2006.
Island Nomuka
has always been famous among sailors as one of the most reliable sources of drinking water among the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean. Most of it is occupied by a brackish lake surrounded by low hills. The island is ideal for hiking, but the local villagers, due to the understandable lack of land, are not very kind to trampling their crops, so most excursions here are carried out by sea.
30 km west of Nomuk is located underwater volcanic massif Falcon, which is one of the most active parts of the earth's crust on the planet. During its turbulent history in this place more than once rose from the abyss of the island, then disappeared just as without a trace. The last of these ghost islands, which reached a length of 2 km by 1949 at an altitude of 320 m above sea level, disappeared in just a week. However, even today, in clear local waters, you can see several underwater calderas and still active fumaroles.
Lying 240 km north of Tongatapu, islands of Vavau(Vavuka) is made up of 50 densely forested atolls, of which the locals say: "one hotel, one motel, one resort and four guests." Indeed, despite the most beautiful beaches and unique conditions for sea fishing and diving, these islands are little known to foreign tourists. At the same time, here you can find unique conditions for studying marine life - the transparency of the water all year round exceeds 30 meters, and excellent diving sites stretch along the entire perimeter of the islands. You can also visit the royal residence of Fangatongo, the viewpoint on Mount Talo or the lively and cheap Sailoamé market in Neiafu.
The large calm lagoon formed by the islands of Hunga, Kalau and Fofoa resembles a huge volcanic lake and is one of the best marinas in the region. The cliffs at Hungai are an ideal place to watch migrating herds of humpback whales (June to November). Lying south atoll Foeata has excellent white shores and fantastic snorkeling conditions. On Nuapapu Atoll there is Mariners Cave, and on Cape there is Swellous Cave, inhabited by hundreds of Salangans (Collocalia) that build their nests under the arches of grottoes (this cave leaves its base in the sea, and the transparency of the water here reaches a fantastic 50 m, so this place is very popular with divers).
To the north of the Vavau group, about 510 km from Tongatapu, lie lost in the ocean Niua islands(Niauas) - Niuatoputapu and Niuafoou (total area 18 sq. km). Even the locals know much less about this land than about New Zealand or England, these islands are so far from the world they are used to. However, this piece of land is considered one of the last strongholds of "pure" Polynesian culture, where the most ancient skills and traditions of the "peoples of the sea" are still preserved. At the same time, the locals are very friendly and welcoming, and the small size of the islands allows you to freely explore them on foot or in a light canoe. You can climb the perfect Tafahi volcanic cone, take a tour around the barren lava flows, swim in beautiful lake Wai Lahi on Niuafoou, visit the sleepy capital of Niuatoputapu - Hihio (Iaio) or relax on the magnificent white shores of the islands.
TONGATAPU
The main island of Tonga lies in the southern group of the same name, being at the same time the largest piece of land in the archipelago (an area of about 259 sq. km). This relatively flat coral island, whose elevation barely exceeds an average of 8 meters above sea level, rises on the south side with coastal cliffs almost 20 meters high.
EUA
Eua Island, located 40 km south of Tongatapu, is a hilly and quite picturesque coral atoll crowning the top of an underwater volcano. The second largest in the Tongatapu group, the island is quite strikingly different from its northern neighbor - mountainous, with the largest areas of natural rainforest.
LIFUKA
Lifuka Island occupies the central part of the Ha'apai Atoll and is almost entirely occupied by agricultural land, surrounded by fantastically beautiful beaches.
TOFUA
Tofua is one of the largest and most beautiful islands in Tonga. It is crowned by the very active volcano Lofia (518 m.)
KAO
A dormant volcano (in the form of a cone) of Khao Island in the west of Tofua, rises to a height of more than 1000 meters. The area of the island is only 12.4 sq. km
NOMUKA
Nomuka Island has always been famous among sailors as one of the most reliable sources of drinking water in the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean. Most of it is occupied by a brackish lake surrounded by low hills.
WAVAU GROUP
Lying 240 km north of Tongatapu, the Vavau (Vavuka) Islands consist of 50 densely forested islands.
NIUA ISLANDS (NIUAS)
To the north of the Vavau group, about 510 km from Tongatapu, lie the islands of Niua, Niuatoputapu and Niuafoou, lost in the ocean.
Hotels Reviews
For all four days of our stay on the island of Tongatapu of the Kingdom of Tonga, we managed to live (sleep overnight, because we were on the road during the days) in two hotels, spend the whole day in another luxury resort (on Fafa Island), and for a couple of minutes (to dine, rest or plunge into the ocean) look at several different classes of hotels. I'll start in order.
What we saw in the first hours of our stay in the Kingdom of Tonga was alarming and frightening. Lord, what hole are we going to live in?! But the LagoonLodge hotel pleased us. Moreover, no one expected this joy, if only there were no living creatures in the rooms, and okay. But here, lo and behold!
Huge, spacious two-room suites with a kitchen and a huge loggia overlooking the lagoon. We learned about the lagoon in the morning when we went out to the loggia, and in the late evening we just felt its presence :)
The kitchen is equipped with a kettle to a gas stove. In fact, it was not a number, but a spacious two-room apartment. And FREE Internet, barely breathing, but it was!!! A weak breakfast was brought directly to the room: cereal with milk, a gram of fruit (watermelon and papaya), two slices of toast bread (make your own toast - there is a toaster), butter (not butter, but a spread) and a couple of a la carte jams. All. Coffee, tea - at least fill up, everything is in the room.
One of the days we spent in Tonga, we completely devoted to relaxing on a luxury island-hotel (I came up with this category of hotels myself :)) FafaIslandResortTonga. A chic, not crowded island, which can only be reached by yacht. By the way, on a small island there was snow-white sand and a complete absence of waves!
Required phones and addresses
Reference phones
Tongatapu Tourist Office - (+676) 25-334, Vavau - (+676) 70-115, Ha'apai - (+676) 60-733.
emergency services
Unified Rescue Service (fire department, police and ambulance) - 911.
USEFUL ADDRESSES
BRITISH VISA CENTERS IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION
UK Visa Application Center in Moscow:
Direct lane, 12, building 1.
EMBASSY OF THE GREAT BRITAIN IN UKRAINE:
9 Desyatinna St, 01025, Kyiv, Ukraine
Phone: (+ 380 44) 462 0011
Fax: (+ 380 44) 462 0013
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You must have JavaScript enabled to view. .u
THERE ARE NO EMBASSIES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND CIS COUNTRIES ON THE TERRITORY OF TONGA!
THE NEAREST REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IS IN NEW ZEALAND
EMBASSY OF CHINA IN TONGA
Address: Vunaroad, Nuku`alofa, KingdomofTonga Vuna street, Nuku`alofa,
Kingdom of Tonga PO Box: P.O. box 877 P.O.
box 877
Country code (Tonga): 00676
Phone: 24554 Fax: 24595
Cuisine of Tonga
vegetable bases
The cuisine of Tonga since antiquity has been built mainly on a vegetable basis, which is grown by the population itself: these are various coconuts, bananas, yams and taro. Seafood was also very popular: in special earthen ovens, fish wrapped in banana leaves were baked, numerous mollusks were eaten raw. In the form of drinks in the cuisine of Tonga, only coconut milk was used. The people of Tonga also raised pigs, but they slaughtered them only on holidays and on special occasions.
First Europeans
In the nineteenth century, the first Europeans appeared on the archipelago, who brought with them many new plants for these places. So, for example: lemons, oranges, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, onions, which were cultivated faster and easier than yams. Also, gourds gradually appeared in the cuisine of Tonga, like watermelon, which quickly entered the diet of the islanders, they began to make soft drinks from it: watermelon juice with the addition of other juices, like coconut milk, mango, pineapple.
Healing drink Tonga - Kava
Tongan cuisine includes a unique healing drink "kava". This drink spread from Polynesia and is better known as a narcotic drink, which is made from the roots of the lat plant. They are treated for diarrhea, headache, malarial hemoglobinuria, asthma, insomnia, indigestion, cancer, leprosy, tuberculosis, and more.
In local mythology, there is a legend that explains the origin of the widely known drink "kava" in the cuisine of Tonga. The leader of Loau, when there was famine in the country, visited his servant Fewa'ang with his wife Fefaf, this couple was in the Eueiki archipelago. They had nothing to treat their guest with, and then they decided to kill their own daughter Kava'onau (at that time she was ill with an incurable disease), and cook an exquisite dish out of her for their master. However, the leader found out about this, flatly refused the dish and ordered their daughter to be buried in the garden. The servants had nothing to do but obey his order: they buried their daughter's head under one tree, and her insides under another. After a week, 2 different plants grew in the burial places of the daughter, and no one knew their names. Later, the plant that grew out of the girl’s head was called “kava”, and the one that grew from the insides was called “sugar cane”.
earth oven
In Tongan cuisine, an earth oven is widely used, in which all kinds of dishes are baked: corned beef baked in taro leaves with coconut milk and onions, lamb baked with bananas in taro leaves, soup using coconuts and ripe bananas.
Tips
Tonga language
Official language: Tongan, English
Currency of Tonga
International name: TOP
Paanga is equal to 100 senity.
In circulation there are banknotes of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 paanga, as well as coins of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 seniti. Almost everywhere, New Zealand and Australian dollars are accepted for payment.
Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks and specialized exchange offices. Since exchange offices are quite rare, it is recommended to use the offices of the Bank of Tonga, ports and the airport. Some hotels also provide currency exchange, but at lower rates than banks.
Credit cards on the larger islands can be used at most major outlets. On the outer islands, Visa and MasterCard are accepted for payment in some transport and travel agencies, in hotels and large stores.
Traveler's checks can be cashed at banks, some hotels and large stores. It is recommended to take checks in US dollars or Australian dollars with you, the rate of checks in pounds sterling is also stable.
Customs restrictions
The import and export of national or foreign currency in a limited amount is allowed on the territory of the country. The import of weapons, ammunition, pornography, drugs and drug-containing medicines into the territory of the state is prohibited. A special certificate is required when importing birds, animals, fruits and plants. The export of representatives of flora and fauna, some valuable handicrafts, as well as corals raised from the bottom of the sea is prohibited outside the territory of the country.
Mains voltage
220V
Tips
Tipping and other additional fees vary greatly depending on the institution, so it is best to negotiate them in advance. According to Polynesian tradition, tips are a gift and must be given away, so many establishments do not have them at all. For the same reason, it is not accepted to bargain.
Purchases
For all goods and services outside hotel business A government tax of 5% is added. The shops duty free is on Tongatapu and Vavau.
The usual opening hours of commercial establishments are from Monday to Friday, from 08.00 to 17.00, on Saturdays from 08.00 to 12.00, however, many private shops operate on their own schedule.
Office Hours
Banks are open from Monday to Friday, from 09.00 to 16.00, large banking offices in Nuku'alofa and Neiafu are open on Saturdays, from 08.30 to 11.30.
Safety
It is not recommended to carry large amounts of cash with you. You should not demonstrate expensive dresses, jewelry and expensive photo or video equipment outside the respective establishments. "Deals" offered by strangers on the street should be avoided at all costs. It is not recommended to use ATMs at night or exchange money with strangers.
Women traveling alone should expect increased attention from local men. This is usually expressed in various verbal comments and rarely turns into threatening forms, but the usual caution here clearly does not hurt.
Holidays
1st of January - New Year
beginning - mid-April - Good Friday and Easter
April 25 - Soldier's Day
May 4th - Birthday of the Crown Prince, current King George TaufaahauTupou V
June 4 - Independence Day
July 4 - Birthday of King Tupou IV
November 4 - Constitution Day
December 4 - First King's Day, Tupou I
December 25 - Christmas
December 26 - Boxing Day
Transport
There are no railroads. The length of roads is 680 km.
Foreign trade Industrial crops, copra, bananas and citrus fruits, the famous Tongan watermelons, and fish are exported. Imports consist of manufactured goods, fuels and non-Tong-ga food products. Main foreign trade partners: Japan, China, New Zealand.
The shops
All goods and services outside the hospitality industry are subject to a 5% government tax. There are duty free shops in Tongatapu and Vavau. The usual opening hours of commercial establishments are from Monday to Friday, from 08.00 to 17.00, on Saturdays from 08.00 to 12.00, however, many private shops operate on their own schedule. Service in the restaurants and shops of the islands is rather slow, but the staff is polite and friendly.
In this case, we do not mean those states where the British Queen is formally the head ( Solomon islands, New Zealand, Papua - New Guinea and etc.). Tonga has its own king!
The King is the head of state of Tonga. The Constitution approved the principle of succession to the throne: the heir must be born in marriage. The throne is transferred to the eldest son, and in case of death - to his heirs. If the eldest son has no children, then the throne passes to the second oldest son or his heirs, and so on through the male line. If the male line is interrupted in the royal family, then the throne is inherited by the eldest daughter and her heirs (according to the same principle as in the male line).
Any member of the royal family who has the right of succession to the throne is not allowed to marry without the consent of the king. The throne cannot pass to a person who has committed a criminal offense or is of unsound mind or feeble-minded.
The person of the king is sacred, and he himself is the master of all the leaders and all the people of Tonga. He governs the country, signs all bills, is the supreme commander of the land and sea forces of the country, appoints all officers, regulates the training and control of military forces, has the right to declare war (with the permission of the Legislative Assembly), the right to pardon (with the permission of the Privy Council), the right to convene and dissolve the Legislative Assembly at its own discretion, the right to sign treaties with foreign states, appoint diplomatic representatives of Tonga in other states, etc. In a word, “kings can do everything!”
The Pacific Kingdom of Tonga is located in Polynesia, on 172 islands of the Tonga archipelago. It has no land borders, only sea borders: the waters of Samoa, the waters of Niue and the waters of Fiji.
The Tongans translate the name of their country (Tonga) as "garden".
State symbols of the Kingdom of Tonga
Flag- a red cloth with an aspect ratio of 1:2 with a red cross in the form of a roof (a quarter of the cloth). It was officially adopted in 1875.
Coat of arms- three swords in the lower right part of the shield symbolize the three dynasties of the kings of Tonga. Tonga was unified by the king Xiaoshi Tupou I, who initiated the formation of the first official government of the Kingdom of Tonga and the official emblem of the state. The dove with an olive branch at the bottom left symbolizes the wish of the people of Tonga that there will always be peace in the Kingdom. The three stars in the upper left represent the main island groups of Tonga: the islands of Tongatapu, Vavau and Haapai. The crown in the upper right part of the coat of arms symbolizes the reigning monarch. At the bottom of the emblem is the national motto of the state: "Ko e ʻOtua mo Tonga ko hoku Tofiʻa" (from the Tongan language: "God and Tonga are my heritage").
In Tonga, there is no official description of the coat of arms of the Kingdom, so some government agencies may have different seals.
The coat of arms was adopted in 1875, at the same time as the creation of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Tonga.
State structure of the Kingdom of Tonga
head of state- king.
Head of the government- Prime Minister.
Capital- Nukualofa.
The largest city- Nukualofa.
official languages- English, Tongan.
Currency- paanga.
Territory- 748 km².
Population– 120 898 people Almost 97% of the inhabitants are Tongans. The proportion of foreigners (including Europeans) is minimal. Despite the poor attitude of the local population, there are still a significant number of Chinese in the trading business in Tonga.
Administrative division- 5 administrative districts.
Dominant religion- Christianity. The dominant church in Tonga is the Free Wesleyan Church.
In Tonga, there is a permanent armed force (Tong Defense Forces). Their main functions are: protection of the Kingdom, support of civil power, assistance to it in maintaining order, and other duties assigned to them by the king. The armed forces consist of a regular, territorial army and a reserve.
Economy. The main exports of Tonga are zucchini, vanilla, fish, kava (intoxicating pepper used in medicine). Food products, engineering products and Vehicle, fuel, chemical products.
An important sector of the economy is Agriculture. The main crops are coconut palm (copra is produced from the oily endosperm of the nuts of this plant), bananas, vanilla, zucchini, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper, yams (the main source of starch).
One of the national treasures of Tonga is fish. Various types of sea mollusks are grown: some of them are for domestic consumption, and the shells are used to make souvenirs for tourists. Attempts are being made to grow oysters and pearls.
The main types of recreation for tourists are diving, sport fishing, cultural tourism, sailing, surfing, camping.
Tonga has television, Internet and mobile communications.
Education- already in 1876, universal primary education was introduced on the islands of Tonga. The education system in the Kingdom is of a high level compared to other countries in Oceania, the country has a high literacy rate: 98.9%.
Education in Tonga is compulsory and free for children aged 6 to 14. The educational system consists of several levels: six years of primary education, seven years of secondary education and higher education (from six months to three years).
After graduating from high school, further education can be obtained in 14 educational institutions (of which 8 are government), including the Institute of Vocational Education and Training, the Polytechnic Institute, the College of Education, the School of Nursing. Queen Salote and the Special School of the Tongan Police. The campus of the University of the South Pacific is located in Nuku'alofa.
Nature of Tonga
Of the 172 islands of Tonga, only 36 are inhabited. The most important islands are Tongatapu(the capital is located on it), Vavau, Niuatoputapu, Niuafoou, Tafahi, Ha'apai And eua. The Tonga archipelago is a collection of volcanic, uplifted coral islands and reefs, located on the tops of two parallel underwater ridges. Over the past 200 years, more than 35 volcanic eruptions have been recorded on the islands.
Climate- hot, tropical. Soils are quite fertile, but the number of permanent sources of fresh water is limited. There are lakes on the islands of Vavau, Niuafoou, Nomuka; on the islands of Eua and Niuatoputapu - small rivers.
Flora: The coral islands of Tonga are covered with tropical forests. But a significant part of the virgin forests was cleared for agricultural purposes, therefore, at present, part of these territories is covered with secondary vegetation, with a predominance of thickets of lanthanum and psidium, as well as meadows of sorghum and millet. Barringtoni and scaevola grow in the coastal regions of the islands. Herbaceous plants predominate in the region of volcanic craters, and foggy tropical forests, or nephelogiles, are located on the peaks of the Khao and Tafahi volcanoes.
Extensive tropical forests are preserved only on uninhabited and volcanic islands with sheer cliffs.
Flora: extremely poor, represented mainly by introduced species (imported). The archipelago is home to 12 species of reptiles and 2 species of bats, which are the only indigenous mammals. Sea turtles, mollusks, fish are found in coastal waters.
Many birds - 73 species. On some islands there are bird markets where sea birds nest.
On the territory of Tonga there are two national parks (on the island of Eua and Mount Talau on the island of Vavau) and six reserves.
Culture of Tonga
There are three main social groups in Tongan society: representatives of the royal family, nobility / leaders and common people. The position of a woman is traditionally considered more privileged than that of a man. But inheritance of land or titles is through the male line.
Among the folk instruments of Tonga, drums, slotted gongs, jew's harps, nasal flutes, shell pipes, ordinary shells, flutes.
A local variety of the jew's harp is the utete, which is made from a leaf of a coconut palm 25 cm long and 3 cm wide. Guitars are popular.
The official ceremonial dance is metupacks is a dance performed by men. This dance uses special paki fans and a Tongan slit drum, or nafa, which is played with two special wooden mallets.
Women's dances in Tonga are less formal. The most famous of these are the seated dance. otuhaka and standing dance ula. The musical accompaniment and hand movements in these dances are very similar, and they themselves, as a rule, are performed one after the other.
The well-known Tongan dance, which was declared by UNESCO in 2003 as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”, is lakalaka. It is performed by men and women from the same village (sometimes 400 in number), who line up in two rows: women on the left, men on the right. The dance begins with poetry, the performers practically stand still, only making special movements with their hands, while men use one movement and women use others, so it seems that two different dances are being performed.
Rugby, cricket, football are popular in Tonga, as well as many traditional entertainments (mainly for children): pani, hiko and lanita.
Pani: A game between two teams that uses a tennis ball and 10-12 aluminum cans. One of the teams has to build a small tower out of these cans, and the other team has to throw a tennis ball to knock down the tower. If at this moment a member of the other team touches the ball, then he is out of the game. If the team that rebuilt the first tower can rebuild it again, then they must count loudly to 10 and then shout "pani". With each shout of "pani", the team receives one point.
Attractions Tonga
Mua city
Of interest from the point of view of history and archeology is the city of Mua, located about 12 km from the capital of Tonga, the city of Nuku'alofa. It was from the 13th to the 19th centuries. the third capital of the Kingdom. In the northeastern part of Mua is the Lapaha district, the place of residence and the center of the supreme power of the Tui-Tong dynasty. It is also known as the geographical center of the Tongan Empire from the 13th to the 19th centuries. and as a burial place for supreme leaders (in total, there are presumably 22 graves, or langs, in Lapakha, which are small hills in the form of heavily truncated pyramids).
Trilith of Haamong-a-Maui
In the northern part of the island of Tongatapu, there is the famous 12-ton Haamonga-a-Maui trilith (translated from Tongan as "the burden of the god Maui") - the only megalithic arch in the South Pacific Ocean, consisting of three coral slabs 5 m high, 2 m wide and 6 m long (outwardly similar to Stonehenge).
The exact time of construction of the structure and its purpose is unknown. Presumably, it was built at the beginning of the 13th century. during the reign of the eleventh Tui-Tong Tuitatui. There are also several opinions about the functions of Haamong-a-Maui: the building was built by Tuitatui in order to reconcile his warring sons (the trilith was supposed to symbolize family ties between them); it could serve as an entrance to the royal territory that existed in this place in the past.
City of Nuku'alofa
Capital of the Kingdom of Tonga. Located on the island of Tongatapu. Nuku'alofa has a seaport and an airport.
The first European to land on the island of Tongapatu in 1643 was a Dutch navigator Abel Tasman. In 1773 and 1777 the territory of Nuku'alofa was visited by the English captain James Cook. By the middle of the XIX century. the island groups of Tonga were united under the rule of the king, who in 1900 signed an agreement with Great Britain establishing a protectorate over the kingdom. After the abolition of the protectorate in 1970, the country was proclaimed an independent state, and Nuku'alofa received the status of the capital of Tonga.
The main attraction of the capital of Tonga is Royal Palace, built in 1867. In the vicinity of the city, the ruins of the defensive structures of the ancient civilizations of Oceania and the tombs of the ancient Tongan aristocrats have been preserved. A lot of churches.
The city has many beaches. Many types of orchids grow in the city.
Volcano Tofua
Tofua- one of the largest and most beautiful islands and volcanoes in Tonga. The cone of the volcano rises above clear waters seas in the western part of the Ha'apai group. The best kava is grown here. In this place are unique beaches from volcanic sand. A feature of this island is a freshwater lake located almost at sea level. It was here that Captain Bligh and his companions hid in caves on the sheltered northwest coast. Here you can see a very ancient rainforest full of birds and giant ferns. And it is this piece of land that is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the region - the last eruption was recorded here in May-June 2006.
Eua National Park
The main reserve of the country. This quiet place with a rather weak recreation infrastructure, but it is known as one of the the best places in the Pacific Ocean for hiking and observations of the life of the ancient rainforest. About 120 species of birds live here, among which the red-breasted parrot "koki", found only on this island, stands out.
In the reserve in June-November you can watch migrating whales, relax on the Lokupo beach, swim in the waters of natural caves on the north coast.
History of Tonga
The islands of Tonga began to be settled by Polynesians as early as the 13th century. BC e. They served as the starting point for the further development of Oceania. The Tongans made long voyages, attacked the inhabitants of many islands in Oceania and imposed tribute on them.
From the 10th century on the islands of Tonga, Samoa and part of Fiji, the hereditary power of "sacred" leaders was established tui tonga. The founder of the dynasty was Ahoeita. In the middle of the XV century. there was a reform of power, and the main role in management began to play Tui Haatakalua. They performed civil power functions and began to have real power, and the Tui-Tonga received nominal power.
The islands of Tonga were open to Europeans Dutch sailors Willem Schouten And Jacob Lehmer in 1616
At the beginning of the XVII century. real power passed to the minister of war, who bore the title of tui-kanokupolu, and after 100 years the title of the former rivals of tui-haatakalaula was eliminated.
Since 1200 until 1851 the city was the capital of the archipelago Mua. Since 1797, Christian missionaries began to arrive in Tonga, but they established themselves here and began to convert the population to Christianity only in 1828.
In 1845, the last (thirty-ninth) Tui-Tong of Luafilitong died, leaving no heirs. Taking advantage of this, who ruled Tui-Kanokupolu Oneow George Tupow I concentrated power in one hand and proclaimed himself king of Tonga.
With the help of Christian missionaries, he carried out a number of reforms, strengthening the feudal system and royal power and laying the foundations of the state system and social relations, which have largely survived to this day.
In the 1870-1880s. France, Germany, Great Britain and the United States signed treaties with Tonga recognizing the independence of the kingdom.
Between 1900 and 1970 The Kingdom of Tonga was under the protectorate of Great Britain (local kings retained their power).
The islands of Tonga gained independence in 1970.