Population: 112,422 (July 2005 est.)

Capital: Nuku'alofa

Languages: Tongan, English

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

Government: hereditary constitutional monarchy

Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)

Terrain: most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base

Geography: archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)

Ethnic groups: Polynesian, Europeans about 300

Economy: Tonga, a small, open, South Pacific island economy, has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. Tourism is the second largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. High unemployment among the young, a continuing upturn in inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures are major issues facing the government.

GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,300 (2002 est.)

GDP real growth: 1.5% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate: 13.3% (1996 est.)

Internet country code: .to

Dial code: +676