Tonga

General Information
	Area: 748 sq km (289 sq miles). Population: 98,000 (1998). Population Density: 131 per sq km. Capital: Nuku'alofa. Population: 34,000 (1990). Geography: Tonga is an archipelago of 172 islands in the South Pacific, most of which are uninhabited, covering an area of 7700 sq km (3000 sq miles). The major island groups are Tongatapu and 'Eua, Ha'apai, Vava'u and the Niuas. Tonga's high volcanic and low coral forms give the islands a unique character. Some volcanoes are still active and Falcon Island in the Vava'u group is a submerged volcano that erupts periodically, its lava and ash rising above sea level forming a visible island which disappears when the eruption is over. Nuku'alofa, on Tongatapu Island, has a reef-protected harbour lined with palms. The island is flat with a large lagoon, but no running streams, and many surrounding smaller islands. 'Eua Island is hilly and forested with high cliffs and beautiful beaches. The Ha'apai Islands, a curving archipelago 160km (100 miles) north of Tongatapu, have excellent beaches. Tofua, the largest island in the group, is an active volcano with a hot steaming lake in its crater. The Vava'u Islands, 90km (50 miles) north of Ha'apai, are hilly, densely wooded and interspersed with a maze of narrow channels. They are known for their stalagmite-filled caves. Government: Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1970. Head of State: King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV since 1965. Head of Government: Prime Minister HRH Prince 'Ulukalala-Lavaka-Ata. Language: Tongan and English. Religion: Wesleyan Church, Roman Catholic, Anglican. Small denominations of the Muslim, Baha'i and Mormon faiths. Time: GMT + 13. Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications: Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 676. There are no area codes. Outgoing international code: 00. Mobile telephone: GSM 900. Network operators inlcude Tonga Communications Corporation. Fax: Services are provided by Cable & Wireless. Internet/E-mail: ISPs include Cable & Wireless (website: www.candw.to). Postal: The main post office is located in the centre of Nuku'alofa and open Mon-Fri 0830-1600. All mail must be collected from the post office. There are branch offices on Ha'apai and Vava'u. Press: The Tonga Chronicle, Matangi Tonga and The Times of Tonga are the English-language newspapers
Travel
	AIR: The main airlines serving Tonga are Royal Tongan Airlines (WR) and Air Pacific. Air New Zealand and Polynesian Airlines also serve the country. Air passes: The Polypass (offered by Polynesian Airlines) allows the holder to fly between the Southern Pacific destinations of American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga; Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia; and Auckland, Chirstchurch and Wellington in New Zealand. The pass is valid for one year. Once a reservation has been made and travel begun, all travel must be completed within a maximum of 45 days. Tickets will be issued against the Polypass by any Polynesian Airlines office (a valid passport is also required). The Visit the South Pacific Pass is valid for a number of airlines operating in the South Pacific, including Air Caledonie, Air Marshall Islands, Air Nauru, Air Niugingi, Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu, Polynesian Airlines, Qantas, Royal Tongan Airlines and Solomon Airlines. Offering reductions of up to 50 per cent on normal airfares, this sector-based pass allows for flexible island-hopping between the destinations of American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and the more remote Melanesian and Micronesian islands, together with major cities in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) and New Zealand (Wellington). The journey must be started outside the South Pacific and only one stopover in Australia is allowed. A minimum of two coupons must be bought before departure (a maximum of eight coupons can be purchased en route). For details and conditions, contact the South Pacific Tourism Organization or your travel agent. International airport: Fua'Amotu (TBU) is 15km (9 miles) from Nuku'alofa. Transport by taxi and bus is available. There are car rental services, bars, bank/bureau de change, shops, tourist information and a duty-free shop. Departure tax: T$20 for passengers over 12 years old. T$15 for passengers aged 12 years and under. Children under 1 year and transit passengers are exempt. SEA: Ports of entry are Nuku'alofa, Pangai, Neiafu and Niuatoputapu. There are no regular passenger services, but berths may be available on cruise ships.
Entry
	Passport Visa Return Ticket Required Australian  Yes  1  Yes British  Yes  1  Yes Canadian  Yes  1  Yes Japanese  Yes  1  Yes Other EU  Yes  1  Yes USA  Yes  1  Yes
	PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all. VISAS: 1. Visas are issued on arrival to nationals of all countries, provided visitors have a valid passport, valid onward or return tickets, proof of adequate funds for their stay, a valid visa for the onward destination (if applicable) and relevant health certificates (a yellow fever certificate and/or a valid cholera certificate is required by all travellers over 1 year old arriving from an infected area). Types of visa and cost: Tourist: free for first 30 days and T$26 for extensions. Business: T$75. Other visas: T$30. Validity: Visitors are usually allowed stays of up to 30 days. Extensions for a maximum of 6 months require permission from the Principal Immigration Officer.
Misc. Info
	CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Tonga’s customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Tonga of items such as firearms, explosives, motor vehicles, eggs, and certain types of alcohol. CRIME INFORMATION: The crime rate in Tonga is low. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Tonga are limited. The cities of Nuku'alofa and Neiafu have hospitals with emergency and outpatient facilities. Local residents and visitors with serious medical problems are often referred to New Zealand for treatment. Serious medical conditions requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Tonga is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Traffic moves on the left in Tonga. While roads in Nuku’alofa are paved, most other roads are not. Animals and unwary pedestrians walking in the road make night driving on unlit secondary roads hazardous. Safety of Public Transportation: Fair Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor Availability of Roadside Assistance: None available

Tonga Menu | Pacific Menu | Worldwide Destinations | SYP Main Menu

© 1997-2003