Tonga

Current Context: A 7.1 magnitude earthquake recently hit near Tonga, triggering a tsunami warning for the Pacific island nation.

About Tonga:

• Location: South Pacific Ocean, south of Samoa, east of Fiji.
• Geography: 169 islands (only 36 inhabited); western islands volcanic, eastern islands coral.
• Capital: Nuku‘alofa (on Tongatapu island).
• Political System: Constitutional monarchy; independent since 1970.
• Economy: Agriculture, fishing, and remittances are key contributors.
• Currency: Tongan Paʻanga (TOP).

Global Ties: Member of Commonwealth and United Nations.