{{country
|flag=Flag of Tonga.png
|arms=Arms of Tonga.png
|capital=Nuku'alofa
|government=Constitutional monarchy
|king=Tupou VI
|pm=ʻAkilisi Pohiva
|gdp=US$148.9 million
|pop=101,169
|pop-basis=(2006 census)
|gdp-year=(2003/2004)
|gdp-pc=US$1,287
}}
The '''Kingdom of Tonga''' is the last remaining [[Polynesia]]n kingdom in the [[Pacific Ocean|South Pacific]]. It consists of an [[archipelago]] located directly south of [[Western Samoa]]. Its 171 [[island]]s, 48 of them inhabited, are divided into three main groups—Vava'u, Ha'apai, and Tongatapu—and cover an 800-kilometer (500 mi.)-long north-south line.<ref>http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/16092.htm</ref>
Its largest and most populated island, [[Tongatapu]], on which the capital city of Nuku'alofa is located, covers 257 square kilometers (99 sq. mi.). Geologically the Tongan islands are of two types: most have a limestone base formed from uplifted coral formations; others consist of limestone overlaying a volcanic base.
Its population is about 100,000, mostly [[Christian]] and almost entirely Tongan in ethnicity. Their literacy rate is nearly 100%. Thanks to missionary work, about a third of Tongans are [[Mormon]], making Tonga the place with the greatest concentration of Mormons outside [[Salt Lake City]].<ref>''Condensed Knowledge'', New York: Random House, 2008.</ref>
Its government is a Constitutional hereditary monarchy, based on a [[constitution]] drafted in 1875 and revised in 1970, when it obtained its independence from [[Britain]]. Its [[GDP]] is US$148.9 million, and its per capita GDP is US$1,287. Its major natural resource is [[fish]].
Its Constitution declares the [[Sabbath]] to be sacred forever, and businesses (including entertainment) close on Sunday each week.
[[Image:Tonga Pangaimotu Island.jpg|thumb|Pangaimotu Island]]
Primary education between ages 6 and 14 is compulsory and free in state [[school]]s. The state owns and operates 99% of the primary schools and 44% of secondary schools. 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.
== References ==
<references/>
[[Category:Oceanian Countries]]
[[Category:IslandsArchipelagos]][[Category:LDS Church]][[Category:Micronations]]