Global - Technology - Review

Once known as the Friendly Islands, Tonga is an archipelago consisting of about fifty inhabited islands, of both coral and volcanic origin, stretching across five hundred miles of the South Pacific. The nation was unique in avoiding European colonization, and is now in the process of moving from a largely autocratic to a constitutional form of monarchy. The economy has been damaged by poor investments in recent years; most people depend on subsistence agriculture, cultivating coconuts, coffee, vanilla, pumpkins and bananas. There is also some fishing. Remittances from the worldwide Tongan diaspora are also important. The climate is subtropical. The national sport is Rugby Union, and the national team has had some notable World Cup successes. Tongan music, crafts, folklore and dress are still an important part of the modern culture. Christianity is an important influence on society. The Tau’olunga dance is still performed by Tongan women in national costumes. Wood carving and traditional weaving are practised. ‘Otai is a popular fruit and coconut milk drink. Fruit, yams and cassava formed the basis of Tongan cuisine. Nuku’alofa on Tongatapu Island is the capital. Part of the city centre was destroyed in the riots of 2006, caused by ethnic tensions.