Fact 1. Just over 100,000 people live in the Kingdom of Tonga, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. This is less than the population of many Russian cities. For comparison, approximately 39 million people live in the world's largest urban agglomeration, formed by Tokyo and Yokohama, which is about 390 times the population of Tonga.
Fact 2. Tongans are Christians, and Sunday has been officially declared a day of rest throughout the country. This is not merely a tradition but a rule established by law. Working on Sundays is prohibited. However, this does not create any problems for local residents, as they enjoy a relaxed lifestyle and prefer not to rush through life.
Fact 3. The Kingdom of Tonga consists of 177 islands, but a significant number of them are uninhabited, and the vast majority of the population lives on only two main islands. The country's total land area is just 748 square kilometres. This is approximately equal to the area of the Kingdom of Bahrain and about half the size of Saint Petersburg.
Fact 4. The crime rate in Tonga is extremely low. Even ordinary theft is very rare. Interestingly, according to statistics, one of the leading causes of premature death is being struck on the head by falling coconuts. Since coconut palms bear fruit throughout the year, it is advisable to be cautious when standing beneath them.
Fact 5. Tourists wishing to visit Tonga usually have to fly through Australia, New Zealand, or Fiji. Air transportation is available, but flights do not operate every day, and tickets are quite expensive. The main reason is the lack of competition on this route.
Fact 6. The first ATMs in Tonga appeared only during the first decade of the 21st century. They were installed in the capital city of Nukuʻalofa. However, ATMs are not particularly popular because local residents prefer using cash. The national currency of the country is called the paʻanga.
Fact 7. Tonga has two official languages: Tongan and English. Most local residents speak both languages fluently. English is actively taught in schools because maintaining strong ties with New Zealand and Australia is of great importance to the country. Tonga itself was under British protection for a long time and gained full independence only in 1970.
Fact 8. Public transportation in Tonga mainly consists of minibuses, but their number is limited. Most local residents own their own means of transportation. Bicycles are also popular because all imported goods, including petrol, are relatively expensive. Despite the country's compact size, walking long distances in the tropical heat is not always comfortable.
Fact 9. Most of Tonga's islands are of volcanic rather than coral origin. As a result, the country's land area continues to increase slowly due to volcanic activity. However, this expansion is occurring more slowly than the growth of the population.
Fact 10. At first glance, the supermarkets in the capital may seem to offer a wide variety of products. In reality, however, the country mainly imports goods with a long shelf life, particularly canned foods. Local shop owners simply fill their shelves with large quantities of the same products to create the impression of abundance.