Tonga: flag, capital, currency and history
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, is a country in Polynesia, Oceania. Its capital is Nuku'alofa. The currency is the Tongan paʻanga. Languages spoken include English and Tongan.
Quick facts about Tonga
- Official name
- Kingdom of Tonga
- Capital
- Nuku'alofa
- Region
- Oceania, Polynesia
- Currency
- Tongan paʻanga (TOP, T$)
- Languages
- English, Tongan
- Calling code
- +676
- Internet domain
- .to
- Area
- 747 km² (288 sq mi)
- Land borders
- None (island or surrounded by water)
- Demonym
- Tongan
- National day
- Emancipation Day, June 4
Flag of Tonga
Download the flag of Tonga as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇹🇴.
History of Tonga
Polynesian voyagers of the Lapita culture settled the Tongan islands around 1000 BC. From about the tenth century AD the Tu'i Tonga chiefs built a maritime influence across parts of the Pacific. In the nineteenth century, after a period of civil conflict, Taufa'ahau united the islands and took the name King George Tupou I in 1845. A constitution followed in 1875. Tonga signed a treaty of friendship and protection with Britain in 1900 but was never formally colonised, and it regained full independence in 1970. It is a constitutional monarchy and a member of the Commonwealth.
Key dates
- c. 1000 BCLapita-culture settlers reach the Tongan islands.
- c. 950The Tu'i Tonga line of paramount chiefs is traditionally dated to about this period.
- 1845Taufa'ahau is proclaimed King George Tupou I, unifying the islands.
- 1875Tonga adopts a written constitution.
- 1900A treaty of friendship and protection is signed with Britain.
- 1970Tonga regains full independence and joins the Commonwealth.
A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.
Currency of Tonga
Tonga uses the Tongan paʻanga (TOP, T$). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Tonga?
The capital of Tonga is Nuku'alofa.
What currency does Tonga use?
Tonga uses the Tongan paʻanga (TOP, symbol T$).
What languages are spoken in Tonga?
Languages used in Tonga include English and Tongan.
What is the calling code of Tonga?
The international calling code of Tonga is +676. Its internet domain is .to.
Which countries border Tonga?
Tonga has no land borders and is surrounded by water.
On which continent is Tonga?
Tonga is in Oceania, in the region of Polynesia.
What is the national day of Tonga?
Tonga marks Emancipation Day on June 4.
More countries in Polynesia
Country data from the open mledoze/countries dataset (ODbL), with corrections. Flags from flag-icons (MIT).