Tonga: Geography#
Location | Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand |
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Geographic Coordinates | 20 00 S, 175 00 W -20.0,-175.0 |
Area | total: 747 sq km land: 717 sq km water: 30 sq km [Verified in 8 databases] |
Land boundaries | 0 km |
Coastline | 419 km |
Elevation Extremes | lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed elevation on Kao Island 1,033 m |
Highest Mountains | |
Terrain | most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base |
Natural Hazards | cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou volcanism: moderate volcanic activity; Fonualei (elev. 180 m) has shown frequent activity in recent years, while Niuafo'ou (elev. 260 m), which last erupted in 1985, has forced evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Late and Tofua |
Natural Resource | fish, fertile soil |
Land Use | arable land: 21.33% permanent crops: 14.67% other: 64% (2011) |
Climate | tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) |
Irrigated Land | NA |
Renewable Water Resources | NA |
Environment_CurrentIssues | deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations |
Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Large Cities | Due to difference in city rankings taken from two data sources we are listing here both lists : According to Wolfram: Nukualofa; Mua; Neiafu; Haveloloto; Tofoa-Koloua According to Geonames: Nuku; Neiafu; Haveluloto; Vaini; Pangai Attempted Explanation: Please help us to try to explain the discrepancies by sending us helpful information to office nospam@TUGraz.at @global-geography.org |
Geography-note | archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited) |