Most believers are Methodist Protestants. Religious minorities include Catholics, Mormons, Anglicans, and Seventh-day Adventists.
Transport in Tonga
You can get to the Kingdom of Tonga from Russia by plane with transfers in New Zealand, Australia or Fiji.
You can travel from one island group to another by planes of local airlines or by ferries. However, it is worth noting that flights are often canceled and rescheduled, so before leaving for the airport, you need to contact the airline to clarify the departure time. Between the settlements of the island of Tongatapu there is a network of bus routes. Taxi services are available in major cities across the country.
Car rental can only be found in Nuku’alofa and Neiafu. In order to rent a car, you must be over 18 years old and have a passport and an international driver’s license.
Plant and Animal World in Tonga
The windward slopes of the mountains of the volcanic islands are covered with dense tropical forests. Shrubs grow on the leeward slopes, which receive less rainfall. Orchids also grow on the islands.
The main inhabitants of the archipelago are flying foxes, rats and mice brought from other continents, as well as lizards, snakes and insects. 15 species of permanently inhabiting birds have been registered in the country. About 3 thousand species of marine animals and 35 species of corals live in the coastal waters of Tonga.
Minerals in Tonga
Sand and limestone are mined on the islands.
Banks in Tonga
Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00, in large cities they also work on Saturdays from 08:30 to 11:30.
Money in Tonga
The official currency of the state is the pa’anga or the Tonga dollar. 1 paang is equal to 100 seniti. In circulation there are banknotes of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 paang and coins of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 seniti. The pa’anga is officially equal to the Australian dollar, which, along with the pa’anga, is widely circulated.
Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices and hotels, but in the latter the rate is most often not profitable.
On the larger islands, credit cards are accepted for payment; on the smaller islands, non-cash payment for services is not common everywhere. Traveler’s checks can be cashed at banks, major hotels and convenience stores. It is best to purchase traveler’s checks in Australian dollars or pounds sterling.
According to politicsezine, the Kingdom of Tonga is a constitutional monarchy. This is the only kingdom in Oceania. Power here is inherited. The head of state is the king. The executive power belongs to the king and the cabinet headed by the prime minister, the legislative power belongs to the unicameral Legislative Assembly.
Population in Tonga
The vast majority of the country’s population (85%) are Tongans, and mestizos, Europeans and immigrants from China also live on the islands.
Language:
The official languages of the kingdom are Tongan, belonging to the Polynesian group of languages, and English.
Cuisine in Tonga
The basis of local dishes are pork, yams, cassava and taro. National dishes include “ufi” (white yam), “lu-pulu” (meat marinated in coconut milk with onions, baked with taro in the traditional “umu” pit), “lu” dishes (any products placed in the leaves taro and stewed with coconut milk in “umu”), “cassava” (fried or baked tapioca with coconut milk, sugar and bananas), a pig baked whole in an earthen hearth, “feke” (fried octopus or squid in coconut sauce), ” ota” (fish marinated in coconut juice) and all kinds of seafood dishes. Tropical fruits and fruit salads are usually served for dessert.
The most common drinks are coconut juice and strong “royal coffee”. Alcoholic drinks are represented by local and imported beers. The countries of Polynesia are known for their soft drink kava, which is made from the root of yangona (kava). It has an intoxicating effect, although it does not contain alcohol.
