Long-form name: Kingdom of Tonga

Type: hereditary constitutional monarchy

Capital: Nukualofa

Administrative divisions: three island groups; Haapai, Tongatapu, Vavau

Independence: 4 June 1970 (from UK; formerly Friendly Islands)

Constitution: 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967

Legal system: based on English law

National holiday: Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970)

Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet), Privy Council

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Leaders: Chief of State--King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965); Head of Government--Prime Minister Prince Fatafehi TU'IPELEHAKE (since 16 December 1965)

Political parties and leaders: none

Suffrage: all literate, tax-paying males and all literate females over 21

Elections: Legislative Assembly--last held 14-15 February 1990 (next to be held NA February 1993); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(29 total, 9 elected) 6 proreform, 3 traditionalist

Communists: none known

Member of: ACP, ADB, Commonwealth, FAO, ESCAP, GATT (de facto), IFAD, ITU, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO

Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Siosaia a'Ulupekotofa TUITA resides in London; US--the US has no offices in Tonga; the Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga and makes periodic visits

Flag: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner

NOTE: The information regarding Tonga on this page is re-published from the 1990 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Tonga Government 1990 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Tonga Government 1990 should be addressed to the CIA.