| Tonga |
 anga fakatonga... Anga fakatonga - the traditional Tongan way. Anga fakapãlangi - the new modern western way. The Tonganese live between these two worlds like many other Pacific Islanders. The last of the Polynesian island kingdoms, Tonga now finds itself in the globalising grip of anga fakapãlangi, the new way. In 2008 George Tupou V relinquished power and surrendered his role in governmental affairs to the Prime Minister. Royal assets were sold off to assuage public indignation. In a country of some 200,000 people a privilege elite has little future. In the 1980s Tonga switched from high alcohol imported Australian and New Zealand beer, to low alcohol locally brewed Swedish (!) Pripps beer.  Location: Oceania Status: UN Country Capital City: Nuku’alofa Population: 98,000 Area: 750 km2 Currency: 1 pa’anga = 100 seniti Languages: English, Tongan Religions: Protestant, Roman Catholic |
