NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Tonga Islands

See Tonga (disambiguation) for alternative meanings. Tonga may refer to the following: The Pacific Island nation of Tonga. ...

The Kingdom of Tonga is an archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean, about a third of the way between New Zealand and Hawaii. It lies south of Samoa and east of Fiji. An archipelago is a landform which consists of a chain or cluster of islands. ... State nickname: The Aloha State Other U.S. States Capital Honolulu Largest city Honolulu Governor Linda Lingle (R) Official languages Hawaiian and English Area 28,337 kmÂ² (43rd) - Land 16,649 kmÂ² - Water 11,672 kmÂ² (41. ...

Large flag of Tonga Image originally derived from the public domain flags of the CIA World Factbook. ... This image depicts a seal, an emblem, a coat of arms or a crest. ... Flag ratio: 1:2 The flag of Tonga was adopted on November 4, 1975. ... This page lists state and national mottos for the worlds independent states and their subdivisions. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... An official language is something that is given a unique status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... In politics a capital (also called capital city or political capital â€” although the latter phrase has an alternative meaning based on an alternative meaning of capital) is the principal city or town associated with its government. ... Nukualofa, population 21,300 (1986), is the capital of Tonga. ... A monarch is a type of ruler or head of state, whos titles and ascention are inherited, not earned, and represents a larger monarchical system which has established rules and customs regarding succession, duties, and powers. ... King Taufaahau Tupou IV His Majesty King Taufaahau Tupou IV (born July 4, 1918) has been the king of Tonga since the death of his mother Salote Tupou III in 1965. ... A prime minister may be either: the chief or leading member of the cabinet of the top-level government in a country having a parliamentary system of government; or the official, in countries with a semi-presidential system of government, appointed to manage the civil service and execute the directives... Lavaka Ata Ulukalala - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... This article explains the meaning of area as a physical quantity. ... Here is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Population density can be used as a measurement of any tangible item. ... This is a list of sovereign states and other territories by population. ... A year is the time between two recurrences of an event related to the orbit of the Earth around the Sun. ... You may be looking for: list of countries by GDP (nominal) - list based on current currency market exchange rates list of countries by GDP (PPP) - list based on purchasing power parity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The paanga (or Tongan dollar) is the currency of the Kingdom of Tonga. ... Time zones are areas of the Earth that have adopted the same standard time, usually referred to as the local time. ... Coordinated Universal Time or UTC, also sometimes referred to as Zulu time, is an atomic realization of Universal Time or Greenwich Mean Time, the astronomical basis for civil time. ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (156th in leap years), with 210 days remaining. ... 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is formally recognized by a countrys government as their states official national song. ... Koe Fasi Oe Tui Oe Otu Tonga is the national anthem of Tonga. ... A top-level domain (TLD) is the last part of an Internet domain name. ... .to is the Internet country code top-level domain ( ccTLD) of the island kingdom of Tonga. ... List of country calling codes - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

History

Main article: History of Tonga Humans first colonized Tonga around 1200 years before the common era, as part of the great Austronesian expansion that spread people from southeastern Asia across the Pacific to the east and across the Indian Ocean to Madagascar and eastern Africa in the west. ...

Archaeological evidence shows that the first settlers in Tonga sailed from the Santa Cruz Islands, as part of the original Austronesian-speakers' (Lapita) migration which originated out of S.E. Asia some 6000 years before present. Archaeological dating places Tonga as the oldest known site in Polynesia for the distinctive Lapita ceramic ware, at 2800-2750 years before present. The "Lapita" people lived and sailed, traded, warred, and intermarried in the islands now known as Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji for 1000 years, before more explorers set off to the east to discover the Marquesas, Tahiti, and eventually the rest of the Pacific Ocean islands. For this reason, Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji are described by anthropologists as the cradle of Polynesian culture and civilization. The Santa Cruz Islands are a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, part of the nation of the Solomon Islands. ... The Austronesian languages are a family of languages widely dispersed throughout the islands of Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with a few members spoken on continental Asia. ... Polynesia is generally defined as the islands within the triangle Polynesia (from Greek, poly = many and nesos = island) is a large grouping of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. ... Lapita is the common name of an ancient Pacific Ocean culture which is believed by some to be the common ancestor of several cultures in Polynesia and surrounding areas. ... The Marquesas Islands is a group of islands in French Polynesia. ... Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean, at 17Â°40â€² S 149Â°30â€² W. The island had a population of 169,674 inhabitants at the 2002 census. ...

By the 12th century, Tongans, and the Tongan paramount chief, the Tu'i Tonga, were known across the Pacific, from Niue to Tikopia, sparking some historians to refer to a 'Tongan Empire'. A network of interacting navigators, chiefs, and adventurers might be a better term. In the 15th century and again in the 17th, civil war erupted. It was in this context that the first Europeans arrived, beginning with Dutch explorers Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire in 1616 (when they shot a Tongan off a swift sailing vessel near Niuatoputapu), but most significantly including Captain Cook in 1773, 1774, and 1777, the first London missionaries in 1797, and the Wesleyan Methodist Walter Lawrey in 1822. (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... Tikopia is the southernmost of the Santa Cruz Islands, located in the province of Temotu. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... Willem Cornelis Schouten (1567?-1625) was a Dutch navigator. ... Jacob Le Maire (about 1585 to 1616), the Dutch mariner, born in Antwerp, circumnavigated the earth in 1615 to 1616. ... British explorer James Cook is most noted for having discovered Australia and Hawaii. ... 1773 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1774 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... A missionary is a propagator of religion, often an evangelist or other representative of a religious community who works among those outside of that community. ... 1797 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Methodist movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity. ... 1822 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

Tonga was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845 by the ambitious young warrior, strategist, and orator Taufa'ahau. He held the chiefly title of Tu'i Kanokupolu, but was baptised with the name King George. In 1875, with the help of missionary Shirley Baker, he declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy, at which time he emancipated the 'serfs', enshrined a code of law, land tenure, and freedom of the press, and limited the power of the chiefs. Tonga became a British protected state under a Treaty of Friendship on 18 May 1900, when European settlers and rival Tongan chiefs tried to oust the second king. The Treaty of Friendship and protected state status ended in 1970 under arrangements established prior to her death by the third monarch, Queen Salote. Tonga joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970, and the United Nations in 1999. While exposed to colonial forces, Tonga has never lost indigenous governance, a fact that makes Tonga unique in the Pacific and gives Tongans much pride, as well as confidence in the monarchal system. The British High Commission in Tonga is scheduled to close in 2005. [1] Polynesia (from Greek, poly = many and nesi = island) is a large grouping of over 1,000 islands in the central and southern Pacific Ocean. ... 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1875 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (139th in leap years). ... 1900 is a common year starting on Monday. ... 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Salote Tupou III (1900-1965) was Queen of Tonga from 1918 to 1965. ... Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of independent sovereign states, most of which are former colonies once governed by the United Kingdom as part of the British Empire. ... The United Nations, or UN, is an international organization established in 1945 and now made up of 191 states. ... The word indigenous is derived from the latin word indigena, meaning nativ, indigenous, aboriginal, and has several, related meanings: The native people of a place; see the article indigenous people. ... The British High Commission is an organization found in many former British colonies that are now members of the Commonwealth. ...

Politics

Main article: Politics of Tonga Government Tonga is the South Pacifics last Polynesian monarchy. ...

Tonga is a monarchy. The reverence for the kingship is likened to that held in prior centuries for the sacred paramount chief, the Tu'i Tonga. Criticism of the monarch is held to be antithetical to Tongan culture and etiquette. A direct descendant of the first monarch, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, his family, some powerful nobles, and a growing non-royal caste of elites live in much wealth, with the rest of the country living in relative poverty. The effects of this disparity are mitigated by three factors: education, medicine, and land tenure. A monarchy, (from the Greek monos, one, and archein, to rule) is a form of government that has a monarch as Head of State. ... King Taufaahau Tupou IV His Majesty King Taufaahau Tupou IV (born July 4, 1918) has been the king of Tonga since the death of his mother Salote Tupou III in 1965. ...

Tonga's education system is free and mandatory for all children up to age twelve, with very nominal fees for secondary education, and foreign-funded scholarships for post-secondary education. Tongans are well-educated, with a 98% literacy rate, and higher education up to and including medical and graduate degrees. Tongans also have universal access to a socialized medicine system. Tongan land is constitutionally protected and cannot be sold to foreigners (although it may be leased). While there is a land shortage on the urbanized main island of Tongatapu (where 60% of the population resides), there is farm land available in the rural islands. The majority of the population engages in some form of subsistence production of food, with approximately half producing almost all of their basic food needs through farming, sea harvesting, and animal husbandry. Women and men have equal access to education and health care, and are fairly equal in employment, but women are discriminated against in land holding, electoral politics, and government ministries. Literacy is the ability to read and write. ... Royal Palace on Tongatapu Tongatupu is the main island of Tonga where the capital Nukualofa is located. ...

Domestic abuse and rape is a problem, and is usually dealt with at the local, familial level. Sex workers exist, but this is minor compared to other locales, and is firmly discouraged (female virginity at marriage is highly expected). Third-gendered "fakaleiti" and openly homosexual men are somewhat accepted, and celebrated in the Miss Galaxy Pageant, which claims the Honourable Lupepau'u'u, granddaughter of the king and Honorary Consul to China, as their patron. Violent crime is limited, but increasing, and public perception associates this with returns of ethnic Tongans who have been raised overseas. A few notable cases involve young men raised since infancy in the USA, whose family neglected to obtain citizenship for them and who were deported on involvement with the American justice system. A fakaleiti is a Tongan man who dresses and lives as a woman. ... The Miss Galaxy Pageant is an annual event held in Nukualofa, Tongatapu in the Kingdom of Tonga that selects the best Fakaleiti. ...

There is a pro-democracy movement in Tonga, which emphasises reforms including better representation in the Parliament for the majority commoners, and better accountability in matters of state. An overthrow of the monarchy itself is not part of the movement and the institution of monarchy continues to hold popular support, even while reforms are advocated. Until recently, the governance issue was generally ignored by the leaders of other countries, but major aid donors and neighbours New Zealand and Australia are now expressing concerns about some Tongan government actions.

Following the precedents of Queen Salote, and with numerous international advisors, the government of Tonga under King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV has monetized the economy, internationalized the medical and education system, and enabled access by commoners to increasing forms of material wealth (houses, cars, and other commodoties), education, and overseas travel. The government has supported Olympic and other international sports competition, and contributed Peacekeepers to the United Nations (notably to Bougainville). The Tongan government also supported the American 'coalition of the willing' action in Iraq, and a small number of Tongan soldiers were deployed, as part of an American force, to Iraq in late 2004. However, the contingent of 40+ troops returned home on December 17, 2004. [2] This article is about the island; Bougainville is also the name of a commune in the Somme dÃ©partement of France. ...

King Taufa'ahau and his government have made some problematic economic decisions, and are accused of millions of dollars in incompetent spending. The problems have mostly been related to trying to increase national revenues through odd-ball schemes. This has included searching for oil (despite geological reports indicating no possible oil), considering making Tonga a nuclear waste disposal site (an idea floated in the mid-90s by the current crown prince), selling Tongan Protected Persons Passports (which eventually forced Tonga to nationalize the purchasers, sparking ethnicity based concerns within Tonga), registering foreign ships (which proved to be engaged in illegal activities), claiming geo-orbital satellite slots (the revenue from which seems to belong to the Princess Royale, not the state), holding a long-term charter on an unusable Boeing 757 (that was sidelined in Auckland Airport), building an airport hotel and potential casino with an Interpol-accused criminal, and approving a factory for exporting cigarettes to China (against the advice of Tongan medical officials, and decades of health promotion messaging). The King has proved vulnerable to speculators with big promises, and lost several million (reportedly $US26) on a financial advisor who called himself the King's Court Jester. The police have imprisoned pro-democracy leaders, and the government repeatedly confiscated the newspaper The Tongan Times (which was printed in New Zealand and sold in Tonga) because the editor had been vocally critical of the King's mistakes. Notably, the Kele'a, produced specifically to critique the government and printed in Tonga by pro-democracy leader 'Akilisi Pohiva, was not banned during that time. Pohiva however, had been subjected to harassment in the form of frequent lawsuits. The Boeing 757 is a medium-range transcontinental commercial passenger airplane manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. ... Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest urban area in New Zealand. ... A cigarette will burn to ash on one end. ... A jester or fool is a specific type of clown mostly associated with the Middle Ages. ...

In mid-2003, the government passed a radical constitutional amendment to "Tonganize" the press, by licensing and limiting freedom of the press, so as to protect the image of the monarchy. The amendment was defended by government and royalists on the basis of traditional cultural values. Licensure criteria include 80% ownership by Tongans living in the country. As of February 2004, those papers denied licenses under the new act included the Taimi 'o Tonga (Tongan Times), the Kele'a and the Matangi Tonga, while those which were permitted licenses were uniformly church based or pro-government. The bill was opposed, in the form of a several-thousand-strong protest march in the capital, a call by the Tu'i Pelehake (a prince, nephew of the King and elected member of parliament) for Australia and other nations to pressure the Tongan government to democratize the electoral system, and a legal writ calling for a judicial investigation of the bill. The latter was supported by some 160 signatories, including seven of the nine elected "People's Representatives". The strong-arm tactics and gaffes have overshadowed the good the now aged king has done in his lifetime, as well as the many beneficial reforms of his popular son and Prime Minister, 'Ulukalala Lavaka 'Ata. The Crown Prince, Tupouto'a, and Pilolevu, the Princess Royale, remained generally silent on the issue. In total, the changes threatened to destabilize the polity, fraction support for the status quo, and place further pressure on the monarchy. 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Kings and Queens of Tonga

King George Tupou I of Tonga George Tupou I (1797-1893 (known until 1875) as Siaosi Taufaahau Tupou Maeakafaua), was the king of Tonga from November 18, 1845 until February 18, 1893. ... George Tupou II (1874-1918) was the king of Tonga from February 18, 1893 to April 5, 1918. ... Salote Tupou III (1900-1965) was Queen of Tonga from 1918 to 1965. ... King Taufaahau Tupou IV His Majesty King Taufaahau Tupou IV (born July 4, 1918) has been the king of Tonga since the death of his mother Salote Tupou III in 1965. ...

Geography

Main article: Geography of Tonga Tonga is located in Oceania, an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, directly south of Western Samoa and about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. ...

Tonga is an archipelago directly south of Western Samoa. Its 169 islands, 96 of them inhabited, are divided into three main groups – Vava'u, Ha'apai, and Tongatapu – and cover an 800-kilometer (500 mi.)-long north–south line. The largest island, Tongatapu, on which the capital city of Nuku'alofa is located, covers 257 square kilometers (99 sq. mi.). Geologically the Tongan islands are of two types: most have a limestone base formed from uplifted coral formations; others consist of limestone overlaying a volcanic base.

The climate is basically subtropical with a distinct warm period (December–April), during which the temperatures rise above 32ºC (90ºF), and a cooler period (May–November), with temperatures rarely rising above 27ºC (80ºF). The temperature increases from 23ºC to 27ºC (74ºF to 80ºF), and the annual rainfall is from 170 to 297 centimeters (67–117 in.) as one moves from Tongatapu in the south to the more northerly islands closer to the Equator. The mean daily humidity is 80%.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Tonga Tongas economy is characterized by a large nonmonetary sector and a heavy dependence on remittances from the half of the countrys population that lives abroad, chiefly in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. ...

Tonga's economy is characterized by a large nonmonetary sector and a heavy dependence on remittances from the half of the country's population that lives abroad, chiefly in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Much of the monetary sector of the economy is dominated, if not owned, by the royal family and nobles. This is particularly true of the telecommunications and satellite services. Much of small business, particularly retailing on Tongatapu, is now dominated by recent Chinese immigrants who arrived under a cash-for-passports scheme ended in 1998.

The manufacturing sector consists of handicrafts and a few other very smallscale industries, all of which contribute only about 3% of GDP. Commercial business activities also are inconspicuous and, to a large extent, are dominated by the same large trading companies found throughout the South Pacific. In September 1974, the country's first commercial trading bank, the Bank of Tonga, opened.

Rural Tongans rely on plantation and subsistence agriculture. Coconuts, vanilla beans, and bananas are the major cash crops. The processing of coconuts into copra and desiccated coconut is the only significant industry. Pigs and poultry are the major types of livestock. Horses are kept for draft purposes, primarily by farmers working their api. More cattle are being raised, and beef imports are declining.

Tonga's development plans emphasize a growing private sector, upgrading agricultural productivity, revitalizing the squash and vanilla bean industries, developing tourism, and improving the island's communications and transportation systems. Substantial progress has been made, but much work remains to be done. A small but growing construction sector is developing in response to the inflow of aid monies and remittances from Tongans abroad. The copra industry is plagued by world prices that have been depressed for years.

Efforts are being made to discover ways to diversify. One hope is seen in fisheries; tests have shown that sufficient skipjack tuna pass through Tongan waters to support a fishing industry. Another potential development activity is exploitation of forests, which cover 35% of the kingdom's land area but are decreasing as land is cleared. Coconut trees past their prime bearing years also provide a potential source of lumber.

The tourist industry is relatively undeveloped; however, the government recognizes that tourism can play a major role in economic development, and efforts are being made to increase this source of revenue. Cruise ships often stop in Nuku'alofa and Vava'u.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Tonga Almost two-thirds of the population of the Kingdom of Tonga live on its main island, Tongatapu. ...

Almost two-thirds of the population of the Kingdom of Tonga live on its main island, Tongatapu. Although an increasing number of Tongans have moved into the only urban and commercial center, Nuku'alofa, where European and indigenous cultural and living patterns have blended, village life and kinship ties continue to be important throughout the country. Everyday life is heavily influenced by Polynesian traditions and especially by the Christian faith; for example, all commerce and entertainment activities cease from midnight Saturday until midnight Sunday, and the constitution declares the Sabbath to be sacred, forever.

Tongans, a Polynesian group with a very small mixture of Melanesian, represent more than 98% of the inhabitants. The rest are European, mixed European, and other Pacific Islanders. There also are several hundred Chinese.

Primary education between ages 6 and 14 is compulsory and free in state schools. Mission schools provide about 83% of the primary and 90% of the secondary level education. Higher education includes teacher training, nursing and medical training, a small private university, a women's business college, and a number of private agricultural schools. Most higher education is pursued overseas.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Tonga Tongan culture stretches over a period of 6000 years ago to modern day. ...

We know relatively little about the music of Tonga as it existed before Tonga was discovered by European explorers. ... In Hawaii, at least 30 varieties of kava were used for medicinal, religious, political, cultural and social purposes by all social classes, men and women. ...

Miscellaneous topics

On either his 1773 or 1777 visit, Captain Cook presented a tortoise to the king. This tortoise, known thereafter as Tui Malila, lived to be either 188 or 192 years old. It is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest animal (kingdom Animalia) on record. 1773 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... British explorer James Cook is most noted for having discovered Australia and Hawaii. ... Genera Chersina Dipsochelys Furculachelys Geochelone Gopherus Homopus Indotestudo Kinixys Malacochersus Manouria Psammobates Pyxis Testudo Tortoise is the name given to the land-dwelling reptiles most of whose body is shielded by a special shell. ... Genera Chersina Dipsochelys Furculachelys Geochelone Gopherus Homopus Indotestudo Kinixys Malacochersus Manouria Psammobates Pyxis Testudo Tortoise is the name given to the land-dwelling reptiles most of whose body is shielded by a special shell. ... Tui Malila was the name of a tortoise given to the royal family of Tonga by captain James Cook. ... Phyla Porifera (sponges) Ctenophora (comb jellies) Cnidaria Placozoa Subregnum Bilateria Acoelomorpha Orthonectida Rhombozoa Myxozoa Superphylum Deuterostomia Chordata (vertebrates, etc. ...

Telephones - main lines in use: 7,000 (1995) Telephones - mobile cellular: 114 (1995) Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1 (2005), FM 5 (2005), shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 61,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 (2005) Televisions: 2,000 (1997... Tonga, by a further modification of its treaty of friendship with the United Kingdom in July 1970, is responsible for its own external affairs. ... The Tonga Defence Services (TDS) is a 400-person force. ... Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 680 km paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (1996 est. ...

External links

Categories: Monarchies | Oceanic countries | Polynesia | Tonga This is an alphabetical list of the sovereign states of the world, including both de jure and de facto independent states. ... This is a list of dependent territories and other dependencies. ... Map of Oceania. ... Baker Island is an uninhabited atoll located just north of the equator in the central Pacific Ocean at 0°13′ N 176°31′ W, about 3,100 km (1,675 nautical miles) southwest of Honolulu. ... Official Language English Capital Avarua Head of State Queen Elizabeth II Queens Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin KBE Prime Minister Jim Marurai Area 240 kmÂ² Population (July 2005 Estimate) 21,388 Independence â€“ Date None; became self-governing in free association with New Zealand August 4, 1965. ... The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste or East Timor is a nation in Southeast Asia, consisting of the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecussi-Ambeno, an exclave of East Timor situated on the western side of the island, surrounded by... National motto: Tahiti Nui Marearea Official language French Political status Dependent territory Capital Papeete Largest City Papeete President Oscar Temaru Area - Total - % water 4,167 kmÂ² 12% Population - Total (2002) - Density 245,405 64/kmÂ² Currency CFP franc Time zone UTC -10 Internet TLD . ... Howland Island Howland Island is an uninhabited atoll located just north of the equator in the central Pacific Ocean at 0°48′ N 176°38′ W, about 3,100 km (1,675 nautical miles) southwest of Honolulu. ... Map of Jarvis Island Jarvis Island is an uninhabited 4. ... Johnston Atoll - NASA NLT Landsat 7 (Visible Color) Satellite Image Johnston Atoll is a 2. ... Kingman Reef is a one-square-kilometer tropical coral reef located in the North Pacific Ocean, roughly half way between Hawaiian Islands and American Samoa at 6°24′ N 162°24′ W. It is the northernmost of the Northern Line Islands and an unincorporated territory of the United States administered... The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, located north of Nauru and Kiribati, east of the Federated States of Micronesia and south of the U.S. island of Wake. ... The Federated States of Micronesia are a constitutional government in free association with the United States, located in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Papua New Guinea. ... Midway Atoll (also known as Midway Island or Midway Islands, Hawaiian: Pihemanu) is a 6. ... Map of New Caledonia New Caledonia (French: Nouvelle-CalÃ©donie; popular names: Kanaky, Le caillou) is a French territory of 18,575 kmÂ² (7,172 sq. ... ... National Motto: Inasmuch Official language English Capital Kingston Â¹ Largest city Burnt Pine Â² Chief of state Queen Elizabeth II Chief minister Geoffrey Robert Gardner Area - Total - % water Ranked 6th (Australia) 34. ... The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is a commonwealth in political union with the United States of America at a strategic location in the West Pacific Ocean. ... Map of Palmyra Atoll Map of Palmyra Atoll Palmyra Atoll - NASA NLT Landsat 7 (Visible Color) Satellite Image Palmyra Atoll is an uninhabited, 12 km2 atoll in the Northern Pacific Ocean at 5°52′ N 162°6′ W. Palmyra is one of the Northern Line Islands (southeast of Kingman Reef... The Independent State of Papua New Guinea, often referred to by just the initials, PNG, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea (the other half is the Papua province of Indonesia). ... The Solomon Islands is a nation in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea and is part of the Commonwealth of Nations. ... The Collectivity of Wallis and Futuna (French: CollectivitÃ© de Wallis et Futuna) is a group of mainly three volcanic tropical islands (Wallis, Futuna, and Alofi) with fringing reefs located in the South Pacific Ocean between Fiji and Samoa. ... Wake Island - NASA NLT Landsat 7 (Visible Color) Satellite Image Wake Islands Main Lagoon-Matthew Piatkowski Wake Island (also known as Wake Atoll) is a coral atoll (having a coastline of 19. ...

Contents

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