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Compare Tonga (2001) - Antarctica (2003)

Compare Tonga (2001) z Antarctica (2003)

 Tonga (2001)Antarctica (2003)
 TongaAntarctica
Administrative divisions 3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u -
Age structure 0-14 years:
40.93% (male 21,739; female 20,916)

15-64 years:
54.99% (male 28,231; female 29,082)

65 years and over:
4.08% (male 1,912; female 2,347) (2001 est.)
-
Agriculture - products squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish -
Airports 6 (2000 est.) 30


note: 30 stations, operated by 16 national governments party to the Antarctic Treaty, have aircraft landing facilities for either helicopters and/or fixed-wing aircraft; commercial enterprises operate two additional aircraft landing facilities; helicopter pads are available at 27 stations; runways at 15 locations are gravel, sea-ice, blue-ice, or compacted snow suitable for landing wheeled, fixed-wing aircraft; of these, 1 is greater than 3 km in length, 6 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 3 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 3 are less than 1 km in length, and 2 are of unknown length; snow surface skiways, limited to use by ski-equipped, fixed-wing aircraft, are available at another 15 locations; of these, 4 are greater than 3 km in length, 3 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 2 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 2 are less than 1 km in length, and 4 are of unknown length; aircraft landing facilities generally subject to severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme seasonal and geographic conditions; aircraft landing facilities do not meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respective governmental or nongovernmental operating organization required for landing; landed aircraft are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total:
1

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1 (2000 est.)
-
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
5

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
2

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
total: 19


over 3,047 m: 6


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 5 (2002)
Area total:
748 sq km

land:
718 sq km

water:
30 sq km
total: 14 million sq km


land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km ice-covered) (est.)


note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe
Area - comparative four times the size of Washington, DC slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Background The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific. Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up year-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but no other country recognizes these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961.
Birth rate 23.59 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Budget revenues:
$49 million

expenditures:
$120 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (FY96/97 est.)
-
Capital Nuku'alofa -
Climate tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing
Coastline 419 km 17,968 km
Constitution 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967 -
Country name conventional long form:
Kingdom of Tonga

conventional short form:
Tonga

former:
Friendly Islands
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Antarctica
Currency pa'anga (TOP) -
Death rate 5.74 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Debt - external $62 million (1998) -
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga -
Diplomatic representation in the US Tonga does not have an embassy in the US; Ambassador Fetu'utolo TUPOU, resides in London; address: Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga, c/o Tonga High Commission, 36 Molyneux Street, London W1H 6AB, telephone [44] (171) 724-5828, FAX [44] (171) 723-9074

consulate(s) general:
San Francisco
-
Disputes - international none Antarctic Treaty freezes claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary in Government type entry); sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK; the US and most other states do not recognize the territorial claims of other states and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia reserve the right to do so); no claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west; several states with land claims in Antarctica have expressed their intention to submit data to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf to extend their continental shelf claims to adjoining undersea ridges
Economic aid - recipient $38.8 million (1995) -
Economy - overview Tonga has a small, open economy with a narrow export base in agricultural goods, which contributes 30% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The industrial sector accounts for only 10% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings. The country remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonable basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for the limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2000-01 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 112,934 metric tons. Unregulated fishing, particularly of tooth fish, is a serious problem. Allegedly illegal fishing in antarctic waters in 1998 resulted in the seizure (by France and Australia) of at least eight fishing ships. The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources determines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A total of 12,248 tourists visited in the 2000-01 antarctic summer, down from the 14,762 who visited the previous year. Nearly all of them were passengers on 21 commercial (nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that made trips during the summer. Most tourist trips lasted approximately two weeks.
Electricity - consumption 32.6 million kWh (1999) -
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) -
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) -
Electricity - production 35 million kWh (1999) -
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point:
unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m
lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m


highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m


note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater
Environment - current issues 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 in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light coming through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming
Environment - international agreements party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
-
Ethnic groups Polynesian, Europeans about 300 -
Exchange rates pa'anga per US dollar - 1.9885 (January 2001), 1.7585 (2000), 1.5991 (1999), 1.4920 (1998), 1.2635 (1997), 1.2323 (1996) -
Executive branch chief of state:
King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965)

head of government:
Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA (since NA February 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister Tevita TOPOU (since NA January 2001)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the monarch

note:
there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch and the Cabinet

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch
-
Exports $8 million (f.o.b., 1998) -
Exports - commodities squash, fish, vanilla beans -
Exports - partners Japan 53%, US 18%, NZ 6%, Australia 6% (1997 est.) -
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June -
Flag description red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner -
GDP purchasing power parity - $225 million (2000 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
30%

industry:
10%

services:
60% (1997)
-
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2000 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 5% (2000 est.) -
Geographic coordinates 20 00 S, 175 00 W 90 00 S, 0 00 E
Geography - note archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited) the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable
Heliports - 27 stations have helicopter landing facilities (helipads) (2002)
Highways total:
680 km

paved:
184 km

unpaved:
496 km (1996)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
-
Imports $69 million (f.o.b., 1998) -
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals -
Imports - partners NZ 30%, Australia 19%, US 11%, UK 11%, Japan 3% (1997 est.) -
Independence 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate) -
Industrial production growth rate 8.6% (FY98/99) -
Industries tourism, fishing -
Infant mortality rate 14.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) -
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 7% (2000 est.) -
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) -
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) NA
Irrigated land NA sq km 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (consists of the Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court) -
Labor force 34,000 (FY96/97) -
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 65% (1997 est.) -
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km


note: see entry on International disputes
Land use arable land:
24%

permanent crops:
43%

permanent pastures:
6%

forests and woodland:
11%

other:
16% (1993 est.)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (1998 est.)
Languages Tongan, English -
Legal system based on English law Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations. Decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (within their areas) in accordance with their own national laws. US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extra-territorially. Some US laws directly apply to Antarctica. For example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica. Violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison. The National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities. Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty. For more information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit their website at www.nsf.gov.
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms)

elections:
last held NA March 1999 (next to be held NA 2002)

election results:
percent of vote - pro-democratic 40%; seats - pro-democratic 5, traditionalist 4
-
Life expectancy at birth total population:
68.25 years

male:
65.83 years

female:
70.78 years (2001 est.)
-
Literacy definition:
can read and write Tongan and/or English

total population:
98.5%

male:
98.4%

female:
98.7% (1996 est.)
-
Location Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Map references Oceania Antarctic Region
Maritime claims continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
none; 20 of 27 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes - international entry
Merchant marine total:
8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,626 GRT/29,468 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 1, cargo 2, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)
-
Military - note - the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes
Military branches Tonga Defense Services (includes Royal Tongan Marines, Tongan Royal Guards, Maritime Force, Police); note - a new Air Wing which will be subordinate to the Defense Ministry is being developed -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% -
National holiday Independence Day, 4 June (1970) -
Nationality noun:
Tongan(s)

adjective:
Tongan
-
Natural hazards cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf
Natural resources fish, fertile soil iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Political parties and leaders Human Rights and Democracy Movement [Huliki WATAB, chairman, Viliami FUKOFUKA, president, 'Akilisi POHIVA, vice president] -
Political pressure groups and leaders Pro-Democracy and Human Rights Movement [leader NA] -
Population 104,227 (July 2001 est.) no indigenous inhabitants, but there are seasonally staffed research stations


note: approximately 27 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, send personnel to perform seasonal (summer) and year-round research on the continent and in its surrounding oceans; the population of persons doing and supporting science on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty) varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research are present in the waters of the treaty region; summer (January) population - 3,687 total; Argentina 302, Australia 201, Belgium 13, Brazil 80, Bulgaria 16, Chile 352, China 70, Finland 11, France 100, Germany 51, India 60, Italy 106, Japan 136, South Korea 14, Netherlands 10, NZ 60, Norway 40, Peru 28, Poland 70, Russia 254, South Africa 80, Spain 43, Sweden 20, UK 192, US 1,378 (1998-99); winter (July) population - 964 total; Argentina 165, Australia 75, Brazil 12, Chile 129, China 33, France 33, Germany 9, India 25, Japan 40, South Korea 14, NZ 10, Poland 20, Russia 102, South Africa 10, UK 39, US 248 (1998-99); year-round stations - 42 total; Argentina 6, Australia 4, Brazil 1, Chile 4, China 2, Finland 1, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 6, South Africa 1, Spain 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1 (1998-99); summer-only stations - 32 total; Argentina 3, Australia 4, Bulgaria 1, Chile 7, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 3, NZ 1, Peru 1, Russia 3, Sweden 2, UK 5 (1998-99); in addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% -
Population growth rate 1.79% (2001 est.) -
Ports and harbors Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2001) AM NA, FM 2, shortwave 1


note: information for US bases only (2002)
Radios 61,000 (1997) -
Railways 0 km -
Religions Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents) -
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.81 male(s)/female

total population:
0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
-
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal -
Telephone system general assessment:
NA

domestic:
NA

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: local systems at some research stations


domestic: NA


international: via satellite from some research stations
Telephones - main lines in use 8,000 (1996) 0


note: information for US bases only (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular 302 (1996) NA; Iridium system in use
Television broadcast stations 1 (2001) 1 (cable system with six channels; American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo)


note: information for US bases only (2002)
Terrain most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent
Total fertility rate 3 children born/woman (2001 est.) -
Unemployment rate 13.3% (FY96/97) -
Waterways none -
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