Geography of Tonga – The Ultimate Free Guide 2021
Learn facts and Geography of Tonga including Major Geographical Features, Natural resources, Region, area, Capital, Border countries, rivers in Tonga.
- Tonga is located in Oceania, It is a small archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, directly south of Samoa and about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. It has 169 islands, 36 of them inhabited, are divided into three main groups – Vava’u, Ha’apai, and Tongatapu.
- The largest island, Tongatapu, on which the capital city of Nukuʻalofa is located, covers 257 square kilometres (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.
Geography of Tonga

Region:
Oceania
Continent:
Pacific Ocean
Area:
Ranked 174th
Capital:
Nuku’alofa
Population:
1.04 lakhs
Bordering Countries:
- Fiji to the west,
- Cook Islands to the East and
- Samoa north.
Total Size:
747 Km2
Geographical Coordinates:
21.1790° S, 175.1982° W
General Terrain:
The largest island, Tongatapu, on which the capital city of Nukuʻalofa is located, covers 257 square kilometres (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.
Geographical Low Point:
Pacific Ocean 0 metres (0 ft)
Geographical High Point:
on Kao 1,033 metres (3,389 ft)
Climate:
- Tonga‘s climate is warm, tropical and welcoming. Temperatures are warm all year round and can get hot in the summer, but seldom reach above 35°C (95°F).
- The winter temperatures (April to September) are only slightly cooler than summer temperatures (November to February).
Major cities:
- Nuku’alofa,
- Neiafu,
- Mu;a,
- Kolovai,
- Pangai
Major Rivers and Lakes:
There are no rivers in Tonga, but ʿEua and Niuatoputapu have creeks
Famous Places:
- Vava’u
- Nuku’alofa
- Ha’atafu Beach
- Mapu’a ‘a Vaea Blowholes
- Pangaimotu island
Natural Resources:
- Tonga’s natural resources include
- Fish,
- Fertile soil, and
- Agricultural crops such as bananas,
- Coffee,
- Vanilla beans,
- Coconuts,
- Squash,
- Black pepper,
- Ginger, and
- Copra.
Major Geographical Features:
Biomes & Ecosystems:
Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests.
Topography:
The islands run roughly north–south in two parallel chains; the western islands are volcanic and the eastern are coralline encircled by reefs. At 10,800 m (35,400 ft) deep, the Tonga Trench is one of the lowest parts of the ocean floor.
Oceans:
South Pacific Ocean
Islands:
- Tongatapu
- Eua
- Niuatoputapu
- Niuafo’ou
- Tofua
- Hunga Tonga
- Tafahi
- Lifuka
- Late (Tonga)
- Kao (island)
- Fonualei
- Nuku
- Uiha
- ‘Ata
- Uoleva
- Nomuka
Facts about Tonga:
- Tonga is the only monarchy in Oceania.
- In 1616, Dutch explorers became the first Europeans to visit Tonga
- Between 1773 and 1777, famed British explorer Captain James Cook visited Tonga three times.
- Cook referred to Tonga as the ‘Friendly Islands’ because the indigenous people gave him and his crew a warm welcome.
- Furthermore, respectful dress is very important in Tonga. It is illegal for men and women to be topless in a public place.
See Also: