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- Government
-
- Long-form name: Kingdom of Tonga
-
- Type: hereditary constitutional monarchy
-
- Capital: Nuku`alofa
-
- Administrative divisions: three island groups; Ha`apai,
- Tongatapu, Vava`u
-
- 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 (Fale Alea)
-
- Judicial branch: Supreme Court
-
- Leaders:
-
- Chief of State: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December
- 1965)
-
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22
- August 1991); Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22
- August 1991)
-
- Political parties and leaders: Democratic Reform Movement,
- 'Akilisi POHIVA
-
- 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
-
- Member of: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,
- IFAD, IFC, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, SPC, SPF, UNCTAD,
- UNESCO, UNIDO, 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
-
-