Tonga has a NNE/SSW orientation between latitudes 16oS and 23oS and longitudes 173o40 W and 175o20 W. The 176 islands ranging from high volcanic to low coral terrain create scenic variety seldom matched elsewhere in the world. The islands are divided into four groups and bordered on the east by the deep Tongan Trench.

Nuku'alofa, the capital, is located on the main island of Tongatapu. It is more developed than its neighbors but still maintains an unhurried and peaceful lifestyle.

It receives less rain than other tropical areas, and maximum temperatures average 80oF with only moderate humidity. The rainy season lasts from December to April when temperatures and humidity are higher (most extreme from January to March). The greatest number of thunderstorms occur in December and February. Annual rainfall at Nuku'alofa averages 58 inches, with as much as ten inches falling in April and as little as one inch in May and July. Vava'u is the wettest group. In contrast, during the Tongan winter (June to August), temperatures can occasionally be quite cool. The period from November to April brings on the cyclone season. Tonga averages two tropical hurricanes every year (sometimes as late as May). Severity of thunderstorms, probability of cyclones, rainfall, and temperatures increase farther north in the kingdom. May to November are characterized by southeast trade winds, while easterlies prevail the remainder of the year. Severe weather is usually preceded by west and northwest winds. During summer (especially from February to March), north winds bring heat waves and heavy rains. Wind speeds average 12-15 knots (slightly less in Tongatapu).

GNP is approximately T$35 million but up from prior years. (Incomes average US$4,000 per year.) All land is property of the monarchy, nobles administer and allot it to the common people. No foreigner can own land, although with approval from the cabinet, anyone can lease property for up to 50 years. Many foreigners have taken advantage of this opportunity, and small foreign-owned businesses such as guesthouses, restaurants, and small resorts are prevalent throughout the kingdom.

Most government and light industries are concentrated in Nuku'alofa. More than 25% of the country's population lives in the capital, with hundreds commuting from outlying areas. Half the population is involved in the cash economy, the rest live from subsistence agriculture, fishing, and collecting. Most Tongans grow their own food, build their own homes, and make their own woven handcrafts and various household products (such as tapa, handbags, baskets, place mats, and brooms). So much in Tonga is made by hand that the aggregate value of all these goods exceeds the total of all goods sold for cash. Food staples are yams, taro, manioc, and sweet potatoes. In many villages, humans are outnumbered by domestic pigs, which range freely across the islands.

The biggest cash crop is pumpkin squash. Introduced to the islands in 1987, it has become Tonga's biggest export (shipped primarily to Japan). Tongan pumpkins supply about half of Japan's requirements. During the harvest season in October and November, commercial vessels flow steadily in and out of Queen Salote Wharf.

Tonga is peopled with large families and a burgeoning young population. Though it is one of the most densely populated countries in the Pacific, population figures remain stable due largely to emigration. Thousands of Tongans have left (many permanently) to provide support to their families, 24,000 reside in New Zealand, 10,500 in the U.S., and 4,500 in Australia. Money remitted by Tongans living abroad is the country's primary source of income. With so many Tongans expatriated, flights into and out of the country during the holidays are normally sold out many months in advance.

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