Tonga

01.04.2025

Tonga

Why in the news?   

            The strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake recently hit near Tonga, prompting a tsunami warning for the Pacific island country.

About Tonga:

• Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, also called Friendly Islands, is an archipelago composed of 169 islands, of which only 36 islands are inhabited, and is located in the South Pacific Ocean.
• It lies south of Samoa, east of Fiji, and just north of the Tropic of Capricorn.
• Tonga’s western islands are volcanic (four with active volcanoes) and sit well above sea level. Those to the east are coral and are more low-lying.
• The three largest islands are Tongatapu, Ha'apai, and Vava'u, with Tongatapu being the most populated.
• The capital, Nuku‘alofa, is on the island of Tongatapu.
• Due to its location within the Pacific Ring of Fire, Tonga experiences relatively frequent volcanic activity.
• A former British protectorate, Tonga became fully independent in 1970, although it was never formally colonised.
• Political System: It is a constitutional monarchy.
• Tonga is a member of the Commonwealth and of the United Nations.
• Language: Tongan, English
• Currency: Tongan Paʻanga (TOP)
• Economy: Tonga has no strategic or mineral resources, and relies on agriculture, fishing and the money sent home by Tongans living abroad.

                               Source: India Today

Consider the following statements regarding Tonga:

Statement-I: It is an archipelago located in the South Indian Ocean.

Statement-II: It is a constitutional monarchy and is a member of the Commonwealth.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer D