TONGA

(OR FRIENDLY) ISLANDS, in Pacific (15°-23° 30’ S., 1738°-177° under Brit. protection since 1900; ber about 180, of which only 32 inhabited; divided into Tongatabu, Haabai, and Vavau groups; area sq.m.;of coral and volcanic formation, with active volcanoes, one of which over 2,700 ft.; chief town, Nukualofa; climate healthy but damp. and exports are copra, candle-nuts, béche-de-mer. Natives are Polynesians. Discovered by Tasman, 16438. bounded N. by Kwangsi and E. by Gulf of Tongking, S. by W. by Laos; surface consists of delta Red R., with its great tributaries, Black R. and Clear R., in the plateau in N., and forest region in Delta is very fertile, owing to brought down by rivers; two yearly. Chief towns are Ha-noi and Hai-phong, an important Tongking produces great quantities rice, as well as peanuts, castor sugar-cane, spices, mulberries, tobacco, cotton; manufactures beer, spirits, hardware, matches. erals include coal, iron, copper; coral deposits. Acquired, 1884, France, after struggle for po e ion color with China. Area, 46,400 sd. m.; pop. 6,119,700.