"overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations Environment - international agreements: <br>""party to:"" Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change Kyoto-Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution <br>""signed, but not ratified:"" none of the selected agreements Geography - note: archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited) Geography of Tonga Located in Oceania, Tonga is an 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"
"Haʻapai Haʻapai is a group of islands, islets, reefs and shoals with an area of in the central part of the Kingdom of Tonga, with the Tongatapu group to the south and the Vavaʻu group to the north. Seventeen of the Haʻapai islands are populated with altogether 6,616 people. Its highest point is Kao at almost . Pangai is the administrative capital village of the Haʻapai Group and is located on Lifuka. Haʻapai consists of 51 islands directly west of the Tonga Trench, constituting a chain of volcanic islands including Kao, the highest point in the kingdom standing at ."
"Niua Islands Niua is a division of the Kingdom of Tonga, namely the northernmost group of islands. It consists of three islands (Niuafoʻou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi) which together have an area of 71.69 km and a population of 1,282. The largest village is Hihifo on Niuatoputapu. Piu'o Tafahi is the highest point with an elevation of 560 m. The islands are the peaks of undersea volcanoes, towering from the sea, some of which were still active until very recently. The Niua group was discovered in 1616 by Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire Cornelisz during their circumnavigation with the ships"
"Further to the west are the coral islands which are inhabited. The archipelago lies north of Tongatapu and south of Vavaʻu. Seventeen of the islands are inhabited, including the main islands of Lifuka and Foa. The two main villages in the archipelago are Pangai on Lifuka (where Salote Pilolevu Airport is located) and Ha'ano. A total of 7212 people live on the Ha'apai islands (Census 2011). All the larger islands are in the eastern Lifuka group. The two larger islands are Lifuka and Foa which have 2,968 and 1,485 people respectively . After the two larger islands are Nomuka and"
"Moreover, even giant clams and pearls are cultured. Vavaʻu Vavau is the island group of one large island (ʻUtu Vavaʻu) and 40 smaller ones in Tonga. It is part of Vavaʻu District which includes several other individual islands. According to tradition the Maui god fished up both Tongatapu and Vavau but put a little more effort into the former. Vavau rises above sea level at Mount Talau. The capital is Neiafu, which is the fifth largest city in Tonga, situated at the Port of Refuge (Puatalefusi or Lolo-a-Halaevalu). In Polynesia it is explained that the islands were created by the"
"Vavaʻu Vavau is the island group of one large island (ʻUtu Vavaʻu) and 40 smaller ones in Tonga. It is part of Vavaʻu District which includes several other individual islands. According to tradition the Maui god fished up both Tongatapu and Vavau but put a little more effort into the former. Vavau rises above sea level at Mount Talau. The capital is Neiafu, which is the fifth largest city in Tonga, situated at the Port of Refuge (Puatalefusi or Lolo-a-Halaevalu). In Polynesia it is explained that the islands were created by the god Maui, who caught the bottom of the"
"mutiny. In 1806, William Mariner arrived aboard the ""Port-au-Prince"", whose crew was killed at this occasion by Tongan warriors. Mariner lived four years in Tonga, before he was found by a passing English ship returning to England. The US Exploring Expedition met with George (Taufa'ahau), chief of Ha'apai, in 1840. Haʻapai Haʻapai is a group of islands, islets, reefs and shoals with an area of in the central part of the Kingdom of Tonga, with the Tongatapu group to the south and the Vavaʻu group to the north. Seventeen of the Haʻapai islands are populated with altogether 6,616 people. Its"
"1839. The Vavau group measures about 21 km from east to west and 25 km from north to south. Vavau had 14,922 inhabitants at the 2001 census, of which 4,051 lives in the capital Neiafu. The islands in Vavaʻu District outside of Vavaʻu Group are uninhabited. The main island of ’Utu Vava’u is , the second largest island in Tonga. Vavaʻu is a coral reef with superior oblique in the north up to high cliffs. On the south side of the island group, it is dissolved into many small islands and waterways. The largest of these waterways, the fjord-like Ava"
"and Eendracht Horn to Europe. Niua Islands Niua is a division of the Kingdom of Tonga, namely the northernmost group of islands. It consists of three islands (Niuafoʻou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi) which together have an area of 71.69 km and a population of 1,282. The largest village is Hihifo on Niuatoputapu. Piu'o Tafahi is the highest point with an elevation of 560 m. The islands are the peaks of undersea volcanoes, towering from the sea, some of which were still active until very recently. The Niua group was discovered in 1616 by Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire Cornelisz during"
"Geography of Vanuatu Vanuatu (formerly called the New Hebrides) is a nation and group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It is composed of over 80 islands with of coastline and a total surface area of . Vanuatu's geographic coordinates are . It is part of Oceania. Its immediate neighbours include the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, and Australia is the closest continent. Vanuatu is a mountainous archipelago of volcanic origin with narrow coastal plains. The highest of all the mountains is Mount Tabwemasana at . Its tropical climate is moderated by southeast trade winds, and its natural resources"
"Tuamotus The Tuamotus, also referred to in English as the Tuamotu Archipelago or the Tuamotu Islands (', officially '), are a French Polynesian chain of almost 80 islands and atolls forming the largest chain of atolls in the world. This archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean stretches from the northwest to the southeast over an area roughly the size of Western Europe. The total area of land within this chain is , with its major islands being Anaa, Fakarava, Hao and Makemo. The Tuamotus have approximately 16,000 inhabitants. The islands were initially settled by Polynesians, and from them modern Tuamotuans"
"Solomon Islands Solomon Islands is a sovereign state consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania lying to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu and covering a land area of . The country's capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal. The country takes its name from the Solomon Islands archipelago, which is a collection of Melanesian islands that also includes the North Solomon Islands (part of Papua New Guinea), but excludes outlying islands, such as Rennell and Bellona, and the Santa Cruz Islands. The islands have been inhabited for thousands"
"they form the Tovata Confederacy, one of three chiefly hierarchies. Vanua Levu Group The Vanua Levu Group is an archipelago in northern Fiji. It takes its name from its predominant island, Vanua Levu. Among the other island in the group, the most important is Taveuni. Other islands in the group include Laucala, Matagi, Namena Lala, Qamea, Rabi, Vorovoro and Yadua Tabu. They have an aggregate area of , with a total population of 140,016 at the 1996 census, the last held. The Vanua Levu Group is coextensive with Fiji's Northern Division, one of four into which the country is divided"
"Islands proper), which have an enclosing coral reef which is broken by only three passages to the open sea. Besides Mangareva, the other notable high islands of the group are Akamaru, Angakauitai, Aukena, Kamaka, Kouaku, Makapu, Makaroa, Manui, Mekiro and Taravai. These are primarily of volcanic origin. A number of others are actually coral islands, hence of secondary volcanic origin, including Papuri, Puaumu, Totengengie and the Tokorua group. The Mangareva Islands are located at and are approximately 26.6 km² in area. The total population in 2016 was 1319. The primary town is Rikitea, located on Mangareva, as is the highest"
"Niuatoputapu Niuatoputapu is a high island in the island nation of Tonga, Pacific Ocean, its highest point being at 157 m. Its name means ""sacred island"". Older European names for the island are Traitors island or Keppel island. Niuatoputapu is located in the north of the country, away from Vavau near the border with Samoa. Its closest neighbours are the small island of Tafahi, only to the north-northeast, and the island of Niuafo'ou. The three islands together form the administrative division of the Niuas. There is an airport in Niuatoputapu, Mataaho airport, which is designated to accept international flights. The"
"Malampa Province Malampa is one of the six provinces of Vanuatu, located in the center of the country and consisting of three main islands: It includes a number of other islands – the small islands of Uripiv, Norsup, Rano, Wala, Atchin and Vao off the coast of Malakula, and the volcanic island of Lopevi (currently uninhabited). Also included are the Maskelynes Islands and some more small islands along the southcoast of Malakula. The province's name is derived from the initial letters of MALakula, AMbrym, PAama. It has a population of 36,722 (2009 census) people and an area of 2,779 km²."
"Vanuatu Vanuatu ( or ; ), officially the Republic of Vanuatu (, Bislama: ""Ripablik blong Vanuatu""), is a Pacific island country located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, east of New Guinea, southeast of the Solomon Islands, and west of Fiji. Vanuatu was first inhabited by Melanesian people. The first Europeans to visit the islands were a Spanish expedition led by Portuguese navigator Fernandes de Queirós, who arrived on the largest island in 1606. Since the Portuguese and Spanish monarchies had been unified under the"
"Geography of New Zealand New Zealand ("""") is an island country located in the south-western Pacific Ocean, near the centre of the water hemisphere. It is a long and narrow country and comprises around 600 islands. The two main islands by size are the North Island (or ""Te Ika-a-Māui"") and the South Island (or ""Te Waipounamu""), separated by the Cook Strait; the third-largest island, Stewart Island (or ""Rakiura""), is located off the tip of the South Island across Foveaux Strait. Significantly smaller islands include Waiheke Island, Chatham Island, Great Barrier Island and more, although many are uninhabited. New Zealand's landscape"
"constitutes all the 7 islands, are geographically distinct from any landmass, making it biologically unique - and endangered at the same time. The islands are under consideration to be set as a UNESCO tentative site. Northwest to southeast the four main islands are Cabra Island, separated by a deep, wide channel from Lubang Island, then Ambil Island and finally Golo Island. The three smaller islands are Talinas Island, Malavatuan Island and Mandaui Island. The islands were originally settled by an ethnic group from the Visayan. By 1900 the islands were inhabited by both Tagalog and Visayan people. The Spanish built"
"Haʻafeva Haafeva is a small island in the Haʻapai group of Tonga, but still the main island of the Lulunga archipelago. Kolongatata is the name commonly given to the village on Haafeva and is a reference to Haafeva's exposure to strong winds. The inhabited area of Haafeva can be divided into Hahake, Hihifo, Tua Kolo, Loto Kolo and Uta. The Island has a population of about 300 people. Haafeva is located 42 km southwest of Pangai in the Haapai group of islands at Latitude (DMS) 19° 56' 60 S and Longitude (DMS) 174° 43' 0 W. It is the home"
"Vaitupu Vaitupu is the largest atoll of the nation of Tuvalu. It is located at 7.48 degrees south and 178.83 degrees west. There are 1,555 people (2012 census) living on with the main village being Asau. The exact date of Vaitupu's first settlement is unknown. According to oral history, the founder of the Vaitupuan community was a Samoan by the name of Telematua, who arrived in the 16th or 17th century. However, it is possible that Tongans may have first reached the atoll during the mid-13th century. Vaitupu has maintained contacts with Tonga throughout its history, both peaceful (alliances through"
"is the laplap. The most practiced sport in Vanuatu is football. Vanuatu Vanuatu ( or ; ), officially the Republic of Vanuatu (, Bislama: ""Ripablik blong Vanuatu""), is a Pacific island country located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, east of New Guinea, southeast of the Solomon Islands, and west of Fiji. Vanuatu was first inhabited by Melanesian people. The first Europeans to visit the islands were a Spanish expedition led by Portuguese navigator Fernandes de Queirós, who arrived on the largest island in 1606."
"Hafhai with nearby Hofhahoi, Hafhaveiaglolo, Hatana and Hạf’liua. The islands have an aggregate area of 44 km², of which the main island Rotuma occupies 43 km². Only the main island is permanently inhabited. The Rotuma Group comprises a Dependency of Fiji. The population of the dependency at the 1996 census was 2810. Rotuma Group The Rotuma Group is a group of volcanic islands with Rotuma Island being the main island, located at , approximately 465 km north of Fiji. There are some islands located at a distance between 50 m and 2 km from the main island, but still within"
"which includes the Yap Main Islands and the Yap Neighboring Islands—the outer islands (mostly atolls) reaching to the east and south from the Yap Main Islands for some 800 km (500 mi), namely the atolls of Eauripik, Elato, Faraulep, Gaferut, Ifalik, Lamotrek, Ngulu, Olimarao, Piagailoe (West Fayu), Pikelot, Sorol, Ulithi, and Woleai, as well as the islands of Fais and Satawal (see map). Historically, a tributary system existed between the Neighboring Islands and the Yap Main Islands. This probably related to the need for goods from the high islands, including food, as well as wood for construction of seagoing vessels."
"Tongariki Tongariki Island is an inhabited island in Shefa Province of Vanuatu in the Pacific Ocean. The island is a part of Shepherd Islands archipelago. Tongariki is a small island of volcanic origin located in the eastern Shepherd Islands, having no beaches or reefs. Several small islands lie close to the south coast. The island is 3.8 km long and 1.7 km wide. The estimated terrain elevation above the sea level is some 20 metres. The uninhabited island of Falea lies 1.8 km north-west of Tongariki. As of 2015, the official local population was 274 people in 55 households. The"
"Vairaatea Vairaatea is a small atoll of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. Geographically Vairaatea Atoll is part of the East-central subgroup of the Tuamotus, which includes Ahunui, Amanu, Fangatau, Hao and Nukutavake. Nukutavake, the closest land, lies to the east. Vairaatea Atoll measures in length and its width is about . Its reef has a roughly triangular shape. There are two long islands on it. The reef completely encloses a lagoon. Landing on this atoll is difficult on account of the surf and the lack of a safe anchorage. In 1989 Vairaatea was inhabited by eight families living in"
"Tubuai Tubuai or Tupua'i is the main island of the Tubuai Island group, located at , south of Tahiti. In addition to Tubuai, the group of islands include Rimatara, Rurutu, Raivavae and the uninhabited Îles Maria. They are part of the Austral Islands in the far southwest of French Polynesia in the south Pacific Ocean. Tubuai island sustains a population of 2,170 people on 45 km² of land. Due to its southerly position, Tubuai has notably cooler weather than Tahiti. The island is ringed by a lagoon formed by an encircling coral reef. A break in the reef that enables"
"and the Galápagos Islands. Voavah is the first island designated by UNESCO as an exclusive use island. The island is owned by the Four seasons company and is available for hire. The islands coordinate's are 5.31652 73.07797. The island is also known as Hafnas. Baa Atoll Baa Atoll (includes Southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll or Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi, Fasdhūtherē Atoll, and Goifulhafehendhu Atoll) is an administrative division of the Maldives. It consists of three separate natural atolls, namely southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll (which is 42 km long and 32 km wide and consists of 9 inhabited islands), the Fasdūtherē Atoll (wedged in between the"
"Vanua Levu Group The Vanua Levu Group is an archipelago in northern Fiji. It takes its name from its predominant island, Vanua Levu. Among the other island in the group, the most important is Taveuni. Other islands in the group include Laucala, Matagi, Namena Lala, Qamea, Rabi, Vorovoro and Yadua Tabu. They have an aggregate area of , with a total population of 140,016 at the 1996 census, the last held. The Vanua Levu Group is coextensive with Fiji's Northern Division, one of four into which the country is divided for local government purposes. Together with the remote Lau Islands,"
"of Hawaii and elsewhere. Manu'a Manua, or the Manua Islands Group (Samoan: ""Manua tele""), in the Samoan Islands, consists of three main islands: Tau, Ofu and Olosega. The latter two are now connected by a bridge over the shallow 137-meter-wide Asaga strait. The islands are located some east of Tutuila and are a part of American Samoa, an unincorporated territory of the United States; their area is with a population of 1,400. Tau is the biggest island with its , and harbours the highest point of the Manua at . Politically, the islands form the Manu'a District, one of the"
"are also claimed and controlled by France as part of the French collectivity of New Caledonia. The country lies between latitudes 13°S and 21°S and longitudes 166°E and 171°E. The fourteen of Vanuatu's islands that have surface areas of more than are, from largest to smallest: Espiritu Santo, Malakula, Efate, Erromango, Ambrym, Tanna, Pentecost, Epi, Ambae or Aoba, Gaua, Vanua Lava, Maewo, Malo and Aneityum or Anatom. The nation's largest towns are the capital Port Vila, on Efate, and Luganville on Espiritu Santo. The highest point in Vanuatu is Mount Tabwemasana, at , on the island of Espiritu Santo. Vanuatu's"
"Tuvalu Tuvalu ( or ), formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island country located in the Pacific Ocean, situated in Oceania, about midway between Hawaii and Australia. It lies east-northeast of the Santa Cruz Islands (belonging to the Solomons), southeast of Nauru, south of Kiribati, west of Tokelau, northwest of Samoa and Wallis and Futuna and north of Fiji. It comprises three reef islands and six true atolls spread out between the latitude of 5° to 10° south and longitude of 176° to 180°, west of the International Date Line. Tuvalu has a population of 10,640 (2012"
"Fiji Fiji ( ; ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी), officially the Republic of Fiji (; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी गणराज्य), is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island. Its closest neighbours are Vanuatu to the west, New Caledonia to the southwest, New Zealand's Kermadec Islands to the southeast, Tonga to the east, the Samoas and France's Wallis and Futuna to the northeast, and Tuvalu to the north. It has an archipelago of more than 330 islands—of which 110 are permanently inhabited—and more than 500 islets, amounting to a total"