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The Kingdom of Tonga joined the Committee for Coordination of Joint Prospecting for Mineral Resources in South Pacific Offshore Areas [CCOP/SOPAC] in 1972. CCOP/SOPAC became autonomous in 1984 and later changed its name to the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission [SOPAC] in 1989.

The Tonga Islands is located between latitudes 15° S and 23.5° S, and between longitudes 173° W and 177° W, just above the Tropic of Capricorn in the South Pacific Ocean. Tonga encompasses an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 700,000 square kilometres and a total landmass of 649 square kilometres. The Kingdom consists of an archipelago of 171 coralline and volcanic islands, which are relatively low-lying and encircled by fringing reefs. Of these 171 islands, only 36 are inhabited. There are three main island groups in Tonga: the Southern Tongatapu group, the Central Ha’apai group and the Northern Va’vau group.

Tonga is geologically located at the easternmost edge of the Australia-India? Plate and is an oceanic island arc that has formed in response to the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Australian-India? Plate over a period of 45million years (Gatliff, 1990). This is the crest of the Tonga Ridge, an active fore-arc bordering the Tonga Trench at the Pacific Plate boundary; to the west lays the volcanically active Tofua Ridge. The ridge is divided into separate fault blocks. Each block has a surface of less than 200m deep and has an irregular limestone cap, the emergent portions of which form islands (Roy, 1990).

The geology of this Kingdom, indicate it’s potential for hydrocarbons. Investigation has proved its presence. Other mineral potential of the region, include polymetallic sulphides [gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc]. Tonga’s mineral potential on land is yet to be determined.

Tonga generally experiences a pleasant climate, which is slightly cooler and less humid than most tropical areas. The island Kingdom is a recipient of trade winds all year round. Tonga is vulnerable to a number of natural hazards, such as cyclones, storm surge, coastal flooding, drought, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, river flooding and landslides.

Energy sources in Tonga include: biomass, solar, wind and wave power. Three of these sources is currently being utilised while wave energy has been investigated but has not been pursued as an alternative. In recent years, reliance on imported petroleum products has increased dramatically to satisfy their commercial needs while reliance on biomass for households and agricultural processing dropped. Close to 95% of the population of Tonga has access to electricity (Tonga National Assessment Report, 2002).

Estimates indicate that 85% of the Tongan population use groundwater as a freshwater source, while 15% rely on rainwater catchments as their water source . Tonga is faced with an increasing demand for safe potable water in both rural and urban districts. In many areas of Tonga, brackish groundwater is used for domestic purposes while rainwater is reserved for drinking only.

Tongans are Polynesian in origin. Tonga’s population totalled 97,784 at the last national census in 1996. The population was estimated to stand at 101,700 in mid-2003 . The population is concentrated on the four main islands of Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai and Niua.

The Tongan economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which contributes roughly 60% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product [GDP] . Tonga’s main export markets are situated in France, Japan, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. Besides agriculture, other important sectors of the economy include food-processing, wood products, textiles and leather products. Migrant remittances and foreign aid also play a crucial role in the sustenance of the Tongan economy.