Tonga is a country of 52 inhabited islands and another 120 uninhabited islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is about 2,000km north of New Zealand. More than 100,000 people live in Tonga and another 60,000 Tongans live in New Zealand. It is a democratic country with its own king. New Zealand and Australia give financial aid to Tonga.
Tonga is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire. As a result, it has a number of volcanoes. One underwater volcano has been erupting since December 20th. It has been impossible for scientists to get close because it erupts about every 5 minutes and sends up large rocks, hot lava and clouds of ash. It has killed trees on neighbouring islands. It has created a new island, about 1km wide by 2km long and 100m high although this island may disappear into the sea before long.
Flights between Tonga and New Zealand or Australia were cancelled last week. However, the volcano is starting to become quieter now and flights have started again.
Vocabulary
• inhabited – people live there; (uninhabited – nobody lives there)
• aid – help