The Kingdom of Tonga (or Friendly Islands), a member of the British Commonwealth, is an archipelago situated in the South Pacific consists of some 150 islands, of which 36 are inhabited. Most of the islands contain active volcanic craters; others are coral atolls. ENJOY!!!

Languages: English, Tongan
Religions: Christian
Status: UN Member 1999
Pa'anga: meaning "Bean shaped pieces"

The note selected today is a 1989 issue of 1 Pa'amga. The book value of this note is $6.00. Current Exchange rate is: Thursday, March 19, 2009
1 Tonga Pa'anga = 0.49000 US Dollar

(Front) King Taufa'ahau at r. Arms at l. (Back) Island view at ctr.
Palm trees.

Smoke rises from an underwater volcano near Hunga Ha'apai, Tonga, on Thursday.

AP Associated Press updated 4:38 a.m. CT, Thurs., March. 19, 2009
NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga - Scientists sailed Thursday to inspect an undersea volcano that has been erupting for days near Tonga — shooting smoke, steam and ash thousands of feet into the sky above the South Pacific ocean.

Authorities said Thursday the eruption does not pose any danger to islanders at this stage, and there have been no reports of fish or other animals being affected.

Spectacular columns are spewing out of the sea about 6 miles from the southwest coast off the main island of Tongatapu — an area where up to 36 undersea volcanoes are clustered, geologists said.