TONGATAPU GROUP

also spelled Tongataboo Group, southernmost island cluster of Tonga, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, about 2,000 miles (3,000 km) northeast of Sydney. The group has a total area of 135 square miles (350 square km). Its administrative headquarters is at Nuku'alofa (q.v.), the national capital, on the northern coast of Tongatapu Island. Tongatapu Island, the largest island (100 square miles [260 square km]) of Tonga, dominates the group. Its name means sacred Tonga: the English word taboo is derived from tabu, the Tongan word for sacred. The coral island is level and triangular; its highest point is only 270 feet (80 m) above sea level. It receives 60 to 70 inches (1,500 to 1,800 mm) of rain annually. Because of its coral formation, there are no surface streams, and all freshwater must be collected in rain catchments or taken from wells. Copra and bananas produced on the island are exported from the deepwater wharves of Nuku'alofa. The island has schools, a hospital, and, at Fua'amotu, the kingdom's only international airport. 'Eua and 'Ata islands, both volcanic, were sighted in 1643 by the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman, who called them Middleburg and Pylstaert, respectively. 'Eua (34 square miles [88 square km]) is hilly, and its inhabitants depend economically upon its forests. The smaller and nearly uninhabited 'Ata, rising to an extinct volcanic peak of 1,165 feet (355 m), has guano deposits. Both islands produce some copra. Minor islands of the group include 'Atata, 'Euaiki, Kalau, and Kanatea. Pop. (1986 prelim.) 63,614.