Tonga is the only remaining sovereign Polynesian monarchy. With its capital at Nuku'alofa, Tonga is located in Oceania in an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. There are three island groups within the kingdom: Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u. As a constitutional hereditary monarchy, the nation is governed by the King of Tonga who appoints the ruling Cabinet and its Prime Minister. Laws are created in the unicameral Fale Alea, or Parliament. There are 30 seats in the Fale Alea: 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, 9 for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and 9 elected by popular vote. Members serve three-year terms.
All heads of state and government -- the Monarch, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister -- serve life terms.
