People
The population of Tonga (1998 estimate) is 108,207, giving the country
an overall population density of 144 persons per sq km (374 per
sq mi). Most of Tonga's people are Polynesians; only 2 percent consists
of members of other ethnic groups.
Language
English and Tongan, a Polynesian language, are the official languages.
Tongan is preferred for everyday communications. English, which
is taught as a second language in schools, is used mainly for business.
Religion
Tonga's population has been almost entirely Christian for more than
100 years. The vast majority are Protestants, belonging to one of
four branches of Methodism. The Free Wesleyan Church, the largest,
is headed by Tonga's monarch. Mormonism, Catholicism, and other
Christian denominations are minority religions.
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