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Tongatapu is the main island of the Kingdom of Tonga and the location of its capital Nukualofa. It is located in Tonga's southern island group, to which it gives its name, and is the country's most populous island, with approximately 71,260 residents (2006), 70.5% of the national population. Tongatapu is Tonga's centre of government and the seat of its monarchy. Tongatapu, as a commercial and transport hub, has (led by Nukualofa) experienced more rapid economic development than, as well as attracting many internal migrants from, the other islands of the Kingdom. ==Geography== The island is (or 260.48 km² with neighboring islands) and rather flat, as it is built of coral limestone. The island is covered with thick fertile soil fertilized with volcanic ash from neighboring volcanoes. At the steep coast of the south, heights reach an average of 35m gradually decreasing towards the north. Tongatapu is highest in elevation around the villages of Fua'amotu and Nakolo with a height of 65m. North of the island are many small isolated islands and coral reefs which extend up to 7 km from Tongatapu's shores. The almost completely closed Fanga'uta and Fangakakau Lagoons are an important breeding ground for birds and fish as they live within the mangroves growing around the lagoon's shores. The lagoons were declared a Natural Reserve in 1974 by the government. The island has only but a few sandy beaches because of its raised coastlines apart from the many small islands in the north boasting some of the best beaches in Tongatapu. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Tongatapu」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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