The evolution of land tenure in the Kingdom of Tonga

Abstract

Abstract Economic resources in Tonga are scarce, and its population is growing at an unprecedented rate. Productive resources are being threatened with irreversible depletion due to population pressures and laissez-faire land use control. As the first stage in the development of an automated Land Information System (LIS) to aid in the administration of land tenure and management of the environment and natural resources in Tonga, the authors provide a description of the history and geography of the country, with particular reference to its people, their relationship with the land and the evolution of their land tenure system.