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I hadn't realised just how small Tonga's land area is. Imagine a square 30km x 30km. It's smaller than that (747 square km). But this table of countries ranked

by nomilk 3y ago

I hadn't realised just how small Tonga's land area is. Imagine a square 30km x 30km. It's smaller than that (747 square km). But this table of countries ranked by population densities shows Tonga is not even close to the most densely populated countries (Tonga is about 65th of about 200 countries): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_dependencies_by_population_density https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_dependen...

refactor_master 3y ago
It’s strange how bikes haven’t caught on. Similar to Malta, which is tiny and heavily urbanized, but has a massive car problem. 30 km is what some people commute on bike daily.
- silisili 3y ago
  Same thought. The other commenter posted the largest island is roughly 100 sq mi. This could easily be serviced with bikes, scooters/mopeds, or cheap sidecar motorbike taxis like they use in other countries.
- devoutsalsa 3y ago
  When I was living in America, I'd drive 300m to the grocery store because I could, so I understand the feeling. I'm also sure it's hot & humid much of the time, which makes walking & biking a sweaty affair.
  - k99x55 3y ago
    So you need a 3 ton machine to avoid sweating? Shades and trees are cheap to install and maintain, not to mention the wind whilst riding which gives you a nice cooling effect. The only reason you do not have shading+trees around roads is because they are removed in name of "traffic flow".
    - devoutsalsa 3y ago
      Have you ever tried to carry an air conditioner? When you include the power source, it’s really heavy. Do you think someone who drives 300m is capable of carrying that kind of weight? I suppose I could carry a car door and just roll down the window.
    - rchaud 3y ago
      That's not why, it's so that business signage is not blocked by foliage, and so that police can scan areas more quickly while on patrol.
      - masklinn 3y ago
        That's an impressive level of carbrain. Roadside trees is completely standard all over the world, and Nukuʻalofa certainly has them: https://www.google.fr/maps/@-21.1406571,-175.2050866,3a,75y,352.09h,115.23t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAF1QipOpEegMv2yzJaVQqCYuCSQcZRGP1pCp9TngKS_i!2e10!7i7680!8i3840?entry=ttu https://www.google.fr/maps/@-21.1406571,-175.2050866,3a,75y,... > it's so that business signage is not blocked by foliage That's patent nonsense (https://www.google.fr/maps/@52.3653572,4.8753188,3a,75y,95.47h,86.33t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sRxT3KH9wUP4NpoRC2BOw2A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu https://www.google.fr/maps/@52.3653572,4.8753188,3a,75y,95.4...) but even if it were not, why would it matter? Making the environment at large better should be the foremost guiding principle, businesses can adapt their signage habits. > and so that police can scan areas more quickly while on patrol. If roadside trees prevent your police from doing their job, you really need better police. Then again, we know the US needs better police.
        rchaud 3y ago
        My comment was more about the interest groups that wield disproportionate decision making power at local levels. But have at it if you must.
    - masklinn 3y ago
      To be fair (and balanced) Tonga does have a hot and humid (tropical rainforest) climate. The "cold" season means "it rarely gets over 27C (80F)", and humidity only dips a bit below 75% during the "dry" season.
  - tonyedgecombe 3y ago
    >When I was living in America, I'd drive 300m to the grocery store because I could, so I understand the feeling. One of the best things about getting rid of my car was it took those opportunities away from me. No matter how lazy I feel I can't take the easy option.
    - devoutsalsa 3y ago
      I walked a lot more in San Francisco, which is a very walkable city in most places. Just keep an eye out for poop.
      - peanuty1 3y ago
        Ah yes, the open defecation capital of North America.
        devoutsalsa 3y ago
        Is a search for "sidewalk poop" mentioning SF in the top #1 search result for you, too? https://www.google.com/search?q=sidewalk+poop https://www.google.com/search?q=sidewalk+poop
- red-iron-pine 3y ago
  Malta is hot, and hilly.
masklinn 3y ago
> I hadn't realised just how small Tonga's land area is. Imagine a square 30km x 30km. It's smaller than that (747 square km). And that’s for the entire archipelago, the biggest island, Tongatapu, is 260 sq km with a density of 274.

by nomilk 3y ago

refactor_master 3y ago

It’s strange how bikes haven’t caught on. Similar to Malta, which is tiny and heavily urbanized, but has a massive car problem. 30 km is what some people commute on bike daily.

silisili 3y ago
Same thought. The other commenter posted the largest island is roughly 100 sq mi. This could easily be serviced with bikes, scooters/mopeds, or cheap sidecar motorbike taxis like they use in other countries.
devoutsalsa 3y ago
When I was living in America, I'd drive 300m to the grocery store because I could, so I understand the feeling. I'm also sure it's hot & humid much of the time, which makes walking & biking a sweaty affair.
- k99x55 3y ago
  So you need a 3 ton machine to avoid sweating? Shades and trees are cheap to install and maintain, not to mention the wind whilst riding which gives you a nice cooling effect. The only reason you do not have shading+trees around roads is because they are removed in name of "traffic flow".
  - devoutsalsa 3y ago
    Have you ever tried to carry an air conditioner? When you include the power source, it’s really heavy. Do you think someone who drives 300m is capable of carrying that kind of weight? I suppose I could carry a car door and just roll down the window.
  - rchaud 3y ago
    That's not why, it's so that business signage is not blocked by foliage, and so that police can scan areas more quickly while on patrol.
    - masklinn 3y ago
      That's an impressive level of carbrain. Roadside trees is completely standard all over the world, and Nukuʻalofa certainly has them: https://www.google.fr/maps/@-21.1406571,-175.2050866,3a,75y,352.09h,115.23t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAF1QipOpEegMv2yzJaVQqCYuCSQcZRGP1pCp9TngKS_i!2e10!7i7680!8i3840?entry=ttu https://www.google.fr/maps/@-21.1406571,-175.2050866,3a,75y,... > it's so that business signage is not blocked by foliage That's patent nonsense (https://www.google.fr/maps/@52.3653572,4.8753188,3a,75y,95.47h,86.33t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sRxT3KH9wUP4NpoRC2BOw2A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu https://www.google.fr/maps/@52.3653572,4.8753188,3a,75y,95.4...) but even if it were not, why would it matter? Making the environment at large better should be the foremost guiding principle, businesses can adapt their signage habits. > and so that police can scan areas more quickly while on patrol. If roadside trees prevent your police from doing their job, you really need better police. Then again, we know the US needs better police.
      - rchaud 3y ago
        My comment was more about the interest groups that wield disproportionate decision making power at local levels. But have at it if you must.
  - masklinn 3y ago
    To be fair (and balanced) Tonga does have a hot and humid (tropical rainforest) climate. The "cold" season means "it rarely gets over 27C (80F)", and humidity only dips a bit below 75% during the "dry" season.
- tonyedgecombe 3y ago
  >When I was living in America, I'd drive 300m to the grocery store because I could, so I understand the feeling. One of the best things about getting rid of my car was it took those opportunities away from me. No matter how lazy I feel I can't take the easy option.
  - devoutsalsa 3y ago
    I walked a lot more in San Francisco, which is a very walkable city in most places. Just keep an eye out for poop.
    - peanuty1 3y ago
      Ah yes, the open defecation capital of North America.
      - devoutsalsa 3y ago
        Is a search for "sidewalk poop" mentioning SF in the top #1 search result for you, too? https://www.google.com/search?q=sidewalk+poop https://www.google.com/search?q=sidewalk+poop
red-iron-pine 3y ago
Malta is hot, and hilly.

masklinn 3y ago

> I hadn't realised just how small Tonga's land area is. Imagine a square 30km x 30km. It's smaller than that (747 square km). And that’s for the entire archipelago, the biggest island, Tongatapu, is 260 sq km with a density of 274.