Tonga Antipode: The Other Side of the Earth
Dig a straight tunnel down through Nukuʻalofa and you would surface in Algeria, the point on the planet exactly opposite Tonga.
Nukuʻalofa: 21.1S 175.2W
Antipode: 21.1N 4.8E (Algeria)
What is the antipode of Tonga?
An antipode is the point on the far side of the Earth, exactly opposite a given location. Measured from Nukuʻalofa, the antipode of Tonga sits at 21.1N 4.8E in Algeria. That makes Tonga and Algeria antipodal neighbours, a genuinely rare pairing: roughly 85 percent of all land has its antipode in the ocean.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tonga's Antipode
What is the antipode of Tonga?
The antipode of Tonga, measured from Nukuʻalofa, is at 21.1N 4.8E, which lies in Algeria.
If you dug straight through the Earth from Tonga, where would you come out?
You would surface in Algeria, on the exact opposite side of the planet from Nukuʻalofa.
Why is Tonga's antipode on land?
Most land antipodes fall in water, so a land-on-land pairing like Tonga and Algeria is uncommon and worth noting.