Introduction
Tonga is an island nation located within the South Pacific Ocean and is considered part of Polynesia, the larger region encompassing thousands of islands scattered across the central and southern Pacific. North Korea, on the other hand, is a country located in Northeast Asia which, since the end of World War II, has been under the rule of the Kim royal family. While Tonga and North Korea have few similarities at first glance, many people often wonder how far away from each other these two places are. In this article, we will provide an overview of the distance between Tonga and North Korea by exploring various perspectives and data in regards to this topic.
Distance Between Tonga and North Korea
The direct distance between Tonga and North Korea is 8,335 miles or 13,430 kilometers. This, however, only takes into account a ‘straight line’ flight path, known as a great circle distance, and does not include any changes in route due to the curvature of the earth, which typically results in a longer total distance. When taking this into account, the total distance between Tonga and North Korea is approximately 10,487 miles or 16,877 kilometers. This means that it would take over 23 hours to fly from one destination to the other on a direct route, without making any necessary stops for refueling or break times.
Journey by Sea
Traveling from Tonga to North Korea by sea is also an option, but this would be an incredibly long and tedious journey. The fastest route to travel by sea from Tonga to North Korea would be to sail from Vava’u, Tonga to Vladivostok, Russia, with a total estimated journey time of 35 days. Once in Vladivostok, it would be possible to take a train to Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea and the nearest major city. This journey would take approximately 24 hours. In other words, it would require a total journey time of around 40 days by a combination of sea and rail if one were to travel to North Korea from Tonga this way.
Considerations for Sea Journey
When considering a sea journey from Tonga to North Korea, it is important to take into account a number of factors. The most important factor is the availability of a boat or vessel suitable for making such a long journey across open waters. This would include having a boat large enough to make the journey, as well as enough fuel and provisions to sustain the crew and other travelers over the weeks that the journey could take. Additionally, sea voyages typically require multiple stops for break times and restocking supplies, meaning one should plan the journey accordingly.
Expert Perspectives
Experts agree that making the journey from Tonga to North Korea by sea can be a tricky undertaking, and should only be done with proper preparation and planning. “Anyone looking to make an international sea voyage must consider every aspect of their journey, from the time it takes to the number of countries it passes through as well as necessary docks, visas and more”, explains Tim Bowles, a professor at the University of Sydney. “It’s no easy feat and even experienced sailors can find sea voyages difficult, so it’s best to be aware of the risks and plan accordingly.”
Analysis of Impracticality
Although a sea journey from Tonga to North Korea is an option, it is certainly an impractical one – both in terms of the time it would take and the resources necessary. Additionally, traveling by sea is a difficult endeavor and often requires precise navigation and skill. For these reasons, it is highly unlikely that many people would attempt this journey, and it is more likely that they opt for a flight instead.
Advantages of Flying
Flying is the most practical way to travel from Tonga to North Korea, and is by far the most popular option. With the advancements in aviation and the emergence of budget airlines, traveling by plane has been made much cheaper and easier in recent times. Additionally, it is estimated that a direct flight between the two countries would take just over 23 hours. This is significantly shorter than the estimated 40 days it would take to make the journey by sea.
Flights Between Tonga and North Korea
Despite the distance between Tonga and North Korea, there are currently no flights between the two countries due to the lack of diplomatic ties between them. This means that travelers wishing to make the journey from Tonga to North Korea would have to make the journey via another country with a connection to the North Korean capital.
Visa Necessities for North Korea
Visitors to North Korea must obtain a visa, or ‘tourist card’, prior to entering the country. This can only be done upon invitation from a North Korean government agency or foreign entity, meaning that tourists must first contact an organization such as a tour group in order to apply for a visa. One should also note that travelers’ passports can take up to 30 days to be returned by the North Korean government.
Options for Getting to North Korea
Although there are currently no direct flights between Tonga and North Korea, the closest major international airport to Tonga is FuaŹ»amotu International Airport in Tongatapu. From there, travelers may be able to make a connection to a number of nearby countries, such as New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and China, before making the journey to North Korea.
Flight Time from Tonga to China
The flight time from Tonga to China is approximately 5.5 hours, depending on the airline and route taken. From there, travelers can take a train from Beijing to Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, which takes around 24 hours. This means that the total journey from Tonga to North Korea can take up to around 30.5 hours if one were to fly there via China.
Cost of Flights
The cost of a flight from Tonga to North Korea can depend on a number of factors, including the airline, route, and season. Generally, flights to Pyongyang can vary from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, depending on the above variables. Additionally, travelers should be aware that North Korea is not generally a tourist destination, meaning flights can be hard to come by and flights there are often expensive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that traveling from Tonga to North Korea is an incredibly long journey, no matter which method of transport is chosen. Even a direct flight from Tonga to North Korea would take over 23 hours, and a journey by sea could take up to 40 days. However, with the right preparation and planning, it is certainly possible to make this journey. Though relatively expensive and requiring a visa, flights are the most practical way to travel between the two countries, taking around 30.5 hours in total.
