Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom of more than 170 islands, many uninhabited, most lined in white beaches and coral reefs and covered with tropical rainforest.Tonga became known as theFriendly Islandsbecause of the congenial reception accorded to Captain James Cookon his first visit in 1773. He arrived at the time of theʻinasifestival, the yearly donation of theFirst Fruitsto theTuʻi Tonga(the islands' paramount chief) and so received an invitation to the festivities. The islandacquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is one of the few indigenous monarchies in the Pacific.
Tonga
