The Kingdom of Tonga (for Friendly Islands), a member of the British Commonwealth, is an archipelago situated in the southern Pacific Ocean south of Western Samoa and east of Fiji comprising of 150 islands. Tonga has an area of 270 sq. mi. (748 sq. km.) and a population of 110,000. Capital: Nuku?alofa. Primarily agriculture, the kingdom exports bananas and copra. ,Dutch navigators Wilem Schouten and Jacob Lemaire were first Europeans to visit Tonga in 1616. They were followed by the noted Dutch explorer Abel Tasman who visited the Tongapu group in 1643. No further European contact was made until 1773 when British navigator Capt. James Cook arrived and, impressed by the peaceful deportment of the natives, named the islands the Friendly Islands. Within a few years of Cook?s visit, Tonga was embroiled in civil was that lasted until the great chief Taufa?ahau, who reigned as George Tupou I (1845-96), was converted to Christianity and brought unity and peace to the islands. Tonga became self-governing protectorate of Great Britain in 1900 and fully independent state on June 4, 1970. The monarchy is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The monarch is Chief of State and Head of Government.,, Rulers:,,, ,Queen Salote III, 1918-1965,, ,King Taufa?ahau IV, 1967-,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Shilling = 12 Pence,, ,1 Pound = 20 Shillings to 1967,, ,1 Pa?anga = 100 Seniti, 1967-,,