Q 01/05

Tonga is officially known as what kind of state, the only one of its kind left in the Pacific islands?

A) A sultanate

B) A commonwealth

C) A kingdom

D) A republic

Answer · why

C) A kingdom

Its royal line has an unbroken hereditary succession, and Tonga was never colonised, only 'protected' by Britain from 1900 to 1970.

Q 02/05

What is the capital of Tonga?

A) Nuku'alofa

B) Suva (Fiji)

C) Apia (Samoa)

D) Neiafu

Answer · why

A) Nuku'alofa

It sits on the main island of Tongatapu, home to 70% of the population, and was swamped by the tsunami of January 2022.

Q 03/05

Tonga lies in which region of the Pacific?

A) Australasia

B) Melanesia

C) Polynesia

D) Micronesia

Answer · why

C) Polynesia

It is directly south of Samoa, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand, and 98% of its people are Polynesian Tongans.

Q 04/05

How many islands make up Tonga, of which 45 are inhabited?

A) 171

B) 371

C) 271

D) 471

Answer · why

A) 171

They span an 800 km north-south line in three main groups: Vava'u, Ha'apai and Tongatapu, plus the far northern Niuas.

Q 05/05

Tonga became known as the 'Friendly Islands' after warmly welcoming which explorer in 1773?

A) William Bligh

B) Abel Tasman

C) James Cook

D) Willem Schouten

Answer · why

C) James Cook

He arrived during the 'inasi first-fruits festival. According to William Mariner, the chiefs wanted to kill him but could not agree on a plan.