!!!Tonga %%image_right [{GoogleMap location='Tonga' type='embedded' zoom='bounds' width='450' height='350'}] %% [{Image src='tn-lgflag.gif' class='image_left' height='150' width='226'}] [{Image src='tonga.jpg' class='image_left' }] Tonga - unique among Pacific nations - never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900; it withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga remains the only monarchy in the Pacific. %%menu-geo %%cols-r * %%icon-geo,geo %% [Geography|Geography/Australia/Tonga/Geography] * %%icon-geo,maps %% [Maps|Geography/Australia/Tonga/Maps] * %%icon-geo,culture %% [Culture|Geography/Australia/Tonga/Culture] ---- * %%icon-geo,special %% [Special Information|Geography/Australia/Tonga/Special_Information] * %%icon-geo,picture %% [Pictures|Geography/Australia/Tonga/Pictures] * %%icon-geo,community %% [Community Contributions|Geography/Australia/Tonga/Community_Contributions] %% %%