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Tongatapu (A)Tonga - South Pacific
Tongatapu is the main island of Tonga where the capital Nuku´alofa is located. It is the most populous island comprising approximately 66 577 residents, 68.3% of population (in 1996). Tongatapu is also the home island of the king, (he has palaces in all the capitals of the major islands groups, but the late king's official residence (now of the queen-mother only) is the Royal Palace, Tonga). There are also numerous Tongan historical sites on the island. The capital, Nuku?alofa, has seen a more rapid economic development than the other islands and is thus a commercial hub, attracting many immigrants from outer islands. Before the reform of the Tongan language spelling in 1943, the name was written was Tongatabu. The Tongan p is pronounced somewhat softly towards the b, an effect that up to the 19th century was probably more pronounced than nowadays. In the beginning on the 20th century many words originally written with a 'b' were already spelled with a 'p'. But such a well established name as Tongatapu was the last to follow. The IATA abbreviation of Fua?amotu airport is still TBU. The name Amsterdam (island), given by Abel Tasman when he came as first European along on 21 January 1643 is no longer used, except by historians. Sites on Tongatapu Nuku´alofa - Capital of Tonga Mu´a - Second largest city in Tongatapu Langi - Royal Burial Tombs of past Tongan Kings Mapu ´a Vaea - Blowholes in the coral reef on the southern side Hüfangalupe - Natural landbridge on the south eastern side of Tongatapu Pangaimotu - Small resort island close to Nuku´alofa Landing Site of Captain Cook Flying Fox Preserve - Located in Kolovai in the western district Ha´amonga ´a Maui - Trilithon Nukuleka - possibly the site of first human settlement in Tonga
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