Nukuʻalofa is the capital and commercial, transport and social center of Tonga. It is located on the north coast of the island of Tongatapu, in the southernmost island group of Tonga. It comprises about 35% of the kingdom's population, and is the location of the Tonga Royal Palace, the Sia ko Veiongo (Veiongo Hill).
The area for the palace was chosen as the residence of Tuʻi Kanokupolu Mumui in around 1795. Although the Tuʻi Kanokupolu was ruler ...
more
Nukuʻalofa is the capital and commercial, transport and social center of Tonga. It is located on the north coast of the island of Tongatapu, in the southernmost island group of Tonga. It comprises about 35% of the kingdom's population, and is the location of the Tonga Royal Palace, the Sia ko Veiongo (Veiongo Hill).
The area for the palace was chosen as the residence of Tuʻi Kanokupolu Mumui in around 1795. Although the Tuʻi Kanokupolu was ruler of Tongatapu at the time, the royal court was still located in Muʻa with the Tuʻi Tonga, the Tongan line of kings. As such, Muʻa was the official capital at that time. A fortress was built at the site by Tupoumālohi in the beginning of the 19th century.
In 1837, Tāufaʻāhau I invaded the area near Fasi mo e afi with his tautahi (sea warriors) – the warriors from Haʻapai and Vavaʻu. As a reward, his men received parcels of land near the existing settlement, Kolomotuʻa (Old Town), which were collectively named Kolofoʻou (New Town). The old and...
less
