The first European explorers to visit the islands of Tonga were Dutch navigator Willem Schouten and his crew, who arrived in 1616. However, they did not actually land on any of the islands, and their encounter with Tongans was limited to a hostile exchange of cannon fire from a distance.
The first recorded landing by Europeans in Tonga was by the British explorer James Cook in 1773. He named the islands the “Friendly Islands” due to the warm welcome he received from the local people. Cook’s visits to Tonga led to increased European interest in the region, and eventually, the establishment of European missionary and trading posts.
Schouten and his crew were impressed by the beauty of the islands and the hospitality of the Tongan people. They spent several weeks in Tonga, trading with the locals and learning about their customs and way of life.
The arrival of Schouten and his crew marked the beginning of European exploration in the Pacific and had a significant impact on Tongan history. In the years that followed, other European explorers and traders arrived on the islands, and Tonga became an important center of commerce and trade in the region.
Today, Tonga is a thriving island nation with a rich history and culture. The arrival of the first European explorers is an important part of that history, and it is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the Tongan people in the face of change and new influences.