In 1643, after sailing around Australia and New Zealand in search of a faster route to Chile, Abel Tasman became the first European to visit the main island (Tongatapu) and Haʻapai in Tonga. During his voyage, he charted and mapped several islands and gave the island of Tongatapu the name ‘Eijlandt Amsterdam’ (Amsterdam Island) due to its abundant supplies. While this name is no longer in use except by historians, it serves as a testament to the early European exploration of the Pacific region.
Abel Tasman Landing Site
