Tonga operates on Tonga Time (TOT), which is 13 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+13). Tonga does not currently observe daylight saving time, so the time remains consistent throughout the year.
All of Tonga follows the same timezone. The capital city Nuku'alofa, along with all 169 islands that make up the Kingdom of Tonga, observe Tonga Time. Tonga is one of the first countries in the world to welcome each new day.
Tonga is the only Pacific Island nation that was never colonized by a European power. The Kingdom of Tonga has been ruled by the same royal dynasty since 1845. Tonga is also known as "The Friendly Islands," a name given by British explorer Captain James Cook when he arrived in 1773.