Tonga is an island country located in the South Pacific Ocean, about 1,200 miles from Australia and 2,500 miles from New Zealand. The population of Tonga is approximately 106,000. Tonga is a constitutional monarchy with a monarch as head of state. The prime minister is the head of government. The Parliament consists of 33 members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms. The judicial system is based on English common law. Tonga became an independent monarchy in 1875 and remained so until Tonga became a republic in 1970.