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This is the largest island in the
Eastern Caroline Group and the
capital of the FSM.
It fits the typical South Sea island
image with lush vegetation, abundant
rainfall and tumbling waterfalls.
Unlike other Micronesian islands it
has tropical jungles, mist-covered
mountains, one of the healthiest
mangrove swamps and exotic
f lora in the Pacific. Situated in
the northwestern Pacific, it is 880
metres high, 21 kilometres wide and
shaped somewhat like a circular tent.
Also known as the garden island of
Micronesia, its boldest landmarks are
Sokehs Rock and Nan Madol.
Nan Madol is an ancient stone city
built on the tidal f lats of the eastern
part of Pohnpei.
There are approximately 100 artificial
islets constructed of basalt logs of
various sizes up to 70 tons each –
making Nan Madol the largest and one
of the most mysterious archaeological
sites in the Pacific.
The first European to visit the island
group was Spaniard Diego de Rocha
in 1526. The islands were originally
called the New Philippines until
1696 when they were renamed the
Caroline Islands. Occupied by Spain,
Germany, Japan and the USA, Pohnpei
experienced 100 years of foreign
rule because it proved to be an ideal
supply stop for the Pacific expeditions.
Pohnpeian is the native language,
however; both English and Pohnpeian
are used in business.
Archaeologists and engineers are
attempting to discover more about the
race which constructed the island city
of Nan Madol. The stone fortress was
built on a reef south-east of Temwen
Island by the rulers of Pohnpei around
500 AD until it was taken over by
Isokelekel, the warrior who installed
the present traditional system in the
1520s.
Nan Madol is reached by boat from
the main town of Kolonia about 45
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