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The State of Kosrae is one of
four states in the Federated
States of Micronesia and, as
well as the island of Kosrae,
consists of several islands and
islets, the most significant being
Lelu Island.
Roughly triangular in shape, Kosrae
covers an area of approximately 110
square kilometres.
The most eastern of the Caroline
Islands, Kosrae has a population of
approximately 7000 people and is
located north of the equator between
Guam and the islands of Hawaii. The
coral reefs that surround the island are
kept in a pristine condition through
an extensive mooring buoy system
and the area is becoming a favourite
destination for scuba divers from all
around the world. The island's interior
is covered with deep vegetation and
steep mountains that keep it largely
undeveloped.
European contact with Kosrae in 1824
reported a highly stratified society that
was typical of the surrounding islands
at that time. Its cultural features
included matrilineal lineage and clans
with a feudal structure of nobles who
controlled the land that was worked by
commoners.
The settlements consisted of small
groups of relatives who shared a single
cookhouse, usually with at least one
earth oven.
The first missionary post was
established in 1852 after American
missionaries felt the need to protect
the people of Kosrae from the large
numbers of whalers and beachcombers
who had made the island, which they
considered a paradise, their home.
Even today religion plays an integral
role in the culture of Kosrae. Sunday is
considered a day of rest and most stores
and shops are closed on that day.
In 1874, the pirate Bully Hayes was
shipwrecked on Kosrae when his ship
the Leonara was stuck in Lelu harbour
during a storm. During his stay of
several months on the island, Nully
terrorised the local people. He was
finally arrested by Captain Dupuis
aboard the HMS Rosario but managed
to escape on a boat built of timber from
the wrecked Leonara.
Traditional foods on the island include
breadfruit, coconut, banana, taro,
yam and sugarcane. Woodcarving,
K O S R A E
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