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This is the largest island in the
Eastern Caroline Group and the
capital of the FSM.
It f its 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 Pacif ic. Situated in
the northwestern Pacif ic, 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 artif icial
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 Pacif ic.
The f irst 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 Pacif ic 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 minutes away. It's a full day boat
tour which includes a visit to the
spectacular Keprohi Waterfall and
P O H N P E I
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