Pohnpei

Pohnpei (formerly known as Ponape or Ascension, from Pohnpeian: "upon (pohn) a stone altar (pei)") is an island of the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group. It belongs to Pohnpei State, one of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Major population centers on Pohnpei include Palikir, the FSM's capital, and Kolonia, the capital of Pohnpei State. Pohnpei is the largest island in the FSM, with an area of 334 km2 (129 sq mi), and a highest point of 782 m (2,566 ft), the most populous with 36,832 people, and the most developed single island in the FSM.

This article is about the Pacific island. For the Roman ruins, see Pompeii. For the modern Italian city, see Pompei. For the Classical Roman leader, see Pompey.

Pohnpei
Map of Pohnpei
Geography
Coordinates06°54′00″N 158°13′30″E
ArchipelagoSenyavin Islands
Adjacent toPacific Ocean
Area334 km2 (129 sq mi)
Highest elevation782 m (2566 ft)
Highest pointMount Nanlaud
Administration
StatePohnpei
Largest settlementKolonia (pop. 6,074)
Demographics
Population36,832 (2020)

Pohnpei is home to the megaliths and ruined city of Nan Madol, built of artificial islands off the island's eastern shore beginning in the 8th or 9th century. An important archaeological site, it was declared a national historic site in 1985.

Pohnpei contains a wealth of biodiversity. It is one of the wettest places on Earth with annual recorded rainfall exceeding 7,600 mm (300 in) each year in certain mountainous locations. It is home to the ka tree (Terminalia carolinensis) found only in Pohnpei and Kosrae.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.