Pohnpei

Pohnpei is an island in the western Pacific Ocean and the main landmass of Pohnpei State, one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Located in the central Caroline Islands, it is the most populous and developed island in FSM. The national capital Palikir sits on Pohnpei, while Kolonia serves as the state capital and commercial center.

Geographically, Pohnpei is rugged and heavily forested, with a tall central ridge, deep gorges, and numerous rivers. The island has a tropical rainforest climate with high rainfall. The Nan Madol ruins lie on the southeastern coast, a landmark city built on artificial islets linked by canals.

Pre-contact Micronesian culture shaped daily life for centuries. Europeans first reached the island in the 16th century; it later became part of the Spanish East Indies, was ceded to Germany in 1899, and came under Japanese administration during the interwar period. After World War II it was administered by the United States as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands until joining the FSM in 1986 by the Compact of Free Association.

Languages spoken include Pohnpeian, an Austronesian language, and English, the official language of the FSM. The population is predominantly Micronesian, with traditional village life, seafaring heritage, and a strong emphasis on communal decision making.

Economy centers on subsistence farming, fishing, and government services based in Palikir and Kolonia, with growing tourism around Nan Madol and the island’s natural scenery. The island receives abundant rainfall and has a warm, humid tropical climate year round.