WENO

Weno is the largest inhabited island in the Chuuk Lagoon, located in Chuuk State of the Federated States of Micronesia. It serves as the political and administrative center of Chuuk State, hosting the state government complex, the main hospital, and other government facilities. The island is the transport hub of Chuuk Lagoon, with Chuuk International Airport on its shores and a harbor serving inter-island shipping and ferries. A network of roads connects Weno’s coastal villages and urban areas, centered on the capital district around Weno Town.

Geography and population: Weno is a tropical island with low-lying coastal landscapes and developed urban zones around the capital. The population is predominantly Chuukese, and the Chuukese language alongside English is commonly spoken. The island hosts the core governmental and civic services for the state, serving residents of Chuuk and the surrounding islets.

Economy and culture: The economy centers on government administration, healthcare, education, and small-scale commerce, with fishing playing a significant role for coastal communities. Tourism exists, particularly for visitors exploring the Chuuk Lagoon’s shipwrecks and reefs, though most tourist activity is centered on other islets in the lagoon. Cultural life includes Chuukese traditions, celebrations, and communal decision-making practices that persist alongside formal state institutions.

History: The Chuuk Lagoon, including Weno, was heavily fortified during World War II, and the area saw military engagements between Japanese and Allied forces. After the war, Chuuk became part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands administered by the United States, and in 1986 the Federated States of Micronesia gained independence. Today, Weno functions as the state’s capital and a center for administration in Chuuk.