Who discovered Pohnpei?

Fyodor Litke
Pohnpei, together with the Senyavin Islands, was definitely included in the European navigation charts after being sighted by the Russian navigator Fyodor Litke in 1828, more than two centuries after the rest of the Caroline Islands.

How was Micronesia formed?

The Federated States of Micronesia was formerly a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, a United Nations Trust Territory under U.S. administration, but it formed its own constitutional government on May 10, 1979, becoming a sovereign state after independence was attained on November 3, 1986 under a …

Why did Nan Madol have openings?

When Nan Madol was populated, openings in the breakwaters gave canoes access to the ocean and allowed seawater to flow in and out with the tides, cleaning the canals.

How was Nan Madol created?

According to Pohnpeian legend, Nan Madol was constructed by twin sorcerers Olisihpa and Olosohpa from the mythical Western Katau, or Kanamwayso. The brothers arrived in a large canoe seeking a place to build an altar so that they could worship Nahnisohn Sahpw, the god of agriculture.

Who owns Pohnpei?

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.

Is Nauru part of Micronesia?

Nauru, island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of a raised coral island located in southeastern Micronesia, 25 miles (40 km) south of the Equator.

Who invaded Micronesia?

Since the initial encounters of Micronesians and Europeans in the sixteenth century Micronesia has undergone colonial rule by four world powers: Spain (mid-1500s to 1899), Germany (1899-1914), Japan (1914-1944), and the United States (1944 to the current termination of United Nations trustee- ship).

How was the Nan Madol built?

Carbon dating indicates that megalithic construction at Nan Madol began around AD 1180 when large basalt stones were taken from a volcanic plug on the opposite side of Pohnpei. The earliest settlement on Pohnpei was probably around AD 1 although radiocarbon dating shows human activity starting around AD 80–200.

How do you get to Nan Madol?

The hard part about visiting Nan Madol is getting to the island of Pohnpei. Micronesia gets very few visitors as it is far away from any major population center, and there is only really one way to get to the island. The only way to get to the island is via the “island hopper” flight run by United Airlines.

On what did the people of Nan Madol concentrate their resources?

Immense human power [3] The creators of Nan Madol managed to quarry columns of basalt from a site in Sokehs, on the other side of Pohnpei, and transport them more than 25 miles to the submerged coral reefs that are the foundations of Nan Madol.

What is Pohnpei known for?

Pohnpei is famous for its energetic dance and also the relaxing drinking sakau, a kava-like brew drink use in ceremonies and also sold in bars. Watching sakau being prepared is an experience unique to Pohnpei.