10. MICRONESIA
11 Interesting Facts about Micronesia
1. Micronesia also known as “Federal States of Micronesia” is an archipelago of 607 islands on the Pacific Ocean, the result of volcanic activity millions of years ago.
2. The Federal States of Micronesia in grouped into four island states:
Yap – 4 large islands, 7 small islands and 134 atolls ( islands that have sunk beneath the surface)
Chuuk – 7 Major island groups
Pohnpei – the largest and the capital
Kosrae – one high island
3. The official currency of Micronesia is the US dollars.
4. Pohnpei, the capital of Micronesia is said to be one of the wettest places on Earth; some locations on the interior of the island receives up to 330 inches of rain per year.
5. 2,000-foot mountain peaks, deeply gorged river valleys, rolling hills, open grasslands, lush mangrove forests, lagoons, sandy beaches are the natural features you will come across in Micronesia.
6. Land is held in high esteem and ownership is held by families and clans not just according to tradition but also because of the shortage of land.
7. The official language of Micronesia is English. There are however 8 major local languages; Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaians, Chuukese, Pohnpeians, Kosraeans, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi.
8. Sakau is a popular local drink among Pohnpeians and other Micronesian states. It is made from the roots of a pepper shrub (Piper capsicum) and the inner bark of the hibiscus tree. Sakau was in the past drank only during special occasions and reserved for nobles and high chiefs.
9. The Pohnpeian pepper has been said to be the best in the world. In addition to being spicy, it has a rich fragrance and full flavor.
10. Common foods eaten in Micronesia are yam, breadfruit, banana, coconuts, crabs, shellfish, chicken and pig. Pigs are reared by most families in Pohnpei and Kosrae for ceremonies and cultural purposes.
11. The “Churu” is a popular dance by the Yapese people done during a feast or special occasions. The dancers adorn themselves with coconut leaves and flowers and rub their skins with turmeric and coconut oil to give a golden shine.
10 Things to do in Micronesia
1. Go hiking to see the Pahn Takai Cave and Wichon falls in Pohnpei. The waterfall is about 150 feet high and the cave more than 900 feet across.
2. Go swimming at the Kepirohi Waterfall. The Kepirohi Waterfall is the most popular waterfall in Pohnpei with its large square basalt stones, 20meters fall and lake.
Other waterfalls in Pohnpei are the Liduduhniap Waterfall (twin falls), Lehn Paipohn Waterfall and Sahwartik/Sahwarlap Waterfall.
3. In Kosrae you can walk to the Sipyen Waterfall and/or the Saolung Waterfall. You can also visit the Wiya Bird Cave which is the only available housing for thousands of Island swiftlet birds. The cave is also said to be the home of real life Giants.
4. Visit the James Palsis Marine Park in Kosrae and enjoy the
pristine forests, mangrove, lagoon and sea-grass meadow ecosystems. Have a picnic, barbeque or just go snorkeling in the crystal clear waters.
Another Marine park in Kosrae, with natural wonders is the Utwe-Walung Marine Park.
5. Go hiking to Mt.Tonaachaw in CHUUK.
The mountain is believed to be the home of the god, Souwoniras, and his divine son.
6. Go hiking to Mt. Finkol, the highest peak in Kosrae, at over 2,064 ft. The mountain hosts the lowest elevation cloud forest on the planet; it is in the top three wettest places on earth. It takes about 8 hours to tour this mountain.
7. Tour the Giant Clam farm in Kosrae where rare giant clam species are raised mainly for export to the salt-water aquarium markets in the United States and Europe.
8. Visit the Kosrae State Musium to see artifacts excavated from Kosrae’s ruins and other exhibits on Kosrae’s history and culture.
9. Check out the Old Japanese Lighthouse in Chuuk built on top of a hill by the Japanese Army in 1930. From this lighthouse you can get an interesting view of the island of Weno and other high islands, atolls and sand spits in the large Chuuk lagoon.
10. You can also go wreck diving, fishing, surfing, kite surfing and kayaking.
