Palikir

Palikir

Palikir (in north-western side)
within the island of Pohnpei
Coordinates: 6°55′2″N 158°9′32″E / 6.91722°N 158.15889°E / 6.91722; 158.15889Coordinates: 6°55′2″N 158°9′32″E / 6.91722°N 158.15889°E / 6.91722; 158.15889
Country Federated States of Micronesia FS Micronesia
State Pohnpei State Pohnpei
Municipality Sokehs
Population (2009)
 • Total 4,645
Time zone UTC+11[1]
Climate Af

Palikir (/ˈpælɪˌkɪər/) is a town with about 4,600 people and the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean.[2][3][4] It is part of the much larger Sokehs municipality, which had a population of 7,000 as of 2009, out of the nation's total population of 106,487. It is situated on the northwest side of Pohnpei island (population 33,000), a high volcanic island surrounded by a fringing coral reef. Nearby to the northeast is the island's largest settlement, the coastal town of Kolonia.[5]

History

Pohnpei was ruled by tribal chiefs in ancient times. Palikir was formerly a tiny village of little consequence. The island of Pohnpei was discovered by the Portuguese and Spanish in the 15th century, but colonial settlement did not occur until 1886 by the Spanish. Later Germany attained the Caroline Islands via purchase from Spain at the end of the Spanish–US War in 1898. During World War One control passed to the Japanese. During World War II, the Japanese built an airport near Kolonia.[6] Subsequent to World War II, the island was administered by the United States Government until FSM attained independence in 1979.[7] The government of the Federated States of Micronesia decided to convert the Palikir area into a town to house the central administration of the islands as a purpose built capital city. It was declared the capital of Micronesia in 1989.[8] US aid of US $15 million was made available to develop the site into a modern town.[9] All government offices, some residential houses, and the residence of the President of the Federated States of Micronesia were built. It is now the hub of the federal administration of the country, despite still being a village with a population of 4,645.[7][10]

Geography

Palikir is located in the northwestern centre of Pohnpei Island (formerly known as Ponape). Geologically the island terrain consists of high mountains to low coral atolls.[11] It is the largest, highest, wettest and most scenic island of the Federated States of Micronesia.[9] Palikir is 10 kilometres (6 miles) to the west of Kolonia, which is Pohnpei's largest town and state capital of Pohnpei State.[2] Underwater reefs are found all round the coastal region of the island.[3] Dolohmwar (Totolom) is the highest mountain on the island which rises to a height of 791 metres (2,595 feet).[7] Palikir is surrounded by heavily wooded forest. It was declared the capital of Micronesia in 1989.[8]

Climate

The climate is tropical with rainfall recorded throughout the year.[11]

Climate data for Palikir, Pohnpei
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 31
(87)		 31
(87)		 31
(87)		 31
(87)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31
(87)		 31
(87)
Average low °C (°F) 24
(75)		 24
(76)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 23
(74)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 24
(75)		 23
(74)
Average precipitation cm (inches) 30
(12)		 26.4
(10.4)		 36.1
(14.2)		 44.7
(17.6)		 49.3
(19.4)		 43.4
(17.1)		 44.5
(17.5)		 42.2
(16.6)		 41
(16)		 41.1
(16.2)		 40.1
(15.8)		 41
(16)		 479.8
(188.9)
Source: Weatherbase[12]

Demographics

The nationality of the people is Micronesian with the most common ethnicities being Chuukese, Kosraen, Pohnpeian, and Yapese. English is the common and official language while each of the major islands have their own local language such as Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, and Kosrean. 96% of the population is Christian with Roman Catholicism being the majority religion at over 50% of the population. The city has been categorized as having a "high degree of hardship with a typical hardship premium of 30%" from an international perspective.[11][13]

Administration

Palikir is the federal capital of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), which attained independence from, and remains since in free association with, the United States in May 1979. FSM has a constitutional government headed by a president.[7]

Economy

The economy of the capital city is reflected in the economic resources of the FSM Islands (600 islands, atolls and islets (including Pohnpei Island)[14]) as a whole. The economy of the island consists basically of subsistence farming and fishing[6][7] (fish processing and aquaculture). Tropical agricultural and plantation products like copra, breadfruit, taro, betel nuts, sweet potatoes, casava, tropical fruits and vegetables, trochus shells, cacao and rice are produced. Livestock farming exists, fe. pigs and poultry being raised. Products such as fish, bananas, black pepper, and garments are mainly exported to Japan. Imported items are food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment and beverages.[7][11]

The country is independent, but in fact depends on financial support stemming from its Compact of Free Association with the US. As of 2012 the inflation rate was 2% and the cost of living (for imported goods) in Palikir is reportedly very high in comparison with other places in the world.[11]

Notable people

References

  1. ↑ "Current local time in Palikir". Time and Date. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Micronesia, Federated States of" (pdf). Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Pohnpei: underwater reef". Kids.britannica.com. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  4. ↑ "National Government". FSM Government. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "Palikir". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Pohnpei". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Micronesia, Federated States of". Ducksters.com. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Palikir". Infoplease.com. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  9. 1 2 David Leonard (1 July 2001). Diving the Pacific: Volume 1: Micronesia and the Western Pacific Islands. Tuttle Publishing. pp. 152–. ISBN 978-962-593-499-0. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  10. ↑ "Palikir, capital of Micronesia".
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Micronesia, Palikir Overview". xpatulator.com. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  12. ↑ "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Palikir Federated States of Micronesia". Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on 7 May 2013
  13. ↑ "Micronesia, Federated States of". CIA Fact Book, theodora.com. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  14. ↑ "Micronesia". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
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