Ifalik

Ifalik (also spelled Ifaluk) is a coral atoll of four islands in the central Caroline Islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district in Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia. Ifalik is located approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) east of Woleai and 700 kilometres (430 mi) southeast of the island of Yap. The population of Ifalik was 561 in 2000,[1] living on 1.5 km2. The primary islets of Ifalik are called Ella, Elangelap, Rawaii, and Falalop, which is the atoll's main island.[2]

Ifalik
NASA picture of Ifalik Atoll
Geography
LocationNorth Pacific
Coordinates7°15′N 144°27′E
ArchipelagoCaroline
Total islands4
Area1.47 km2 (0.57 sq mi)
Highest elevation2 m (7 ft)
Administration
Demographics
Population561 (2000)
Ethnic groupsMicronesian

Geography
Ifalik
Location of Ifalik in the Pacific Ocean
Old Map of Ifalik

The total land area of Ifalik is only 1.47 square kilometres (0.57 sq mi), but it encloses a 20 metres (66 ft) deep lagoon of 2.43 square kilometres (0.94 sq mi).[3] The total area is about six square kilometers.[4]

History

Ifalik is known as a “warrior island”. Prior to European contact, its warriors invaded the outer islands in Yap as well as some of the outer islands in Chuuk. Atolls under the attack included, Lamotrek, Faraulep, Woleai, Elato, Satawal, Ulithi, and Poluwat (outer islet of Chuuk).

As with all of the Caroline Islands, sovereignty passed to the Empire of Germany in 1899. The island came under the control of the Empire of Japan after World War I, and was subsequently administered under the South Seas Mandate. Following World War II, the island came under the control of the United States of America and was administered as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands from 1947, and became part of the Federated States of Micronesia from 1979.

Notes
  2. Pacificweb
  3. Otis W. Freeman, ed., Geography of the Pacific, Wiley 1953
  4. Geosociety
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References
  • Columbia Gazetteer of the World. Vol. 1, p. 900
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