Small Islands, Big Name; FSM Trivia Quiz

Answer: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

Originally under German, then Japanese control, the TTPI came under the protection of the United Nations, administered by the United States, from 1947. Beginning in 1986 and ending in 1994, the US administration withdrew and the three independent nations of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau, were 'born', along with the US administered Mariana Islands.

The Mariana Islands are the northernmost group of islands in Micronesia.

Answer: Weno

Xavier High has pupils from FSM, Palau, and Marshall Islands on the rolls. It was founded in 1952.
Weno (formerly called Moen) is the name of an island as well as the city - it is the state capital of Chuuk. The actual capital of the Federated States of Micronesia is Palikir, on Pohnpei Island.

Answer: Yes

Ulithi is remote, but modern conveniences have found their way to a small extent. Only some of the islands have electricity supplies, and there is some cell phone coverage too. The Yap Islands are known for their fine diving waters, and adventurous tourists can also take trips to Ulithi.

Answer: Lelu

Kosrae is the smallest state of the FSM, and the most easterly point of the country is a headland there. The other three states are all larger groups of islands and atolls. There are just over 600 islands altogether, with a total land area of approximately 700 square kilometers.
Lelu has an area of just two square kilometres, and the population is between 1000 and 2000 people.

Answer: The central lagoon is entirely enclosed by a reef

Ngulu has a land area of just under half a square kilometer. The lagoon is surrounded by a coral reef, but on the western side this reef is deep under the sea. The atoll is a roughly triangular shape with the islands strung along the southern and eastern sides.

Answer: Guam

As well as useful supplies like fishing nets and tools, the parcels also contain toys and school supplies for the children of Kapingamarangi.
The boxes are dropped from a large cargo plane, on parachutes, and can weigh anything up to 400lbs each.
One of the Caroline Islands, Kapingamarangi is the most southerly atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia, and is 300km south of the nearest island. The people live by fishing and subsistence farming, and are famed for the skill and beauty of their handicrafts.

Answer: An ancient ruined city built on man made islets

Nan Madol is a ceremonial compound, built on a network of man made islets just offshore, on the eastern side of Pohnpei. Archaeologists have determined that the earliest construction of Nan Madol began around the eighth century AD, and the island of Pohnpei has been inhabited since as far back as the third century. Little is known about Nan Madol, with perhaps the biggest mystery being how the large stones, used to construct the islets, were transported into place.

Answer: Colour blindness

Maskun means "no see" in the local language, and along with the 5% of the people who actually suffer from the condition, another 30% are genetic carriers.
It is thought that after a severe typhoon in the late 1700s, so few survivors were left that the condition, known as achromatopsia, became endemic via inbreeding.
Neurologist Oliver Sacks studied the population, and wrote of his findings in his 1997 book "The Island of the Color Blind".

Answer: English

The seven official languages of FSM are English, Yapese, Woleaian, Pohnpeian, Ulithian, Chuukese, and Kosraean. The Polynesian ones are each named for the island where they are predominantly spoken. There are at least eight other dialects in use throughout the islands, with English being used as a common tongue when necessary.

Answer: Publish a book of poetry in English

Emelihter's book "My Urohs" was published in 2008 and received excellent literary reviews. Having studied for her Masters Degree from the University of Hawaii, she now works at the University of Micronesia on Guam.
A urohs is the traditional brightly coloured dress worn by native Micronesian women.