Palikir facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Palikir
Surf in Palikir
Palikir (in north-western side) within the island of Pohnpei
Country	F.S. Micronesia
State	Pohnpei State
Municipality	Sokehs
Population  (2010)
• Total	6,647
Time zone	UTC+11
Climate	Af

Palikir is the capital city of the Federated States of Micronesia. It's located in the western Pacific Ocean. This small city has less than 5,000 people. It's part of the bigger Sokehs area, which had about 6,647 residents in 2010. The whole country has about 106,487 people.

Palikir is found on the northwest side of Pohnpei island. Pohnpei is a large volcanic island with a population of about 34,789. It is surrounded by a beautiful coral reef. The island's biggest town, Kolonia, is nearby to the northeast. Palikir became the capital of Micronesia in 1989.

History of Palikir

Pohnpei island was once ruled by local tribal chiefs. Palikir used to be a very small village that wasn't very important.

Colonial Rule and Independence

Portuguese and Spanish explorers found Pohnpei island in the 1400s. However, no European settlements were built until 1886 by the Spanish. Later, Germany bought the Caroline Islands, which include Pohnpei, from Spain in 1898. This happened after the Spanish–American War.

During World War I, control of the island went to the Japanese. In World War II, the Japanese built an airport near Kolonia. After World War II, the United States government managed the island. The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) became an independent country in 1979.

Becoming the Capital City

The government of the Federated States of Micronesia decided to make the Palikir area into a new city. This city would be built specifically to house the country's main government offices. It was officially named the capital of Micronesia in 1989.

The United States provided 15 million dollars to help develop Palikir into a modern town. New government offices, homes, and the residence of the President were built. Today, Palikir is the center of the country's federal government. Even so, it still feels like a village with a population of about 4,645 people.

Geography of Palikir

Palikir is located in the northwestern part of Pohnpei Island. This island was once known as Ponape. The island's land goes from high mountains to low coral atolls. Pohnpei is the largest, highest, wettest, and most beautiful island in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Palikir is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) southwest of Kolonia. Kolonia is Pohnpei's largest town and the capital of Pohnpei State. You can find underwater reefs all around the island's coast. About 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) to the southeast, Mount Nanlaud stands tall. It is the highest point in the Federated States of Micronesia and on Pohnpei, reaching about 2,566 feet (782 meters). Palikir is surrounded by thick forests.

Climate in Palikir

Palikir has a tropical rainforest climate. This type of climate means that temperatures don't change much throughout the year. The average daily temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) all year long.

The city gets a lot of rain every year. On average, about 5,202 millimeters (205 inches) of rain falls annually. This makes Palikir the wettest capital city in the world!

People of Palikir

The people of Palikir are Micronesian. The most common groups are Chuukese, Kosraeans, Pohnpeian, and Yapese.

English is the main and official language. However, each of the larger islands has its own local language. These include Chuukese, Kosraean, Pohnpeian, and Yapese.

Most of the population, about 96%, is Christian. Roman Catholicism is the largest religion, followed by over 50% of the people.

Government in Palikir

Since 1989, Palikir has been the federal capital of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The FSM became independent from the United States in May 1979. It remains in a special partnership called free association with the U.S. The FSM has a government based on a constitution, led by a president.

Economy of Palikir

The economy of Palikir is connected to the economy of all the FSM Islands. The FSM includes about 600 islands, atolls, and islets, including Pohnpei Island.

Main Economic Activities

The economy of the island mainly involves:

• Subsistence farming: Growing food for families to eat.
• Fishing: Catching fish for food and for sale. This also includes processing fish and raising fish in farms (aquaculture).

Farmers grow tropical crops like copra (dried coconut meat), breadfruit, taro, betel nuts, sweet potatoes, cassava, and various tropical fruits and vegetables. They also produce trochus shells, cacao, and rice. Animals like pigs and chickens are also raised.

Trade and Financial Support

Products such as fish, bananas, black pepper, and clothing are mostly sent to Japan. The country imports goods like food, manufactured items, machinery, equipment, and drinks.

Even though the country is independent, it relies on financial help from its Compact of Free Association with the U.S. In 2012, the inflation rate was 2%. The cost of living in Palikir, especially for imported goods, is said to be very high compared to other places in the world.

Education in Palikir

The Pohnpei State Department of Education runs public schools in the area.

• Palikir Elementary School

Bailey Olter High School, which used to be called Pohnpei Island Central School (PICS), serves students from the Sokehs area. This high school is located in Kolonia.

Notable People from Palikir

• Emelihter Kihleng, a poet
• Bailey Olter, a politician

Transportation

Pohnpei International Airport is located close to Palikir.

Images for kids

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  Surf in Palikir

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  Palikir (in north-western side) within the island of Pohnpei

See also

In Spanish: Palikir para niños