Tarang (Yap) facts for kids
 Tarang
Location in Oceania
|
|
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Yap, Federated States of Micronesia |
| Coordinates | 9°31′38″N 138°7′54″E / 9.52722°N 138.13167°E |
| Highest elevation | 22 ft (6.7 m) |
| Administration | |
| State | Yap |
Tarang, also known as O'Keefe's Island, is a small island. It is located in the main harbor of Yap Island. Yap is part of the Federated States of Micronesia. This country is in the Pacific Ocean. Tarang is a low island. Its highest point is about 22 feet (6.7 meters). It is covered with many tropical plants.
Contents
Discovering Tarang Island
Tarang Island has a special history. It was once home to a famous American. His name was Captain David O'Keefe. He arrived on Yap in the 1870s. Captain O'Keefe brought many changes to the island. He helped the economy grow. But he also changed the value of the unique Yapese money.
Where is Tarang Located?
Tarang Island sits in the middle of Yap's main harbor. It is found east of Colonia. Colonia is the capital city of Yap. Tarang is located between two other islands. These are Pekel Island and Bi Island.
The Story of Captain O'Keefe
Captain David O'Keefe was a very clever American. He was an entrepreneur. This means he started businesses. When he came to Yap, he found a way to trade. He helped the island's economy become stronger. He lived on Tarang Island. He built a boat landing there. He also had a warehouse for coal. His house was on the island too. Today, only the boat landing remains. You can still see the foundations of his other buildings.
What are Rai Stones?
The people of Yap used a special kind of money. It was called rai stones. These were very large stone discs. They had a hole in the middle. Rai stones were hard to make. They were carved from limestone. This stone was found on other islands. People had to travel far to get it. This made the stones very valuable.
Captain O'Keefe brought new tools to Yap. He had iron tools. These tools made it easier to carve the rai stones. Because they were easier to make, more stones appeared. When there were more stones, they became less valuable. This is called devaluation. So, Captain O'Keefe changed the way money worked on Yap.
Tarang's Place in History
Tarang Island is important for its history. It was added to a special list in 1976. This list is called the National Register of Historic Places. It means the island is protected. It is recognized for its historical importance. At that time, Yap was part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. This was a group of islands. They were managed by the United States.
