Integrated Sustainability Analysis
@ The University of Sydney

Yap

Yap, locally known as Wa�ab, is a cluster of islands that stretch about 600 miles in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (former Caroline Islands). It includes Yap proper, a group of four continental islands (hence the alternate name of Yap Islands) lies at 9� 31' N 138� 5' E within a fringing barrier reef approximately 500 miles southwest of Guam and 300 miles northeast of Palau. The other islands and atolls that comprise state of Yap extend eastward toward Chuuk state, with one atoll about 80 miles to the south. The state has a total land area of 38.7 sq. mi. Yap is known as �the island of stone money� for huge discs of stones were once used as local currency. Yap is connected by air from Guam and Palau.

Yap Islands were first discovered by a Portuguese explorer Diego DeRocha in 1526. However, Spaniards were the first settlers (circa 1731), followed by Germans in 1899. It became part of a Japanese mandate after the World War I. The United States occupied Yap after the World War II and they held it and the rest of the Caroline Islands as a trusteeship called Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands under United Nations mandate until 1986. In 1986, Yap became part of the independent nation of the Federated States of Micronesia along with Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae and entered into a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Under the Compact of Free Association relationship, the United States provided guaranteed financial assistance in exchange for full international defense authority and responsibilities.

Yap state has a population of about 11,376, of which about 7,526 reside on Yap proper and 3850 reside on outlying atolls and islands. The economy is dominated by the public sector, which is largely funded by the sector grants under the United States Compact of Free Association. Real per capita of Yap State is estimated to be $3,034. Like other states in FSM, Yap is heavily dependent on imports, notably from United States.

Prof Manfred Lenzen (left) and Dr Murukesan Krishnapillai (centre) teaching at the College of Micronesia.

From left to right: Francis Falan - Yap State Public Service Corporation (YSPSC), Steven Libmad - YSPSC, Gidion Moofal - YSPSC, Thomas Gorong - Kaday Community & Cultural Development Org (KC&CDO), Prof. Manfred Lenzen, Tony Rad - Department of Resources & Development, Geraldine Mitagyow - College of Micronesia-FSM, Christina Fillmed - Yap State Environmental Protection Agency, and Kensley Ikosia - Office of Planning & Budget.

An aerial view of Yap.

The States of the FSM.

References

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