Big Mama's Piece of the Rock   ·   Truk, A Brief History   ·   Chuuk: Caricature of An Island   ·   Erotic Legends and Narratives in Chuuk   ·   Spirit Possession in Chuuk   ·   Japanese 'ghost fleet' sinking - again   ·   Land Issues in Chuuk   ·   Beachcombers in Chuuk
Chuuk State Flag Other Chuuk Articles: Big Mama's Piece of the Rock Truk, A Brief History Chuuk: Caricature of An Island Erotic Legends and Narratives in Chuuk Spirit Possession in Chuuk Japanese 'ghost fleet' sinking - again Land Issues in Chuuk Beachcombers in Chuuk Chuuk State Government Links State of Chuuk by FSM Visitors Board State of Chuuk Investment and Business Development Opportunities About the State of Chuuk by Legal Information System Soft Coral, Truck Lagoon, Micronesia Photographic Print Essig, Steve Buy at AllPosters.com Boat Taxi, Blue Lagoon Resort, Weno Centre, Micronesia Photographic Print Elk III, John Buy at AllPosters.com Blue Lagoon Resort Beach, Weno Centre, Micronesia Photographic Print Elk III, John Buy at AllPosters.com		Located about 1,000 kilometers southeast of Guam, Chuuk State consists of 11 high mangrove-fringed islands in the Chuuk lagoon, and a series of 14 outlying atolls and low islands surrounding the lagoon.  The main islands, Weno, Tonoas, Uman and Fefan are located in Chuuk Lagoon.  Of Chuuk State's population of about 53,000, more than 40,000 live on islands in the lagoon.  The main island of Weno has a population of about 15,000. The lagoon, still referred to as “Truk Lagoon” is one of the largest enclosed lagoons in the world, circled by a 225 kilometer long barrier reef, and covering an area of 2,129 square kilometers.			Nopuko's Store: Micronesia Books WW2 Books Micronesia Shirts Island Videos Cell Phones & Service Computer & Video Games Cameras & Photo Sokehs Ridge, Micronesia Photographic Print Elk III, John Buy at AllPosters.com WWII Japanese Guns in Jungle, Sokehs Ridge, Micronesia Photographic Print Elk III, John Buy at AllPosters.com
		Weno, Chuuk Street Scene	Chuuk's major attractions today are the 100 or more World War II Japanese vessels and planes which rest at the bottom of the vast, but relatively shallow lagoon.  Local dive operators know the area, the wrecks, and the reefs intimately. The lagoon was written into modern history as the headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Navy's Fourth
		Fleet.  The American attacks in February 1944 had major military significance in the fact that they were not supported by land-based aircraft or followed up by amphibious forces. Divers from all over the world come to marvel at this underwater museum and “graveyard” which has been softened by time and nature.  Many of the wrecks have become unbelievably beautiful living reefs of brilliant soft corals and sea anemones where an abundance of tropical marine life lives and plays. Water conditions are usually excellent.  For most of the year the lagoon is tranquil and even when the surface does occasionally whip up a swell the currents below are almost non-existent, except near the passes.  Wet suits are required only for protection against grazes.
		Chuuk has declared the whole lagoon a monument and the removal of items from the wrecks is strictly prohibited. For reef divers, there are numerous tidal passes, drop-offs, walls and island reefs to explore. On Weno, evidence of previous	Some of the islands of Chuuk Lagoon
		occupations includes fortified caves and tunnels, a Japanese built lighthouse and the former Japanese communications center, which is now the Jesuit run Xavier High School.  Cultural sights include a men's meeting house dating back to the early days of Chuuk's history.  Other islands in the lagoon also carry evidence of the previous occupations - such as an airfield and communications building on the island of Etten, south of Tonoas (Dublon) - and of Chuuk's own cultural past. Chuuk's outer islands composed of the Mortlocks, Halls and Western island groups are small low-lying coral atolls reachable by boat and plane.  Because of the lack of facilities on the outer islands, most tourism takes place on Weno island, although some of the other inner lagoon islands (e.g. Falos) provide day tours and tourism facilities.  Day tours to lagoon islands are essential if visitors are to understand the diversity of Chuukese culture. For more Information about the islands of Chuuk or any of the islands of the FSM, please email us. And be sure and check out our books. Big Mama's Piece of the Rock  |  Truk, A Brief History  |  Chuuk: Caricature of An Island  |  Erotic Legends and Narratives in Chuuk  |  Spirit Possession in Chuuk © 2006 nopukob.com