Yap State (Yapese: Wa'ab or Waqab) is one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia, located in the westernmost portion of the country. The state borders Palau to the southwest, Guam to the north, and Chuuk State to the east. According to the state's population census carried out in 2020, the total population is 11,577 residing across a total area of 119.54 sq km (46.15 sq mi), though a large majority of the area is water. The only town area in the state, Colonia, serves as the state capital.
Yap State Nam nu Wa'ab | |
|---|---|
State | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Nickname: The Island of Stone Money | |
 Map of Yap State | |
 Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia | |
| Coordinates: 9°31′N 138°07′E / 9.52°N 138.12°E | |
| Country | Federated States of Micronesia |
| Capital | Colonia |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Charles Chieng |
| Area | |
• Total | 119.54 km2 (46.15 sq mi) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 11,577 |
| • Density | 97/km2 (250/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Yapese |
| Time zone | UTC+10 |
| Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) | 96943 |
| ISO 3166 code | FM-YAP |
| Website | www |
What is now current-day Yap State and some parts of Chuuk State were the historical Yapese Empire, which at its peak, controlled 1,300 km of the western Pacific comprising all the inhabited islands and atolls between Yap and Chuuk. The rulers of the chiefdom of Gagil in Yap maintained sovereignty of these islands to the east and extracted resources and tribute, maintaining close economic and political relationships with the different island groups. After losing its influence and becoming incorporated territories of Spain, the German Empire, the Japanese Empire, and the United States through the UN-mandated Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), Yap and the islands and atolls between Yap and Chuuk formed Yap State upon the founding of the FSM.
According to the FSM Statistics Office, the population of Colonia and the municipalities of Yap State was 11,577 in 2020. The state has a total land area of 102 km2 (39 sq mi).
History
The islands are thought to have been populated from the Malay Archipelago. In approximately 950 AD, it was the seat of the Yapese Empire, contemporary to the Tu'i Tonga Empire. The outer islands, now part of the Yap state, were settled from Polynesia.
The island nation formerly used rai stones as currency. Since this stone money had to be made from a rock that could not be extracted on the island, its value derived from the dangers taken on expeditions to obtain it, mainly from Palau.
The Portuguese were the first Westerners to visit the island in 1525 when the navigator Diogo da Rocha arrived in Ulithi and stayed there for four months.
The Caroline Islands were under Spanish rule from the 16th century under Johannes von Yaplett until the end of the 19th century. Still, most of the communities on the islands of the present state of Yap had little contact with Europeans and lived in complete independence. In 1885, following a conflict between Spain and Germany, the arbitration of Pope Leo XIII confirmed possession to Spain against commercial advantages for Germany. On June 30, 1899, after the Spanish–American War, Spain sold the Carolines, the Palau Islands, and the majority of the Marianas to the German Empire. At the start of the First World War, in 1914, the Empire of Japan occupied the area. This occupation was formally recognized within the framework of the Mandate of the Pacific Islands created in 1919 by the League of Nations.
The Caroline Islands came under the control of the United States in 1944, which administered them as a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands under a UN mandate received in 1947. The state was once the Yap District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. On May 10, 1979, Yap ratified the Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia and became an integral part of this new nation with official independence on November 3, 1986.
Geography
Yap State is the westernmost state of the Micronesian Federation. Further eastwards in order are the states of Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae. It consists of the four main islands of Rumung, Maap, Gagil-Tamil, and Yap Proper (Marbaa') and 134 smaller islands southwest and east of Yap. The state stretches from the Yap main islands towards the east to Chuuk for 1,200 to 1,500 kilometers (750 to 930 mi; 650 to 810 nmi).
The Yapanese Main Islands are located approximately 800 kilometers (500 mi; 430 nmi) southwest of Guam, 3,200 kilometers (2,000 mi; 1,700 nmi) from Tokyo, 2,000 kilometers (1,200 mi; 1,100 nmi) from Manila, and 8,000 kilometers (5,000 mi; 4,300 nmi) from Honolulu.
Languages
Yap State has five official languages: English, Ulithian, Woleaian, Satawalese and Yapese.
Demographics
According to the FSM Statistics Division, the 2020 population of Yap State is 11,577. The state has the third-largest population among the states in the FSM, with Chuuk and Pohnpei leading in this order. The population of the state consists mainly of the local Yapanese, Ulithians, Woleaians and Satawalese people; however, the state has been seeing a rise in the number of foreign citizens from countries such as the United States, Japan, Palau and the Philippines.
Religion
According to the 2018 International Religious Freedom Report compiled by the United States Department of State, an estimated 80% of the state population is Catholic, and the remainder is Protestant. Religious affiliation tends to follow clan lines. A majority of foreign citizens in the FSM and the state is made up of Filipino Catholics.
Municipalities
Yap State is divided into 21 municipalities, with each municipality having several village units incorporated through customs and historically set boundary lines. Each municipality can be placed in one of five main island groupings: Rumung, Maap, Gagil-Tamil, Marbaa' and the Neighboring Islands. The first four groupings are part of Yap Proper.
These municipalities are listed with their populations at the 2010 Census:
| Yap Main Islands (7,371) | Neighboring Islands (4,006) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rumung | Maap | Gagil-Tamil | Marbaa' | |
| Rumung (58) | Maap (621) | Gagil (863) | Fanif (509) | Eauripik (114) |
| Tamil (1,231) | Weloy (1,031) | Elato (105) | ||
| Dalipebinaw (397) | Fais (294) | |||
| Kanifay (314) | Faraulep (193) | |||
| Rull (2,095) | Ifalik (578) | |||
| Gilman (252) | Lamotrek (329) | |||
| Ngulu (6) | ||||
| Satawal (501) | ||||
| Sorol (0) | ||||
| Ulithi (847) | ||||
| Woleai (1,039) | ||||
Not included: Pikelot.
Politics and government
Yap State is one of the four federal states of the Federated States of Micronesia. As a democratic federation, each state can retain a large amount of power within the state as well as a certain level of sovereignty typical of federal states. As such, the State adheres to the FSM National and Yap State constitutions to develop policies and regulations.
The State Government is unique because it consists of four government branches, each serving a specific function for policymaking. The Executive Branch consists of the Governor as well as the Lieutenant Governor, along with the members of the government departments affiliated with the branch. The Executive Branch is responsible for executing laws and administering government services. The Yap State Legislature makes up the Legislative Branch, responsible for creating, debating, and passing bills for the Executive Branch to approve into law and enforce. The Yap State Court makes up the Judicial Branch, responsible for ensuring laws passed do not violate the state and national constitutions. The unique traditional branch vests its power into two groups of Yapanese chiefs. The group of Yap Main Island chiefs is known as the Council of Pilung, and the group of Yapanese outer island chiefs is known as the Council of Tamol. The two councils make sure whether proposed bills do not violate local traditional customs and regulate cultural issues.
Information about some state government leaders and administrative staff is included below.
| Roles/Responsibilities | Individual |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the Legislature | Hon. Nicholas Figirlaarwon |
| Vice Speaker | Hon. Theodore "Ted" Rutun |
| Floor Leader | Hon. Terrence Fong |
| Chairman, Committee on Finance | Hon. Pius Telimesei |
| Vice Chairman, Committee on Finance | Hon. Anne Marie Laamar |
| Chairman, Committee on Health and Welfare | Hon. Victor Bamog |
| Vice Chairman, Committee on Health and Welfare | Hon. Gabriel Ramoloilug |
| Chairman, Committee on Resources, Education and Development | Hon. John A. Mafel |
| Vice Chairman, Committee on Resources, Education and Development | Hon. Liyon Sulog |
| Other Members | Hon. John Masiwemai |
| Chief Clerk | Dee N. Libian |
| Assistant Chief Clerk | Ben Chosmal |
| Budget Officer | Noimilynn N.F. Pigao |
| Administrative Secretary | Theresa Kitin |
| Legislative Counsel | Genevieve M. Mangefel |
| Assistant Legislative Counsel | Vacant |
| Roles/Responsibilities | Individual | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | Hon. Charles S. Chieng | ||
| Lieutenant Governor | Hon. Francis Itimai | ||
| Acting Attorney General | Quintina Letawerpiy | ||
| Acting Chief, Division of Public Safety | Zachary Gamow | ||
| Director, Administrative Services | Thomas Gilwuyoch Tun | ||
| Director, Planning and Budget | Julius Liyon Tun | ||
| Director, Youth and Civic Affairs | Alex Gilfiley | ||
| Director, Department of Resources & Development | Bernard Gorong | ||
| Director, Department of Public Works & Transportation | Joe Giltug | ||
| Director, Department of Health Services | Theo Thinnifel | ||
| Director, Department of Education | Dominic Fanasog | Commissioner, Yap State Election Office | VACANT |
| Roles/Responsibilities | Individual |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice | Hon. Cyprian Manmaw |
| Associate Justice | Hon. Jesse Torwan |
| Hon. Jonathan M. Tun | |
| Yap State Court Counsel | Seema Shaw, Esq. |
| Clerk of Court | Julianne Giley |
| Court Administrator | Achilles Defngin |
| Roles/Responsibilities | Individual |
|---|---|
| Chairman, Council of Pilung | Hon. Thomas Falngin |
| Chairman, Council of Tamol | Hon. Paul Marlul |
| Roles/Responsibilities | Individual |
|---|---|
| Public Defender | [VACANT] |
| MLSC, Dir. Attorney | John T. Mootmag, Esq. |
| Acting Director, Yap Environmental Protection Agency | Jordan Mautaman |
| Director, Yap Community Action Program | Sabino Sauchomal |
| Director, Yap Investment Trust | Patricia D. Moonfel |
| Director, Yap Fishing Authority | Timothy Igemai |
| Director, Yap State Public Service Corporation | Victor Nabeyan |
| Director, Yap State Public Library | Erica Ruepin |
| Director, Yap Visitors Authority | Susan Gooliyan |
| Director, Yap Sports Council Office | Lawrence Uwelur |
Climate
| Climate data for Yap | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 33 (91) | 34 (93) | 34 (93) | 35 (95) | 35 (95) | 34 (94) | 34 (93) | 36 (96) | 34 (94) | 34 (94) | 34 (94) | 36 (96) | 36 (96) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 30.1 (86.2) | 30.2 (86.4) | 31.1 (88.0) | 31.2 (88.2) | 30.9 (87.6) | 30.7 (87.3) | 30.6 (87.1) | 30.8 (87.4) | 30.9 (87.6) | 30.9 (87.6) | 30.4 (86.7) | 30.7 (87.3) | 30.7 (87.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 26.8 (80.2) | 26.9 (80.4) | 27.5 (81.5) | 27.6 (81.7) | 27.3 (81.1) | 27.1 (80.8) | 27.1 (80.8) | 27.1 (80.8) | 27.2 (81.0) | 27.3 (81.1) | 27.1 (80.8) | 27.2 (81.0) | 27.2 (81.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 23.5 (74.3) | 23.5 (74.3) | 24.0 (75.2) | 24.1 (75.4) | 23.8 (74.8) | 23.6 (74.5) | 23.4 (74.1) | 23.4 (74.1) | 23.5 (74.3) | 23.7 (74.7) | 23.8 (74.8) | 23.7 (74.7) | 23.7 (74.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 19 (67) | 19 (66) | 19 (66) | 19 (67) | 18 (65) | 19 (66) | 18 (65) | 19 (66) | 19 (66) | 17 (63) | 18 (65) | 17 (63) | 17 (63) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 186 (7.33) | 152 (5.98) | 151 (5.96) | 146 (5.76) | 230 (9.06) | 322 (12.69) | 369 (14.54) | 386 (15.20) | 343 (13.51) | 304 (11.97) | 230 (9.07) | 228 (8.99) | 3,050 (120.06) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 16.8 | 13.4 | 13.7 | 12.6 | 17.1 | 20.2 | 21.2 | 20.9 | 19.3 | 20.1 | 18.7 | 17.6 | 211.6 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 82 | 81 | 80 | 79 | 81 | 83 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 83 | 83 | 82 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 210.8 | 211.9 | 251.1 | 255.0 | 244.9 | 201.0 | 189.1 | 176.7 | 180.0 | 170.5 | 192.0 | 198.4 | 2,481.4 |
| Source 1: Weatherbase | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Hong Kong Observatory (sun, precipitation 1961–1990) | |||||||||||||
Economy
The GDP per capita in 2018 was US$4,510, while the total GDP in 2018 was US$52 million. According to the 2010 Labor Market Statistics data compiled by the FSM Statistics Office, 67% of the total state population is in the labor force, the highest percentage of people in the labor force in the entire nation. Most of those in the labor force are in formal work, while the rest are in home production, including subsistence.
Yap has a relatively small tourism industry, with the Yap Visitors Bureau reporting only 4,000 annual visitors from 2010 to 2017. China's Exhibition & Travel Group has announced plans to develop a 4,000-unit resort on the island. Businesses that contribute to the state's tourism share of state GDP are Manta Ray Resort and Spa, ESA, and Yap Pacific Dive Resort.
The largest retail businesses in the State are Yap Cooperative Association (YCA) General Store, Guang Mao Enterprises, Yap Savemore Enterprises and EMI Enterprises. These businesses contribute primarily to the State's retail and wholesale sectors.
The State also has a small but essential financial sector that supports the population's investment and capital needs, local small- and medium-enterprises (SMEs), the government and state institutions, and the academic sector. It has five financial services institutions: the Bank of Guam (BOG), the Bank of the Federated States of Micronesia (BFSM), Community Ayuw Services Credit Union, Western Union, and the FSM Development Bank.
The State is now expected to be one of the fastest-growing economies in the country as technological innovation is highly encouraged. Although the FSM communications industry is largely monopolized by the state-operated FSM Telecommunications Corporation based in Pohnpei, Yap saw the rise of the tech startup company iBoom when the company is expected to utilise the National Government's Digital FSM Project 2017 grant funding from the World Bank to connect each home, work office, etc. iBoom is expected to challenge previous monopoly of the FSM Telecom Corporation through competitive pricing and services.
Transportation
Yap International Airport receives service from United Airlines as well as Pacific Mission Aviation. The state also has a small dockyard, colloquially known as Gampek, in Colonia just south of Tamil Harbor that services maritime vessels for inter-state and cross-border transport and freight.
Education
Post-secondary institutions:
- College of Micronesia-FSM Yap Campus in Rull
- FSM Fisheries and Maritime Institute in Gagil
State secondary schools:
- Yap High School in Colonia
- in Woleai
- Outer Islands High School in Ulithi
Private Secondary and Elementary Schools:
- Yap Catholic High School in Lamer village, Rull
- Saint Mary's School in Colonia
- Yap Seventh Day Adventist School in Tamil
- Faith Christian Academy in Makiy, Gagil
- Yap International Christian School in Gaanelay, Rull
Notable people
- John Mangefel: FSM Founding Father; First State Governor
- Petrus Tun: FSM Founding Father; first FSM Vice President; Second State Governor
- Jennifer Chieng: Boxer and mixed martial artist (MMA)
See also
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Habele, a South Carolina–based charitable organization providing private economic educational assistance in Yap
- History of the Federated States of Micronesia.
- Traditional Councils in the Yap State
References
- Petersen, G. (2000). Indigenous Island Empires: Yap and Tonga Considered. The Journal of Pacific History, 35(1), 8-9. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25169463.
- "Population Statistics – FSM Statistics". Archived from the original on 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
- "Yap Islands | archipelago, Micronesia | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- "The History of Yap Island from 1500 B.C. to Present". www.visityap.com. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- PacificWrecks.com. "Pacific Wrecks". pacificwrecks.com. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- "Yap Island". www.u-s-history.com. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- Kleiber, Eleanor. "Research Guides: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Archives: Introduction". guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- "Micronesia's constitution – 1975" (PDF).
- "Yap – Legal Information System of the Federated States of Micronesia". fsmlaw.org. Archived from the original on 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2021-05-29.
- "Yap, Federated States of Micronesia". Pacific Resources for Education and Learning. Archived from the original on 2006-10-14. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
- "Population Statistics – FSM Statistics". Archived from the original on 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2021-05-29.
- "International Religious Freedom Report for 2018" (PDF). US Department of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
- "Census 1987 with village population figures" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-27. Retrieved 2012-06-17.
- "2010 Census Basic Table – Yap". Archived from the original on 2021-09-12. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
- Includes Olimarao Atoll.
- Includes Gaferut Atoll/Fayo.
- Includes Piagailoe Atoll/West Fayu.
- "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Yap, Federated States of Micronesia". Weatherbase. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
- "Climatological Information for Yap, Pacific Islands, United States". Hong Kong Observatory. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
- McKinlay, Glenn (August 2019). "Federated States of Micronesia Fiscal Year 2018 Statistical Appendices" (PDF). The Pacific Islands Training Initiative (PITI-VITI). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-06-05. Retrieved 2022-06-04.
- "Labour Market Statistics detailed". . Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
- Lin, Daniel (15 August 2017). "This Pacific Island Is Caught in a Global Power Struggle (And It's Not Guam)". 'National Geographic'. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Bank of Guam". Archived from the original on 2022-02-17. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
- "FSM Development Bank". Archived from the original on 2022-02-05. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
- McClure, Joyce (2021-03-10). "The little island that could: Yap takes the lead in digital communications for FSM". pactimes. Archived from the original on 2021-06-06. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
- "Higher Education in the Federated States of Micronesia". Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia Washington DC. Archived from the original on 2017-10-14. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- "ABOUT YCHS". Yap Catholic High School. Archived from the original on 2018-06-20. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
External links
- The Official Government Website for the Island of Yap Archived 2022-02-04 at the Wayback Machine
- Federated States of Micronesia – Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae
- BBC
- Statistics on buildings, population; Source: Statistics Section, Office of Planning and Budget, Yap State
- United States of America and Japan – Treaty concerning the Yap Island and the other islands under mandate, situated in the Pacific North of the Equator and exchange of Notes relating thereto. Washington, 11 February 1922
- NOAA's National Weather Service – Yap, FSM
Yap State Yapese Wa ab or Waqab is one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia located in the westernmost portion of the country The state borders Palau to the southwest Guam to the north and Chuuk State to the east According to the state s population census carried out in 2020 the total population is 11 577 residing across a total area of 119 54 sq km 46 15 sq mi though a large majority of the area is water The only town area in the state Colonia serves as the state capital Yap State Nam nu Wa abStateFlagSealNickname The Island of Stone MoneyMap of Yap StateYap in the Federated States of MicronesiaCoordinates 9 31 N 138 07 E 9 52 N 138 12 E 9 52 138 12CountryFederated States of MicronesiaCapitalColoniaGovernment GovernorCharles ChiengArea Total119 54 km2 46 15 sq mi Population 2020 Total11 577 Density97 km2 250 sq mi DemonymYapeseTime zoneUTC 10Federated States of Micronesia FSM 96943ISO 3166 codeFM YAPWebsitewww wbr yapstate wbr gov wbr fm1886 Spanish nautical map shows Olimaraos Piagailoe West Fayu Pikelot Elato Lamotrek and Woleai islands What is now current day Yap State and some parts of Chuuk State were the historical Yapese Empire which at its peak controlled 1 300 km of the western Pacific comprising all the inhabited islands and atolls between Yap and Chuuk The rulers of the chiefdom of Gagil in Yap maintained sovereignty of these islands to the east and extracted resources and tribute maintaining close economic and political relationships with the different island groups After losing its influence and becoming incorporated territories of Spain the German Empire the Japanese Empire and the United States through the UN mandated Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands TTPI Yap and the islands and atolls between Yap and Chuuk formed Yap State upon the founding of the FSM According to the FSM Statistics Office the population of Colonia and the municipalities of Yap State was 11 577 in 2020 The state has a total land area of 102 km2 39 sq mi HistoryThe islands are thought to have been populated from the Malay Archipelago In approximately 950 AD it was the seat of the Yapese Empire contemporary to the Tu i Tonga Empire The outer islands now part of the Yap state were settled from Polynesia The island nation formerly used rai stones as currency Since this stone money had to be made from a rock that could not be extracted on the island its value derived from the dangers taken on expeditions to obtain it mainly from Palau The Portuguese were the first Westerners to visit the island in 1525 when the navigator Diogo da Rocha arrived in Ulithi and stayed there for four months The Caroline Islands were under Spanish rule from the 16th century under Johannes von Yaplett until the end of the 19th century Still most of the communities on the islands of the present state of Yap had little contact with Europeans and lived in complete independence In 1885 following a conflict between Spain and Germany the arbitration of Pope Leo XIII confirmed possession to Spain against commercial advantages for Germany On June 30 1899 after the Spanish American War Spain sold the Carolines the Palau Islands and the majority of the Marianas to the German Empire At the start of the First World War in 1914 the Empire of Japan occupied the area This occupation was formally recognized within the framework of the Mandate of the Pacific Islands created in 1919 by the League of Nations The Caroline Islands came under the control of the United States in 1944 which administered them as a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands under a UN mandate received in 1947 The state was once the Yap District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands On May 10 1979 Yap ratified the Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia and became an integral part of this new nation with official independence on November 3 1986 GeographyA detailed map of the Yap Main Islands The Yap Monarch the State Bird of Yap The bird is native exclusively to the Yapanese Main Islands Yap State is the westernmost state of the Micronesian Federation Further eastwards in order are the states of Chuuk Pohnpei and Kosrae It consists of the four main islands of Rumung Maap Gagil Tamil and Yap Proper Marbaa and 134 smaller islands southwest and east of Yap The state stretches from the Yap main islands towards the east to Chuuk for 1 200 to 1 500 kilometers 750 to 930 mi 650 to 810 nmi The Yapanese Main Islands are located approximately 800 kilometers 500 mi 430 nmi southwest of Guam 3 200 kilometers 2 000 mi 1 700 nmi from Tokyo 2 000 kilometers 1 200 mi 1 100 nmi from Manila and 8 000 kilometers 5 000 mi 4 300 nmi from Honolulu LanguagesYap State has five official languages English Ulithian Woleaian Satawalese and Yapese DemographicsAccording to the FSM Statistics Division the 2020 population of Yap State is 11 577 The state has the third largest population among the states in the FSM with Chuuk and Pohnpei leading in this order The population of the state consists mainly of the local Yapanese Ulithians Woleaians and Satawalese people however the state has been seeing a rise in the number of foreign citizens from countries such as the United States Japan Palau and the Philippines Religion According to the 2018 International Religious Freedom Report compiled by the United States Department of State an estimated 80 of the state population is Catholic and the remainder is Protestant Religious affiliation tends to follow clan lines A majority of foreign citizens in the FSM and the state is made up of Filipino Catholics MunicipalitiesFalalap Woleai Atoll Yap State is divided into 21 municipalities with each municipality having several village units incorporated through customs and historically set boundary lines Each municipality can be placed in one of five main island groupings Rumung Maap Gagil Tamil Marbaa and the Neighboring Islands The first four groupings are part of Yap Proper These municipalities are listed with their populations at the 2010 Census Municipalities Population 2010 Census Yap Main Islands 7 371 Neighboring Islands 4 006 Rumung Maap Gagil Tamil Marbaa Rumung 58 Maap 621 Gagil 863 Fanif 509 Eauripik 114 Tamil 1 231 Weloy 1 031 Elato 105 Dalipebinaw 397 Fais 294 Kanifay 314 Faraulep 193 Rull 2 095 Ifalik 578 Gilman 252 Lamotrek 329 Ngulu 6 Satawal 501 Sorol 0 Ulithi 847 Woleai 1 039 Not included Pikelot Politics and governmentYap State is one of the four federal states of the Federated States of Micronesia As a democratic federation each state can retain a large amount of power within the state as well as a certain level of sovereignty typical of federal states As such the State adheres to the FSM National and Yap State constitutions to develop policies and regulations The State Government is unique because it consists of four government branches each serving a specific function for policymaking The Executive Branch consists of the Governor as well as the Lieutenant Governor along with the members of the government departments affiliated with the branch The Executive Branch is responsible for executing laws and administering government services The Yap State Legislature makes up the Legislative Branch responsible for creating debating and passing bills for the Executive Branch to approve into law and enforce The Yap State Court makes up the Judicial Branch responsible for ensuring laws passed do not violate the state and national constitutions The unique traditional branch vests its power into two groups of Yapanese chiefs The group of Yap Main Island chiefs is known as the Council of Pilung and the group of Yapanese outer island chiefs is known as the Council of Tamol The two councils make sure whether proposed bills do not violate local traditional customs and regulate cultural issues Information about some state government leaders and administrative staff is included below Legislative Branch Legislature of Yap State Roles Responsibilities IndividualSpeaker of the Legislature Hon Nicholas FigirlaarwonVice Speaker Hon Theodore Ted RutunFloor Leader Hon Terrence FongChairman Committee on Finance Hon Pius TelimeseiVice Chairman Committee on Finance Hon Anne Marie LaamarChairman Committee on Health and Welfare Hon Victor BamogVice Chairman Committee on Health and Welfare Hon Gabriel RamoloilugChairman Committee on Resources Education and Development Hon John A MafelVice Chairman Committee on Resources Education and Development Hon Liyon SulogOther Members Hon John MasiwemaiChief Clerk Dee N LibianAssistant Chief Clerk Ben ChosmalBudget Officer Noimilynn N F PigaoAdministrative Secretary Theresa KitinLegislative Counsel Genevieve M MangefelAssistant Legislative Counsel VacantA bridge in Yap Island in 1932 during the Japanese Administration of the islands Executive Branch Roles Responsibilities IndividualGovernor Hon Charles S ChiengLieutenant Governor Hon Francis ItimaiActing Attorney General Quintina LetawerpiyActing Chief Division of Public Safety Zachary GamowDirector Administrative Services Thomas Gilwuyoch TunDirector Planning and Budget Julius Liyon TunDirector Youth and Civic Affairs Alex GilfileyDirector Department of Resources amp Development Bernard GorongDirector Department of Public Works amp Transportation Joe GiltugDirector Department of Health Services Theo ThinnifelDirector Department of Education Dominic Fanasog Commissioner Yap State Election Office VACANTJudicial Branch Yap State Court Roles Responsibilities IndividualChief Justice Hon Cyprian ManmawAssociate Justice Hon Jesse TorwanHon Jonathan M TunYap State Court Counsel Seema Shaw Esq Clerk of Court Julianne GileyCourt Administrator Achilles DefnginYapese dancers in traditional dress celebrating Yap Day through a men s standing dance Traditional Leaders Council of Pilung Council of Tamol Roles Responsibilities IndividualChairman Council of Pilung Hon Thomas FalnginChairman Council of Tamol Hon Paul MarlulSelect Government Agencies Organisations Roles Responsibilities IndividualPublic Defender VACANT MLSC Dir Attorney John T Mootmag Esq Acting Director Yap Environmental Protection Agency Jordan MautamanDirector Yap Community Action Program Sabino SauchomalDirector Yap Investment Trust Patricia D MoonfelDirector Yap Fishing Authority Timothy IgemaiDirector Yap State Public Service Corporation Victor NabeyanDirector Yap State Public Library Erica RuepinDirector Yap Visitors Authority Susan GooliyanDirector Yap Sports Council Office Lawrence UwelurClimateClimate data for YapMonth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec YearRecord high C F 33 91 34 93 34 93 35 95 35 95 34 94 34 93 36 96 34 94 34 94 34 94 36 96 36 96 Mean daily maximum C F 30 1 86 2 30 2 86 4 31 1 88 0 31 2 88 2 30 9 87 6 30 7 87 3 30 6 87 1 30 8 87 4 30 9 87 6 30 9 87 6 30 4 86 7 30 7 87 3 30 7 87 3 Daily mean C F 26 8 80 2 26 9 80 4 27 5 81 5 27 6 81 7 27 3 81 1 27 1 80 8 27 1 80 8 27 1 80 8 27 2 81 0 27 3 81 1 27 1 80 8 27 2 81 0 27 2 81 0 Mean daily minimum C F 23 5 74 3 23 5 74 3 24 0 75 2 24 1 75 4 23 8 74 8 23 6 74 5 23 4 74 1 23 4 74 1 23 5 74 3 23 7 74 7 23 8 74 8 23 7 74 7 23 7 74 7 Record low C F 19 67 19 66 19 66 19 67 18 65 19 66 18 65 19 66 19 66 17 63 18 65 17 63 17 63 Average precipitation mm inches 186 7 33 152 5 98 151 5 96 146 5 76 230 9 06 322 12 69 369 14 54 386 15 20 343 13 51 304 11 97 230 9 07 228 8 99 3 050 120 06 Average precipitation days 1 0 mm 16 8 13 4 13 7 12 6 17 1 20 2 21 2 20 9 19 3 20 1 18 7 17 6 211 6Average relative humidity 82 81 80 79 81 83 84 84 84 84 83 83 82Mean monthly sunshine hours 210 8 211 9 251 1 255 0 244 9 201 0 189 1 176 7 180 0 170 5 192 0 198 4 2 481 4Source 1 WeatherbaseSource 2 Hong Kong Observatory sun precipitation 1961 1990 EconomyUS patrol vessels in Tamil Harbor Yap Island Traditional meeting house on Yap The GDP per capita in 2018 was US 4 510 while the total GDP in 2018 was US 52 million According to the 2010 Labor Market Statistics data compiled by the FSM Statistics Office 67 of the total state population is in the labor force the highest percentage of people in the labor force in the entire nation Most of those in the labor force are in formal work while the rest are in home production including subsistence Yap has a relatively small tourism industry with the Yap Visitors Bureau reporting only 4 000 annual visitors from 2010 to 2017 China s Exhibition amp Travel Group has announced plans to develop a 4 000 unit resort on the island Businesses that contribute to the state s tourism share of state GDP are Manta Ray Resort and Spa ESA and Yap Pacific Dive Resort The largest retail businesses in the State are Yap Cooperative Association YCA General Store Guang Mao Enterprises Yap Savemore Enterprises and EMI Enterprises These businesses contribute primarily to the State s retail and wholesale sectors The State also has a small but essential financial sector that supports the population s investment and capital needs local small and medium enterprises SMEs the government and state institutions and the academic sector It has five financial services institutions the Bank of Guam BOG the Bank of the Federated States of Micronesia BFSM Community Ayuw Services Credit Union Western Union and the FSM Development Bank The State is now expected to be one of the fastest growing economies in the country as technological innovation is highly encouraged Although the FSM communications industry is largely monopolized by the state operated FSM Telecommunications Corporation based in Pohnpei Yap saw the rise of the tech startup company iBoom when the company is expected to utilise the National Government s Digital FSM Project 2017 grant funding from the World Bank to connect each home work office etc iBoom is expected to challenge previous monopoly of the FSM Telecom Corporation through competitive pricing and services TransportationYap International Airport Yap International Airport receives service from United Airlines as well as Pacific Mission Aviation The state also has a small dockyard colloquially known as Gampek in Colonia just south of Tamil Harbor that services maritime vessels for inter state and cross border transport and freight EducationPost secondary institutions College of Micronesia FSM Yap Campus in Rull FSM Fisheries and Maritime Institute in Gagil State secondary schools Yap High School in Colonia in Woleai Outer Islands High School in Ulithi Private Secondary and Elementary Schools Yap Catholic High School in Lamer village Rull Saint Mary s School in Colonia Yap Seventh Day Adventist School in Tamil Faith Christian Academy in Makiy Gagil Yap International Christian School in Gaanelay RullNotable peopleJohn Mangefel FSM Founding Father First State Governor Petrus Tun FSM Founding Father first FSM Vice President Second State Governor Jennifer Chieng Boxer and mixed martial artist MMA See alsoFederated States of Micronesia Habele a South Carolina based charitable organization providing private economic educational assistance in Yap History of the Federated States of Micronesia Traditional Councils in the Yap StateReferencesPetersen G 2000 Indigenous Island Empires Yap and Tonga Considered The Journal of Pacific History 35 1 8 9 http www jstor org stable 25169463 Population Statistics FSM Statistics Archived from the original on 2021 04 21 Retrieved 2021 06 06 Yap Islands archipelago Micronesia Britannica www britannica com Retrieved 2023 03 01 The History of Yap Island from 1500 B C to Present www visityap com 17 November 2014 Retrieved 2023 03 01 PacificWrecks com Pacific Wrecks pacificwrecks com Retrieved 2023 03 01 Yap Island www u s history com Retrieved 2023 03 01 Kleiber Eleanor Research Guides Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Archives Introduction guides library manoa hawaii edu Retrieved 2023 03 01 Micronesia s constitution 1975 PDF Yap Legal Information System of the Federated States of Micronesia fsmlaw org Archived from the original on 2021 04 21 Retrieved 2021 05 29 Yap Federated States of Micronesia Pacific Resources for Education and Learning Archived from the original on 2006 10 14 Retrieved 2006 10 24 Population Statistics FSM Statistics Archived from the original on 2021 04 21 Retrieved 2021 05 29 International Religious Freedom Report for 2018 PDF US Department of State Archived PDF from the original on 22 March 2021 Retrieved 7 June 2021 Census 1987 with village population figures PDF Archived PDF from the original on 2016 03 27 Retrieved 2012 06 17 2010 Census Basic Table Yap Archived from the original on 2021 09 12 Retrieved 2022 03 01 Includes Olimarao Atoll Includes Gaferut Atoll Fayo Includes Piagailoe Atoll West Fayu Weatherbase Historical Weather for Yap Federated States of Micronesia Weatherbase Archived from the original on 6 November 2018 Retrieved 13 December 2012 Climatological Information for Yap Pacific Islands United States Hong Kong Observatory Archived from the original on 3 March 2016 Retrieved 13 December 2012 McKinlay Glenn August 2019 Federated States of Micronesia Fiscal Year 2018 Statistical Appendices PDF The Pacific Islands Training Initiative PITI VITI Archived PDF from the original on 2022 06 05 Retrieved 2022 06 04 Labour Market Statistics detailed Archived from the original on 26 April 2021 Retrieved 6 June 2021 Lin Daniel 15 August 2017 This Pacific Island Is Caught in a Global Power Struggle And It s Not Guam National Geographic Archived from the original on 20 June 2018 Retrieved 16 September 2019 Bank of Guam Archived from the original on 2022 02 17 Retrieved 2022 03 01 FSM Development Bank Archived from the original on 2022 02 05 Retrieved 2022 03 01 McClure Joyce 2021 03 10 The little island that could Yap takes the lead in digital communications for FSM pactimes Archived from the original on 2021 06 06 Retrieved 2021 06 06 Higher Education in the Federated States of Micronesia Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia Washington DC Archived from the original on 2017 10 14 Retrieved 23 February 2018 ABOUT YCHS Yap Catholic High School Archived from the original on 2018 06 20 Retrieved 22 February 2018 External linksWikimedia Commons has media related to Yap The Official Government Website for the Island of Yap Archived 2022 02 04 at the Wayback Machine Federated States of Micronesia Yap Chuuk Pohnpei Kosrae BBC Statistics on buildings population Source Statistics Section Office of Planning and Budget Yap State United States of America and Japan Treaty concerning the Yap Island and the other islands under mandate situated in the Pacific North of the Equator and exchange of Notes relating thereto Washington 11 February 1922 NOAA s National Weather Service Yap FSM
