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Sonsorol is one of the sixteen states of Palau. The inhabitants speak Sonsorolese, a local Chuukic language, and Palauan.

Sonsorol
State
Merir Island, Sonsorol State
Flag
Location of Sonsorol in Palau
Country	Palau
Capital	Dongosaru
Area
• Total	3.12 km2 (1.20 sq mi)
• Land	3.12 km2 (1.20 sq mi)
• Water	0 km2 (0 sq mi)
Population  (2015 Census)
• Total	40
• Density	13/km2 (33/sq mi)
• Official languages	Palauan English Sonsorolese
ISO 3166 code	PW-370

The islands of the state of Sonsorol, together with the islands of Hatohobei, form the Southwest Islands of Palau.

History

The first sighting by Europeans of the Sonsorols, was that of Sonsorol and Fanna by the Spanish ship Trinidad then commanded by Gonzalo Gómez de Espinosa on 6 May 1522.[1][2] These two were collectively charted as San Juan islands (St.John) as they were sighted on the day of its festivity. A Spanish missionary expedition commanded by Sargento Mayor Francisco Padilla arrived to Sonsorol on 30 November 1710, coming from Manila on board of patache Santísima Trinidad. In 1712 they were explored by an expedition commanded by Spanish naval officer Bernardo de Egoy.[3]

In 1899 Spain decided to sell the islands to Germany, which lost control over the territory in World War I, when Japan took over. The United States took possession of the area at the end of the World War II until Palau's independence.

During December 2012, the state suffered severely from Typhoon Bopha and people were evacuated to Akebesang in Koror. There were 37 people from Sonsorol, 19 from Pulo Anna and 2 from Merir. A couple of months later, and due to government decision, only Sonsorol was re-inhabited (cheaper and closer to get to and send supplies). 42 people have returned to the island, and it is the only inhabited island in the state (as of 2014).

Geography

The administrative center, and only village, is Dongosaru on Sonsorol island. The state has a total area of 312 hectares distributed among several islands.

Islands

The state is subdivided into four municipalities, which correspond to the four individual islands, that were previously inhabited. The islands are, from north to south (Fanna Island and Sonsorol Island are together called Sonsorol Islands):

No.	Municipality (Island)	Village (or Former)	Area (km²)	Population census 2015	Coordinates
1	Fanna	-	0.48	0	05°21′09″N 132°13′32″E
2	Sonsorol	Dongosaru	1.31	40	05°19′28″N 132°13′16″E
3	Pulo Anna		0.42	0	04°39′34″N 131°57′49″E
4	Merir		0.91	0	04°19′27″N 132°18′37″E
	State of Sonsorol	Dongosaru	3.12	40

Fanna

Fanna, also called Fana, is encircled by a coral reef extending 160 to 480 m offshore, and nearly circular in shape, with a diameter of 350 m. The island is thickly wooded with coconut palms and other trees. The island is referenced as a municipality. Mariano Carlos was serving as chief from 2000 until the Typhoon Bopha evacuation. Fanna Island and nearby Sonsorol Island 1.6 km further south together form the Sonsorol Islands.

Sonsorol

Sonsorol Island, also called Dongosaro or Dongosaru, is encircled by a coral reef extending 160 to 480 m offshore. It is 2 km long north south, and up to 890 m wide in the north. It is located 1.6 km south of Fanna Island. The village of Dongosaro, which is the capital of the state, is located on the west coast. The island is thickly wooded with coconut palms and other trees. Together with Fanna, it forms the Sonsorol Islands.

Sonsorol was probably the first of Palau islands visited by a European - the Jesuit expedition of Francisco Padilla on 30 November 1710. A year after Typhoon Bopha, Palau government issued a reconstruction plan to this island, and also built a small dock.

Pulo Anna

Pulo Anna or Puro is fringed by a coral reef extending beyond 460 m offshore. The island itself is about elliptical and measures 800 meters northeast-southwest, and is up to 550 meters wide. A village named Puro was once on the northwest side of the island. Pulo Anna lies in the flow of the Equatorial Countercurrent throughout the year.

Merir

Merir Island, or Melieli, is fringed by reef which extends beyond 1100 m offshore in the south and 160 m in the north. The edges of the reef are steep-to, except at the northern end where a spit, with a depth of 12.8 meters at its outer end, extends about 1300 meters northward. The island itself is 2.200 meters north south, and up to 600 meters wide. A village named Melieli, which had a radio station, was located on the northwest side of the island.

Demography

The population of the state was 40 in the 2015 census and median age was 30.0 years.[4] The official languages of the state are Palauan, English and Sonsorolese.[5] Nurap is the title of the traditional high chief from the state.[6]

Political system

The state of Sonsorol, with population of less than 50, has an elected chief executive, governor. The state also has a legislature elected every four years.[7] The state population elects one of the members of the House of Delegates of Palau.

Education

The Ministry of Education operates two public schools in the state:

• Pulo Anna Elementary School - Built in 1972, it has one classroom and one teacher, with facilities for its students (five, as of September 2018) to stay on the otherwise deserted island[8]
• Sonsorol Elementary School - Established in 1972, it has one classroom and one teacher, to serve the students (thirteen, as of September 2018) who already live on the island[9]

In 1962, the country opened its only public high school, Palau High School in Koror City, which is 300 kilometres (190 mi) across the water from Sonsorol; children from Sonsorol state make arrangements to live in Koror City if they choose to continue their grade school education.[10]

References

External links

• Sonsorol Island
• Municipalities with Chiefs mentioned
• Satellite views
• Sailing Directions
• Atoll Research Bulletin 267
• Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Palau to the UK &NI
• Constitution of the State of Sonsorol

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