View source for Sonsorol

{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Sonsorol
| native_name             =
| native_name_lang        = <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| settlement_type         = [[States of Palau|State]]
| image_skyline           = Merir AKK West Coast Beach.jpg
| image_alt               =
| image_caption           = Merir Island, Sonsorol State
| image_flag              = Flag of Sonsorol.svg
| flag_alt                = Flag of Sonsorol
| image_seal              =
| seal_alt                =
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| motto                   =
| image_map               = Sonsorol in Palau.svg
| map_alt                 =
| map_caption             = Location of Sonsorol in Palau
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| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = {{flag|Palau}}
| subdivision_type1       =
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| subdivision_name2       =
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| established_title       =
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| founder                 =
| seat_type               = Capital
| seat                    = [[Dongosaru]]
| government_footnotes    =
| governing_body     = Sonsorol State Legislature
| leader_title       = [[Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[Lucy Pedro]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reklai |first1=Leilani |title=Sonsorol Election Results: Pedro leads Governor Race, Write-In Tops Lt. Governor |url=https://islandtimes.org/sonsorol-election-results-pedro-leads-governor-race-write-in-tops-lt-governor/ |website=Island Times |date=8 March 2024}}</ref>
| unit_pref               = Metric
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| area_total_km2          = 3.12
| area_land_km2           = 3.12
| area_water_km2          = 0
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| population_total        = 40
| population_as_of        = 2015 Census
| population_density_km2  = auto
| population_demonym      =
| population_note         =
| population_blank1_title = Official languages
| population_blank1       = [[Palauan language|Palauan]]<br>[[English language|English]]<br>[[Sonsorolese language|Sonsorolese]]
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| iso_code                = PW-370
| website                 = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
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}}
'''Sonsorol'''  is one of the sixteen states of [[Palau]].  The inhabitants speak [[Sonsorolese language|Sonsorolese]], a local [[Chuukic languages|Chuukic]] language, and [[Palauan language|Palauan]].
The islands of the state of Sonsorol, together with the islands of [[Hatohobei]], form the [[Southwest Islands (Palau)|Southwest Islands]] of Palau. By area and population it is the country’s third smallest state (after Hatohobei and Kayangel.)
==History==
The first sighting by Europeans of the Sonsorols, was that of Sonsorol and Fanna by the Spanish ship [[Trinidad (ship)|''Trinidad'']] then commanded by Gonzalo Gómez de Espinosa on 6 May 1522.<ref>Brand, Donald D. ''The Pacific Basin: A History of its Geographical Explorations'' The American Geographical Society, New York, 1967, p.119.</ref><ref>Sharp, Andrew ''The discovery of the Pacific Islands'' Oxford, 1960, p.10.</ref> These two were collectively charted as the ''San Juan'' (St. John) Islands as they were sighted on the day of its festivity. A Spanish missionary expedition commanded by [[Sargento Mayor]] [[Francisco Padilla]] arrived on Sonsorol on 30 November 1710, coming from [[Manila]] aboard the [[patache]] ''Santísima Trinidad''. In 1712 they were explored by an expedition commanded by Spanish naval officer Bernardo de Egoy.<ref>Coello, Francisco "Conflicto hispano-alemán" ''Boletín de Sociedad Geográfica de Madrid'', t.XIX. 2º semestre 1885, Madrid, p.247</ref>
In 1899 [[Spain]] decided to sell the islands to the [[German Empire]], 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 [[World War II]] and controlled it until Palau's independence.
During December 2012, the state suffered severely from [[Typhoon Bopha]] and people were evacuated to Arakabesang in [[Koror]]. There were 37 people from Sonsorol, 19 from Pulo Anna, and two from Merir. A couple of months later, and due to a government decision, only Sonsorol was re-inhabited, as it cheaper and closer to get to and send supplies to. Forty-two people 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 {{convert|312|ha|0}} distributed among several islands.
===Islands===
The state is subdivided into four [[Municipality|municipalities]], which correspond to the four individual islands that previously were inhabited. The islands are, from north to south (Fanna Island and Sonsorol Island are together called Sonsorol Islands):
{| class="wikitable"
! No. || Municipality<br>(Island) || Village (or Former) || Area || Population<br>census 2015|| Coordinates
|-
| align="right" | 1 || Fanna || - || align="right" |  {{convert|0.48|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} || align="right" | 0 || {{coord|05|21|09|N|132|13|32|E|}}
|-
| align="right" | 2 || Sonsorol || [[Dongosaru]] || align="right" |  {{convert|1.31|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} || align="right" | 40||  {{coord|05|19|28|N|132|13|16|E|}}
|-
| align="right" | 3 || Pulo Anna || || align="right" |  {{convert|0.42|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} || align="right" | 0||  {{coord|04|39|34|N|131|57|49|E|}}
|-
| align="right" | 4 || [[Merir]] || || align="right" |  {{convert|0.91|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} || align="right" | 0|| {{coord|04|19|27|N|132|18|37|E|}}
|- style="background: #DDDDDD;"
| || State of Sonsorol || [[Dongosaru]] || align="right" |  {{convert|3.12|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} || align="right" | 40|| &nbsp;
|}
==== Fanna ====
[[Image:Fanna AKK Pisonia Forest.jpg|thumb|right|241px|Fanna Island]]
Fanna, also called '''Fana''', is encircled by a [[coral reef]] extending {{convert|160|to|480|m}} offshore, and nearly circular in shape, with a diameter of {{convert|350|m}}. The island is thickly wooded with [[coconut palm]]s and other trees. The island is referenced as a [[municipality]]. Mariano Carlos served as chief from 2000 until the [[Typhoon Bopha]] evacuation. Fanna Island and nearby Sonsorol Island, located {{convert|1.6|km|mi nmi}} to the south, together form the Sonsorol Islands.
==== Sonsorol ====
[[File:Dongosaro AKK West Coast.jpg|thumb|right|Sonsorol Island]]
Sonsorol Island, also called '''Dongosaro''' or '''Dongosaru''', is encircled by a coral reef extending {{convert|160|to|480|m}} offshore. It is {{convert|2|km}} long north-to-south, and up to {{convert|890|m}} wide in the north. It is located {{convert|1.6|km|mi nmi}} south of Fanna Island. The village of Dongosaro, which is the [[Capital (political)|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 [[White people|European]] - the [[Jesuit]] expedition of [[Francisco Padilla]] on 30 November 1710. A year after [[Typhoon Bopha]], the Palau government issued a reconstruction plan for the island, and also built a small dock there.
==== Pulo Anna ====
[[File:Txu-pclmaps-oclc-22834566 l-12b.jpg|thumb|left|Map including Pulo Anna ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1982)]]
Pulo Anna or '''Puro''' is fringed by a coral reef extending beyond {{convert|460|m}} offshore. The island itself is about elliptical and measures {{convert|800|m}} northeast-southwest, and is up to {{convert|550|m}} 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===
[[File:Merir.png|thumb|Satellite view of the Island of Merir]]
Merir Island, or '''Melieli''', is fringed by reef which extends beyond {{convert|1,100|m}} offshore in the south and {{convert|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 {{convert|12.8|m}} at its outer end, extends about {{convert|1,300|m}} northward. The island itself is {{convert|2.2|km}} long north-to-south, and up to {{convert|600|m}} 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 the median age was 30.0 years.<ref>{{cite web |title=2015 Census of Population, Housing and Agriculture for the Republic of Palau |url=https://www.palaugov.pw/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2015-Census-of-Population-Housing-Agriculture-.pdf |website=Palau Government |publisher=Office of Planning and Statistics}}</ref> The official languages of the state are [[Palauan language|Palauan]], [[English language|English]], and [[Sonsorolese language|Sonsorolese]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Leonard |first1=Thomas M. |title=Encyclopedia of the Developing World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=08OV704armMC |publisher=Taylor & Francis |language=en |date=2006|isbn=9780415976640 }}</ref> Nurap is the title of the traditional high chief from the state.<ref>{{cite web |title=Council of Chiefs – PalauGov.pw |url=https://www.palaugov.pw/executive-branch/council-of-chiefs/}}</ref>
In June 1972, the resident population was 123, including 17 in Pulo Anna.<ref>{{cite book |title=Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cPZNAQAAIAAJ |publisher=Bureau of International Organization Affairs, Office of United Nations Political Affairs |language=en |date=1972}}</ref>
==Political system==
Sonsorol has its own constitution, adopted in 1983.<ref>{{cite web |title=Constitution of the State of Sonsorol: October 10, 1983 (Palau [pw]) |url=https://oxcon.ouplaw.com/display/10.1093/law:ocw/law-ocw-cd859.regGroup.1/law-ocw-cd859?rskey=oEuD3a&result=13&prd=OXCON |website=Oxford Constitutions |language=en |doi=10.1093/law:ocw/law-ocw-cd859.reggroup.1/law-ocw-cd859?rskey=oeud3a&result=13&prd=oxcon| doi-broken-date=2024-11-07 }}</ref> The state government was established in 1984. 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.<ref>{{cite web|date=5 November 2020|title=State/National Election Schedule|url=https://palauelection.org/election-dates/|website=Palau Election Commission|language=en}}</ref> The state population elects one of the members of the [[House of Delegates of Palau]].
Governors of Sonsorol from 1984 to 2004:<ref>{{cite web |title=History – Sonsorol island |url=https://www.sonsorol.com/history/ |website=www.sonsorol.com/}}</ref>
*[[Flavian Carlos]], 1984-1992
*[[Kurterbis Kurtermalei]], 1992-2000
*[[Laura I. Ierago]], 2000-2004
[[File:Pulo Anna AKK Shoreline.jpg|300px|thumb|Pulo Anna Shoreline]]
== Education==
The [[Ministry of Education (Palau)|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<ref>{{cite web |title=Pulo Anna Elementary School |url=http://www.palaumoe.net/puloanna/ |date=2018-09-21 |url-status=dead |work=Ministry of Education, Republic of Palau |location=[[Koror City]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209183529/http://www.palaumoe.net/puloanna/ |archivedate=2018-12-09 |access-date=2020-03-29}}</ref>
* 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<ref>{{cite web |title=Sonsorol Elementary School |url=http://www.palaumoe.net/sonsorol/ |date=2018-09-21 |url-status=dead |work=Ministry of Education, Republic of Palau |location=[[Koror City]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209183614/http://www.palaumoe.net/sonsorol/ |archivedate=2018-12-09 |access-date=2020-03-29}}</ref>
In 1962, the country opened its only public high school, [[Palau High School]] in [[Koror City]], which is {{convert|300|km|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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Palau High School |url=http://www.palaumoe.net/phs/ |date=2016 |url-status=dead |work=Ministry of Education, Republic of Palau |location=[[Koror City]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124210822/http://www.palaumoe.net/phs/ |archivedate=2018-11-24 |access-date=2020-03-29}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.sonsorol.com/ Sonsorol Island]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023108/http://www.sonsorol.com/history/index_eng.htm Municipalities with Chiefs mentioned]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070311045822/http://www.satelliteviews.net/cgi-bin/w.cgi?c=ps&UF=-3738292&UN=-5116154&DG=ADMD Satellite views]
*[http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/websites/pollux/pollux.nss.nima.mil/NAV_PUBS/SD/pub126/126sec10.pdf Sailing Directions]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060913105005/http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/arb/260-272/267.pdf Atoll Research Bulletin 267]
*[http://palauconsulate.org.uk/ Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Palau to the UK &NI]
*[http://www.pacificdigitallibrary.org/cgi-bin/pdl?e=d-000off-pdl--00-2--0--010-TE--4-------0-1l--10en-50---20-text-Japanese--00-3-1-00bySR-0-0-000utfZz-8-00&a=d&c=pdl&cl=CL1.3&d=HASH01ca32304620aa96578597be Constitution of the State of Sonsorol]
{{States of Palau}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Sonsorol| ]]
[[Category:States of Palau]]
[[Category:Islands of Palau]]