US territory). Japanese sovereignty lasted from 1914 to 1945. United States administration Pohnpei, when it was a district of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, initially contained the island of Kosrae, which was a municipality of the district but in 1977 became a separate district. During World War II the islands were bypassed in the American amphibious campaigns between 1943 and 1945. Military installations were bombed on several occasions, including the USS Massachusetts (BB-59) and USS Iowa (BB-61) battle ship bombings, as well as the Cowpens air strike (CVL-25). At the end of the war, the Carolinas became part of the Pacific Islands Trust Territory. The Federated States of Micronesia gained full independence in 1985. Since then, Pohnpei has been a sheltered tropical port under indirect U.S. control. Geography The state of Pohnpei is located in the Pacific Ocean near the eastern end of the Caroline Islands. It is approximately midway between Honolulu and Manila. The land area of Pohnpei state is about . Pohnpei's outer islands are low islands, and include Pingelap, Mokil, Ant, Pakin, Ngatik, Nukuoro, Oroluk, and Kapingamarangi; also included is the largely submerged Minto Reef. With the exception of coastal plains, talus slopes and alluvial fans, most of Pohnpei Island, a high island, is ruggedly mountainous, lush and verdant, with the highest peak at . Its rainforest is dense and rich; extensive mangrove swamps line much of the low shore. The island is roughly circular in outline, its coast surrounded by coral reef. Municipalities These are listed with their populations at the 2010 Census: Pohnpei Proper (34,789) Madolenihmw (5,767) Nett (6,639) Sokehs (6,647) Kitti (6,470) Kolonia (6,074) U (3,192) Outer islands (1,407) Mwoakilloa (or Mokil) (183) Pingelap (258) Sapwuahfik (formerly Ngatik) (456) Nukuoro (210) Kapingamarangi (350) Oroluk (no population) since 1985 part of Sokehs Municipality) Politics and government The State of Pohnpei is one of the four federal states of the Federated States of Micronesia. As a democratic federation, each state has the ability to retain large number of power within the state as well as a certain level of sovereignty typical of federal states. The chief executive of Pohnpei is the governor. Pohnpei has a unicameral legislature. Education Pohnpei State Department of Education operates public schools. Public high schools: Kitti High School Madolenihmw High School Bailey Olter High School (former Pohnpei Island Central School) in Kolonia Private schools: Calvary Christian Academy in Kolonia Ohwa