Caroline Islands

Scattered archipelago in Micronesia, Pacific Ocean, consisting of over 500 coral islets; area 1,200 sq km/463 sq mi. The chief islands are Ponape, Kusai, and Truk in the eastern group, and Yap and Palau in the western group. Products include coconuts, cassava, copra, sugar cane, and fish, especially bonito.

The Caroline Islands are well watered and agriculturally productive. Occupied by Germany in 1899, Japan in 1914, and mandated by the League of Nations to Japan in 1919, when they were fortified, contrary to the terms of the mandate. They remained in Japanese hands throughout World War II despite heavy Allied air attacks, and then became part of the US Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 1947–90. In 1990 the Islands were divided into two newly-independent political units: the Federated States of Micronesia to the east and the Republic of Palau to the west.