Chuuk Lagoon | |
---|---|
Atoll | |
Coordinates: 07°24′54″N 151°44′06″E / 7.41500°N 151.73500°E | |
Country | Federated States of Micronesia |
State | Chuuk State |
Capital | Weno |
Government | |
• Governor | Alexander R. Narruhn (since 2021) |
Area | |
• Total | 93.07 km2 (35.93 sq mi) |
Elevation | 443 m (1,453 ft) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 36,158 |
• Density | 390/km2 (1,000/sq mi) |
Chuuk Lagoon, previously Truk Atoll, is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean. It lies about 1,800 kilometres (970 nautical miles) northeast of New Guinea and is part of Chuuk State within the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). A protective reef, 225 kilometres (140 mi) around, encloses a natural harbour 79 by 50 km (43 nmi × 27 nmi), with an area of 2,130 km2 (820 sq mi).[1] It has a land area of 93.07 square kilometres (35.93 square miles), with a population of 36,158 people[2] and a maximal elevation of 443 metres (1,453 ft). Weno city on Weno (formerly Moen) Island functions as both the atoll's capital and the state capital, and is the largest city in the FSM with its 13,700 people.
Chuuk Lagoon was the Empire of Japan's main naval base in the South Pacific theatre during World War II. It was the site of a major U.S. attack during Operation Hailstone in February 1944, and Operation Inmate, a small assault conducted by British and Canadian forces during June 1945.