Jaluit Atoll
Encyclopedia
Jaluit Atoll is a large coral atoll of 91 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ralik Chain
of the Marshall Islands
. Its total land area is only 11.34 square kilometres (4.4 sq mi), but it encloses a lagoon with an area of 690 square kilometres (266.4 sq mi). Most of the land area is on largest islet of Jaluit (10.4 km²). Jaluit is located approximately 220 kilometres (136.7 mi) southwest of Majuro
. Jaluit Atoll is a designated conservation area and Ramsar
Wetland.
, the population of the islands of Jaluit Atoll was 1,669.
of the Empire of Japan
, and was the seat of the Japanese administration over the Marshall Islands. Immigrants from mainland Japan numbered several hundred by the 1930s. During World War II the island's Japanese garrison
consisted of 1,584 men of the IJN
and 727 men of the IJA
. The island was bombed on five occasions in November and December 1943 by B-24 Liberator
bombers of the USAAF 7th Air Force. Following the end of World War II, Jaluit came under the control of the United States as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
until the independence of the Marshall Islands in 1986.
.
The islet of Jabor has the largest population center on Jaluit Atoll, with a population of approximately 1,200. The island features a small hotel, several small stores that sell staple foods, and a gasoline station. Jabor is also a base for commercial and sports fishing, where motor boats can be rented . Snorkeling spots are around the sunken dock by the airport and in the northern pass into the lagoon.
Imiej is an islet a 45 minute boat ride from Jabor. It used to be the headquarters for the Imperial Japanese Navy
garrison and was a major seaplane base. The ruins of the power station, barracks, anti-aircraft guns and a Shinto shrine remain.
, ailinglaplap
, Namu
, Kili
, Namdrik
and Jabat
.
Ralik Chain
The Ralik Chain is a chain of islands within the island nation of the Marshall Islands. Ralik means "sunset". It lies just to the west of the country's other island chain, the Ratak Chain...
of the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
. Its total land area is only 11.34 square kilometres (4.4 sq mi), but it encloses a lagoon with an area of 690 square kilometres (266.4 sq mi). Most of the land area is on largest islet of Jaluit (10.4 km²). Jaluit is located approximately 220 kilometres (136.7 mi) southwest of Majuro
Majuro
Majuro , is a large coral atoll of 64 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ratak Chain of the Marshall Islands. The atoll itself has a land area of and encloses a lagoon of...
. Jaluit Atoll is a designated conservation area and Ramsar
Ramsar
Ramsar is a city in and the capital of Ramsar County, Mazandaran Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 31,659, in 9,421 families....
Wetland.
, the population of the islands of Jaluit Atoll was 1,669.
History
Jaluit Atoll was claimed by the Empire of Germany along with the rest of the Marshall Islands in 1884, and the Germans established a trading outpost. After World War I, the island came under the South Pacific MandateSouth Pacific Mandate
The was the Japanese League of Nations mandate consisting of several groups of islands in the Pacific Ocean which came under the administration of Japan after the defeat of the German Empire in World War I.-Early history:Under the terms of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, after the start of World...
of the Empire of Japan
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
, and was the seat of the Japanese administration over the Marshall Islands. Immigrants from mainland Japan numbered several hundred by the 1930s. During World War II the island's Japanese garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
consisted of 1,584 men of the IJN
IJN
The abbreviation IJN may refer to:* International Justice Network or IJNetwork, a Human Rights Organization* Imperial Japanese Navy, the navy of Japan from 1868 until it was dissolved in 1947* Institut Jean Nicod, a French interdisciplinary research center...
and 727 men of the IJA
IJA
IJA can refer to:* Imperial Japanese Army* International Jugglers' Association* International Jousting Association* Instituto Justo Arosemena* The Internet Journal of Anesthesiology* International Judges Association* Empress Ija...
. The island was bombed on five occasions in November and December 1943 by B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
bombers of the USAAF 7th Air Force. Following the end of World War II, Jaluit came under the control of the United States as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands was a United Nations trust territory in Micronesia administered by the United States from 1947 to 1986.-History:...
until the independence of the Marshall Islands in 1986.
Geography
Jaluit Atoll's lagoon is shaped roughly like a crossCross
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run obliquely, the design is technically termed a saltire, although the arms of a saltire need not meet...
.
The islet of Jabor has the largest population center on Jaluit Atoll, with a population of approximately 1,200. The island features a small hotel, several small stores that sell staple foods, and a gasoline station. Jabor is also a base for commercial and sports fishing, where motor boats can be rented . Snorkeling spots are around the sunken dock by the airport and in the northern pass into the lagoon.
Imiej is an islet a 45 minute boat ride from Jabor. It used to be the headquarters for the Imperial Japanese Navy
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
garrison and was a major seaplane base. The ruins of the power station, barracks, anti-aircraft guns and a Shinto shrine remain.
Education
Jabor has two elementary schools; a private Catholic one: St. Josephs which is attached to the Catholic Church, and a public one in the middle of town. There is an elementary school in Jaluit, Jaluit and in Iemej as well. Jaluit High School is a boarding high school that serves students from Jaluit Atoll and the southern atolls of EbonEbon Atoll
Ebon Atoll is a coral atoll of 22 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. Its total land area is only , but it encloses a deep lagoon with an area of . A passage leads to the lagoon from the southwest edge of the atoll. The...
, ailinglaplap
Ailinglaplap Atoll
Ailinglaplap or Ailinglapalap is a coral atoll of 56 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ralik Chain in the Marshall Islands. It is located northwest of Jaluit Atoll. Its total land area is only , but it encloses a lagoon of...
, Namu
Namu Atoll
Namu Atoll is a coral atoll of 54 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. Its total land area is only , but that encloses a lagoon of...
, Kili
Kili Island
Kili Island or Kili Atoll is a coral atoll located in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. It is approximately southwest of Jaluit...
, Namdrik
Namdrik Atoll
Namdrik Atoll or Namorik Atoll is a coral atoll of two islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. Its total land area is only , but it encloses a lagoon with an area of .Namdrik Atoll is located approximately west-southwest of...
and Jabat
Jabat Island
Jabat Island is an island in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. Its total land area is only , and has a length of . It is located from Ailinglapalap Atoll...
.