The diversity of tropical landscape and scenery found in Pohnpei has earned it the title of Micronesia's "Garden Island" and many believe that it is also the most beautiful of Micronesia's 2,106 islands. Its tall mountain peaks rise to 2,660 feet and receive one of the world's highest rainfalls, some 400 inches annually, creating a lush tropical jungle and 40 rivers that sweep over the rugged terrain in a series of swift running streams and spectacular waterfalls. The jungle is a natural hothouse of horticulture and wildlife. More than 750 species of plants thrive here, 250 of them indigenous to the island. There are 50 species of birds, five of which are endemic, more than 70 species of lizards, wild pigs, deer and the nimble Pohnpei Flying Fox.

About Pohnpei: The coastline of Pohnpei is surrounded by mangrove forest, almost half a mile deep and 30 feet tall in places. These wetlands are a habitat for a variety of migratory seabirds, waterfowl and forest birds as well several species of monitor lizard, mangrove crabs and a fragile ecosystem of marine life. There is a strong cultural attachment to the mangrove and rainforest areas of Pohnpei. They play a significant role in the origin of myths and spiritual legends of Pohnpei's ancient culture as well as providing an important source of traditional medicines and food.

Archaeological evidence suggests that Pohnpei was first settled between 2,000 and 3,000 years ago. This culminated in a highly developed feudal kingdom that was at the height of its power and influence between 1000AD and 1400AD. The stone ruins of its capital at Nan Madol are a must on any visitor's itinerary and remain a mysterious and impressive reminder, as do the ruins of Lelu on Kosrae, of the accomplishments of these early ancestors.

Today, their cultural legacy lives on in much of the local traditions of Pohnpei society. Traditions that survived two centuries of colonial rule by the Spanish, Germans, Japanese and Americans still strongly influence Pohnpei's social and political character in the 21st century.

Of these traditions Pohnpei's cultural dances and the local brew, Sakau, have become popular attractions for visitors to the island. The Sakau-making ceremony is an elaborate one that dates back to Pohnpei's pre-history and is a regular feature of any cultural performance.

There are a great many cultural and historic sites on Pohnpei. Many are easily accessible and quite a few can be visited during a short walk within Kolonia town itself. Others require a journey by boat or car, or a hike into Pohnpei's mountainous interior. Pohnpei's natural beauty and wealth of indigenous flora and fauna attracts adventurous travellers from across the world to hike the island's interior and paddle among the maze of canals in the surrounding mangrove forest.

Although not as well known for diving as its sister states Yap and Chuuk, Pohnpei's reefs and atolls offer sports diving the equal of any of Micronesian's many islands. There are numerous sites on and around Pohnpei's barrier reef and islands. Ant and Pakin atolls are pristine white sand islands with steep coral walls, lots of big fish action and exciting drift dives. Pakin Atoll also boasts some of the best gorgonian fans in the world and like Yap, Pohnpei has its own tame manta rays who regularly delight divers and underwater photographers with close encounters in a shallow channel just off Pohnpei's coast.

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