Archipelago (pop., 2000 est.: 137,200), western Pacific Ocean.
Lying south of the Philippines, the islands and their lagoons cover an area of 3,740 sq mi (9,687 sq km). Formerly part of the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the group consists of more than 550 islands, including Yap, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae, and Palau, as well as many coral islets and reefs. Though explored by the Spanish in the 17th century, they were rarely visited until Germany took them in 1899. Granted as a mandate to Japan after World War I, they were placed under U.S. trusteeship in 1947. With the exception of Palau, the islands became the Federated States of Micronesia in 1979. Palau became independent in 1994.