Geography
With a population of 6,616 (2010 census), Kosrae is the most eastern of the Caroline Islands. The island is located approximately 370 miles (600 km) north of the equator, between Guam and the Hawaiian Islands. Its land area is approximately 42 square miles (110 km2). Some parts of the island are experiencing coastal erosion.
Kosrae is a high island that is largely unspoiled, as it is off the regular tourist routes. Kosrae is becoming a destination for scuba divers and hikers. The coral reefs that surround the island are kept in pristine condition through an extensive mooring buoy system, installed and maintained by concerned expat dive operators with the help of the government's Marine Resources office. The reefs are seldom visited, and contain miles of hard corals, some said to be thousands of years old.
Dense vegetation and steep mountains keep the island largely undeveloped. Viewed from the sea, the island's distinct shape resembles a female body. This has led to the island being called "the island of the sleeping lady."
Kosrae International Airport (IATA code KSA) is located on an artificial island within the fringing reef about 150 meters from the coast and is connected to the main island by a causeway. It is served by United Air Lines (formerly Continental Micronesia) "Island Hopper" flights (twice a week in each direction) between Hawaii and Guam, stopping at other FSM and Marshallese destinations on the way.
There is one significant nearshore island within the fringing reef around Kosrae, which is Lelu Island, and it is only 2 square kilometres (0.77 sq mi) in area, but with a population of around 1,500. It belongs to Lelu municipality, which includes the area around Tofol, the state capital. Other very small, uninhabited islands within the fringing reef are, Yen Yen and Yenasr (also in Lelu municipality), the airport island, Kiul, Mutunyal, Sroansak (Tafunsak municipality), and Srukames (also Tafunsak municipality, Walung part).
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