# Kosrae

> island in Federated States of Micronesia

**Wikidata**: [Q459848](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q459848)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosrae)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kosrae

## Summary
Kosrae is an island and one of the four states constituting the Federated States of Micronesia, located in the Caroline Islands archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean. It operates as a distinct state within a federal republic that gained independence in 1986 and maintains a Compact of Free Association with the United States. With a population of 6,616, the island is situated in the UTC+11:00 time zone and includes the municipality of Tofol.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Island and state
- **Country**: Federated States of Micronesia
- **Location**: Caroline Islands archipelago, western Pacific Ocean
- **Population**: 6,616
- **Coordinates**: 5.313333° N, 162.973889° E (also cited as 5.317° N, 162.983° E)
- **Time Zone**: UTC+11:00
- **Parent Entity**: Federated States of Micronesia (Federal republic)
- **Subsidiary**: Tofol (municipality)
- **Currency**: United States dollar
- **Official Language**: English (via national affiliation)
- **National Independence**: November 3, 1986 (Federated States of Micronesia)
- **Sovereignty Status**: Part of an island sovereign state in Oceania
- **Geographical Classification**: Piece of sub-continental land completely surrounded by water

## FAQs
- **Where is Kosrae located?**
Kosrae is located in the western Pacific Ocean as part of the Caroline Islands archipelago, which is divided between the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau.
- **What is the political status of Kosrae?**
Kosrae is one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia, a federal republic and sovereign state in Oceania.
- **What time zone does Kosrae observe?**
Kosrae observes UTC+11:00, a time zone it shares with Pohnpei State, while Chuuk and Yap State observe UTC+10:00.
- **What is the population of Kosrae?**
The island has a population of 6,616.
- **What currency is used in Kosrae?**
As part of the Federated States of Micronesia, Kosrae uses the United States dollar as its currency.
- **What municipality is located on Kosrae?**
Tofol is a municipality located on the island of Kosrae.

## Why It Matters
Kosrae is integral to the political and geographic structure of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), serving as one of the four foundational states that make up the nation. Its existence as a distinct state contributes to the federal republic's administrative diversity, spanning the UTC+11:00 time zone alongside Pohnpei. The island is part of a sovereign state that holds a unique geopolitical position through the Compact of Free Association with the United States, influencing regional security and economic aid in the Pacific. As a component of the Caroline Islands, Kosrae shares in the archipelago's division between FSM and Palau, highlighting the complex colonial and political history of the region. Its specific population and geographic coordinates make it a distinct data point for demographic and navigational records in Oceania.

## Notable For
- **Statehood**: Being one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (alongside Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Yap).
- **Geographic Position**: Located in the Caroline Islands archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean.
- **Time Zone**: Observing UTC+11:00, distinguishing it from other states within its own country.
- **Subsidiary Entity**: Containing the municipality of Tofol.
- **Sovereign Affiliation**: Belonging to a country that gained independence on November 3, 1986.
- **Currency**: Utilizing the United States dollar through its national affiliation.

## Body
### Geography and Location
Kosrae is defined as a piece of sub-continental land completely surrounded by water, classifying it as an island. It is situated in the Caroline Islands, an extensive archipelago of tiny islands in the western Pacific Ocean. This archipelago is politically divided between the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau. The specific coordinates of Kosrae are recorded as approximately 5.313333° N latitude and 162.973889° E longitude, with an alternative citation at 5.317° N and 162.983° E. The island is part of the sovereign state of the Federated States of Micronesia, which has a total land area of 702 square kilometers and a highest point of Dolohmwar.

### Political Status and Government
Kosrae functions as a state within the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The FSM is a federal republic and an island sovereign state in Oceania that gained independence on November 3, 1986. The nation's foundational texts include the Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Compact of Free Association. The country is a member of the United Nations (since 1991) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States. The head of state and head of government is Wesley Simina, and the legislative body is the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia. While the national capital is Palikir, Kosrae maintains its own state-level administration.

### Demographics and Language
The population of Kosrae is 6,616. This figure contributes to the total population of the Federated States of Micronesia, which was approximately 75,817 as of the 2023 census. The official language of the country is English, though the nation is home to multiple indigenous languages, including Pingelapese, Pohnpeian, and Yapese. The Human Development Index for the country is 0.628 (2021), with a life expectancy of 71 years.

### Time Zone and Regional Distinctions
Kosrae is located in the UTC+11:00 time zone. This time zone is shared specifically with Pohnpei State, whereas the other two states of the Federated States of Micronesia, Chuuk and Yap, operate on UTC+10:00. This distinction highlights the longitudinal spread of the island nation across the western Pacific Ocean.

### Subsidiaries and Administrative Divisions
The island of Kosrae contains the municipality of Tofol. As a state, Kosrae is one of the primary administrative divisions of the Federated States of Micronesia, which also includes the states of Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Yap.

### Economy and Infrastructure
As part of the Federated States of Micronesia, Kosrae utilizes the United States dollar as its currency. The country's economy relies heavily on the Compact of Free Association with the United States, which provides financial assistance and access to U.S. markets. The telephone country code for the region is +691, and the top-level internet domain is .fm. The emergency phone number used is 911, and the driving side is right.

### International Relations
The Federated States of Micronesia, of which Kosrae is a part, maintains diplomatic relations with various countries, including Australia, Palau, Marshall Islands, Taiwan, the United States, the People's Republic of China, Germany, and Kosovo. The country shares maritime borders with the United States, Palau, and Papua New Guinea. Its strategic location in the Pacific plays a key role in regional security and trade.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. OpenStreetMap
3. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/australasia)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. GeoNames
6. FactGrid
7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
8. KBpedia
9. museum-digital