A peak into Yap

Preview
Yap is located in the South Pacific roughly 450 kilometers to the northeast of the island of Palau.  The climate is characterized by a yearly warm temperature averaging around 27ºC during the year. (Manta Ray Bay). Precipitation is seasonal with heavy rains being felt around the months of May through November. Typhoons are also seen during this time. Totals for the year average around 100 inches.

Topographically the highest point on the island is Mt. Matade which reaches a height of 574 ft. At lower elevations open savanna grasslands are present on the southern island, while closer to the coastlines mangroves hug the beaches. Coconut groves can also be found farther inland bordering the coastal mangroves. Mixed in to this are patches of tropical forest that are scattered throughout the island at different elevations. (Image 3)

Image 3.
Source: http://www.pacificworlds.com/yap/land/images/forest1.jpg

The island itself remains mostly rural even though it is contains a population of roughly 11,000. Colonia is both the capital and only port for the entire island. The rest of the population resides in small communities that dot the four different islands that make up Yap. The peoples relation with the land revolves around the cultivation and care of small plots of land from which they grow such staples as yams and beans. This is the main means of  employment for the islands residents. Tourism is the other major employer as a steady stream of tourist fly into the island in order to enjoy the beaches and the giant stone money pieces (Image 4)  that are dot the island. Fishing in the reefs and waters around the island also employs a great number of Yap residents.

Image 4.
Source: http://www.visit-fsm.org/yap/gallery/64.jpg