.jpg) NASA picture of Maloelap Atoll | |
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  Maloelap Atoll | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | North Pacific |
| Coordinates | 08°45′00″N171°04′00″E / 8.75000°N 171.06667°E /8.75000; 171.06667 |
| Archipelago | Ratak |
| Total islands | 71 |
| Area | 9.8 km2 (3.8 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 3 m (10 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 395 (2021) |
| Ethnic groups | Marshallese |
TheMaloelap Atoll (Marshallese:M̧aļoeļap,[mˠɑlˠɔːɛlˠɑpʲ][1]) (also spelled Maleolap) is acoral atoll of 71 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of theRatak Chain of theMarshall Islands. Its land area is only 9.8 square kilometers (3.8 sq mi), but that encloses a lagoon of 972 square kilometers (375 sq mi). It is located 18 kilometers (11 mi) north of the atoll ofAur. The population of the atoll was 395 at the 2021 census.[2]
The largest of the islands that make up the atoll areTaroa (the administrative center of the atoll), in the northeast, andKaben in the northwest. Only three of the other islands in the atoll are inhabited: Airuk, Wolot and Jang. The island is served byAir Marshall Islands viaMaloelap Airport.
Maloelap Atoll was claimed by theGerman Empire along with the rest of the Marshall Islands in 1885.[3] After World War I, the island came under theSouth Seas Mandate of theEmpire of Japan.
In 1939, the Japanese built a seaplane base and landplaneTaroa Airfield with two runways (4800' + 4100') and support buildings and facilities, including aradar station. During World War II the Japanese garrison of 2,940 navy men and 389 army men was commanded by Rear Admiral Shoichi Kamada.[4] The perimeter of the island was heavily fortified with 12 heavy coastal artillery and 10 heavy anti-aircraft guns.[4] The island was attacked by theUnited States Navy beginning in February 1942 starting with carrier-based aircraft and shelling by warships. The attacks grew in frequency and severity afterMajuro andKwajalein had fallen to the Americans. Of the 3097-man Japanese garrison (1772Imperial Japanese Navy, 368Imperial Japanese Army, and 957 civilians) only 1041 (34%) survived the war. Several Marshallese were also killed. A large number of war relics, including plane wrecks, mainlyMitsubishi A6M Zero fighters andMitsubishi G4M Betty bombers remain scattered about.
Following the end of World War II, the island came under the control of the United States as part of theTrust Territory of the Pacific Islands until the independence of the Marshall Islands in 1986. Maloelap Atoll was the first to ratify theMarshall Islands' constitution.
Marshall Islands Public School System operates public schools:[5]
Northern Islands High School onWotje serves the community.[6]
