The Maloelap Atoll (Marshallese: , ) (also spelled Maleolap) is a coral atoll of 71 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ratak Chain of the Marshall Islands. Its land area is only , but that encloses a lagoon of . It is located north of the atoll of Aur. The population of the atoll was 395 at the 2021 census.
The largest of the islands that make up the atoll are Taroa (the administrative center of the atoll), in the northeast, and Kaben in the northwest. Only three of the other islands in the atoll are inhabited: Airuk, Wolot and Jang. The island is served by Air Marshall Islands via Maloelap Airport.
History
Maloelap Atoll was claimed by the German Empire along with the rest of the Marshall Islands in 1885. After World War I, the island came under the South Seas Mandate of the Empire of Japan.
In 1939, the Japanese built a seaplane base and landplane Taroa Airfield with two runways (4800' + 4100') and support buildings and facilities, including a radar station. During World War II the Japanese garrison of 2,940 navy men and 389 army men was commanded by Rear Admiral Shoichi Kamada. The perimeter of the island was heavily fortified with 12 heavy coastal artillery and 10 heavy anti-aircraft guns.
- Aerok Elementary School
- Jang Elementary School
- Kaben Elementary School
- Ollet Elementary School
- Tarawa Elementary School
Northern Islands High School on Wotje serves the community.
References
External links
- Marshall Islands site
- Pacific Wrecks
- Info Marshall Islands - Maloelap Atoll