| Yap, also known as Wa'ab for locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean, the least westernized state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The "island" of Yap actually consists of four continental islands (hence the alternative name of the Yap Islands). The four are very close together and joined within a common coral reef and entirely formed from an uplift of the Eurasian plate. The land is mostly rolling hills densely covered with vegetation. Mangrove swamps line much of the shore. An outer barrier reef surrounds the islands, enclosing a lagoon between fringing reefs and the inner edge of the barrier reef.
Colonia is the capital of the State of Yap. It administers both Yap proper and 14 atolls reaching to the east and south for some 800 km (500 mi), namely Eauripik, Elato, Fais, Faraulep, Gaferut, Ifalik, Lamotrek, Ngulu, Olimarao, Piagailoe (West Fayu), Pikelot, Sorol, Ulithi, and Woleai Atolls (municipalities in bold). Further outlying municipalities are Satawal, Elato, Faraulap.
2003 population was 6,300 in both Colonia and ten other municipalities. The state has a total land area of 102 kmē (38.7 sq mi).
Yap is perhaps the most traditional of the Federated States of Micronesia's four states.
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