Palikir is the Federated States of Micronesia capital located on Pohnpei island.
Palikir lies on Pohnpei’s northwestern side, within Sokehs municipality, about 8 kilometres southwest of Kolonia. Pohnpei is the largest and most populous island in the federation, a mountainous volcanic island surrounded by a fringing coral reef.
Palikir was once a small village, but the FSM government developed it as a purpose-built national capital. The city was declared the capital in 1989, while the federation’s government offices and presidential residence were established there. The Federated States of Micronesia formed in 1979 and became independent in 1986 after a period of United States administration.
A common mix-up is Kolonia: it is the capital of Pohnpei State and the island’s largest town, but Palikir is the national capital. Palikir is also known for its extremely wet tropical rainforest climate; Pohnpei is among the rainiest inhabited places on Earth.