
Can I visit Yap?
U.S. citizens are allowed to stay indefinitely, provided they have a valid passport. Most other nationals are allowed between 14 and 30 days. Please check with your travel agent or email the Yap Visitors Bureau for more information.
What is Yap famous for?
Yap is known for its stone money, known as Rai, or Fei: large doughnut-shaped, carved disks of (usually) calcite, up to 4 m (12 ft) in diameter (most are much smaller). The smallest can be as little as 3.5 centimetres (1.4 in) in diameter.
What is Yapese Stone Money?
The Yap islands group is part of Micronesia and has a very peculiar currency: stone. Stone money known as “Rai” are large stone disks, sometimes measuring up to 4 meters, with a hole in the middle that was used for carrying them. It was and still is used as a trading currency there.
Where did Yapese people come from?
1500 B.C. Yap is populated by migrants from Eastern Indonesia or the Philippines. The arrival of settlers may have occurred as far back as 2,000 to 3,000 B.C. next two centuries, more than twenty explorers and traders of Spanish, British, Dutch and American origin pass through the Yap Islands.
What language is spoken in Yap?
Yapese… people of Yap Island speak Yapese, a language only distantly related to the other languages of the area (which are known as Nuclear Micronesian languages).
Who owns the island of Yap?
the Federated States of Micronesia"Island of Yap") or simply as Wa'ab, is one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The other states are Kosrae State, Pohnpei State, and Chuuk State.
Are Rai stones still used?
Although modern currency has replaced the stones as everyday currency, the rai stones are still exchanged in traditional ways between the Yapese. They are a national symbol and are depicted on local license plates.
How much is a RAI Stone?
The stones have different values that depend on their history rather than size. Value: 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, $1 and $2 denominations. Created by Canadian Tire back in 1958, this money was originally conceptualised as a customer reward.
Which island has its own currency?
The Falkland Island pound is fixed at a rate of one pound Sterling. Bank of England coins and notes are accepted in the Islands at full value. However, some travellers have experienced difficulties exchanging Falkland Islands' notes at their bank on return to the UK.
Where is Yapese spoken?
Federated States of MicronesiaYapese is a language spoken by the people on the island of Yap (Federated States of Micronesia). It belongs to the Austronesian languages, more specifically to the Oceanic branch of that family.
Is Micronesia a territory of the US?
U.S.- FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA (FSM) RELATIONS The Compact reflected that the FSM was a sovereign nation in free association with the United States. An Amended Compact entered into force in 2004. The Amended Compact does not have an end date. The FSM is a sovereign nation.
Is Yap a US territory?
Seized by Japan in 1915, Yap became a U.S. protectorate after World War II and gained independence in 1986, as part of the Federated States of Micronesia. Since then, the U.S. has provided subsidies that account for 70% of public spending on Yap.
What is Yap culture?
Today's Yap culture is a mix of ancient traditional values and the modern world. Yapese people are living in two time periods simultaneously by working in 21st Century offices while preserving their culture, traditional lives and values at home. See how the ancient and the broadband worlds mix.
What is a yap drug?
Several drugs in clinical practice have been reported for modulating the major Hippo pathway's terminal effectors, namely YAP (Yes1-associated protein), TAZ (transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif) and TEAD (transcriptional enhanced associate domains), which are directly involved in the regulation of cell ...
What is the flag of Yap?
The official flag of the State of Yap shall be a white star, circled by a white traditional sailing canoe, enclosed by a white circle, centered in a field of blue. The dimensions shall be as follows: (a) The length of the flag shall be seventy inches. (b) The width of the flag shall be thirty-seven inches.
What is YAP gene?
YAP1 (yes-associated protein 1), also known as YAP or YAP65, is a protein that acts as a transcription coregulator that promotes transcription of genes involved in cellular proliferation and suppressing apoptotic genes.
Where is Yap located?
In pre-European times Yap was the centre of a cultural area stretching from Palau in the west to near the Chuuk Islands in the east. Extensive ruins and the islanders’ renowned use of stone-disk money date from that period. Yap was probably sighted in 1526 by Portuguese navigators. It was nominally controlled by Spain after being discovered anew by the Spanish galleon captain Francisco Lazeano in 1686. It passed to Germany in 1899. During that period, David O’Keefe, an American, founded a trading empire based on his supplying the Yapese with traditional stone money (which he imported from Palau) in return for copra. The German authorities made Yap a centre for underwater cable communication. After the islands came under Japanese control in 1919, they became a point of conflict until the United States and Japan reached agreement (1921) concerning the use of the cable facilities. Yap was a Japanese air and naval base during World War II. It became part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1947 and part of the newly established Federated States of Micronesia in 1986.
When did Yap become part of the Pacific Islands?
Yap was a Japanese air and naval base during World War II. It became part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1947 and part ...
What is the average rainfall in Yap Island?
The mean monthly temperature is in the low 80s F (about 28 °C), and the average annual rainfall is about 120 inches (3,000 mm). Colonia, the capital of Yap state, is on the east coast of Yap Island.
Who was the first person to establish a trading empire in the Yapese?
It passed to Germany in 1899. During that period, David O’Keefe, an American, founded a trading empire based on his supplying the Yapese with traditional stone money (which he imported from Palau) in return for copra. The German authorities made Yap a centre for underwater cable communication.
Is Yap a part of Micronesia?
It became part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1947 and part of the newly established Federated States of Micronesia in 1986. Growth in tourism and light industry have combined to give Yap the most vigorous state economy and highest standard of living in the Federated States of Micronesia.
How many islands are there in Yap?
Yap is actually made up of four separate islands: Yap Proper ( Marbaaq ), Gagil-Tamil, Maap ( Yapese: Maap′ ), and Rumung. The four islands are separated by relatively narrow water features, and the islands are surrounded by a common coral reef. Gagil-Tamil was once connected to Yap Proper, but a canal was constructed that separated the two landmasses in 1901. Yap was formed from an uplift of the Philippine Sea Plate, and is referred to as a "high" island as opposed to atolls. The land is mostly rolling hills, with densely vegetated valleys and savanna interiors. Mangrove swamps line much of the shore, although there are beaches on the northern and western sides of the islands. Excluding the reef area, the Yap Main Islands are approximately 24 km long, 5–10 km wide, and 98 km 2. The highest elevation is 178 m (584 ft) at Mount Taabiywol in Fanif municipality on Yap Proper.
What are the buildings on Yap?
There are three types of traditional buildings on Yap. The " tibnaw " is a family house and has a roof made of woven thatch (dried palm fronds). Inside, there is one open room with no lavatory. Kitchens are separate structures ( t'ang) outside the family houses.
What is the Yap money?
Yap is known for its stone money, known as Rai, or Fei: large doughnut -shaped, carved disks of (usually) calcite, up to 4 m (12 ft) in diameter (most are much smaller). The smallest can be as little as 3.5 centimetres (1.4 in) in diameter. Many of them were brought from other islands, as far as New Guinea, but most came in ancient times from Palau. Their value is based on both the stone's size and its history. Historically the Yapese valued the disks because the material looks like quartz, and these were the shiniest objects available. Eventually the stones became legal tender and were even mandatory in some payments.
When was Yap first discovered?
The first recorded sighting of Yap by Europeans came during the Spanish expedition of Álvaro de Saavedra in 1528. Its sighting was also recorded by the Spanish expedition of Ruy López de Villalobos on 26 January 1543, who charted them as Los Arrecifes ("the reefs"). At Yap, the Villalobos' expedition received the same surprising greeting as previously in Fais Island from the local people approaching the ships in canoes: " Buenos días Matelotes! " ("Good day, sailors!") in perfect sixteenth-century Spanish evidencing previous presence of the Spaniards in the area. The original account of this story is included in the report that the Augustinian Fray Jerónimo de Santisteban, travelling with the Villalobos' expedition, wrote for the Viceroy of New Spain, while in Kochi during the voyage home. Yap also appeared in Spanish charts as Los Garbanzos ( The Chickpeas in Spanish) and Gran Carolina ( Great Caroline in Spanish).
Where did the Yapese language originate?
The Yapese language belongs to the Austronesian languages, more specifically to the Oceanic languages. Yap was initially settled by ancient migrants from the Malay Peninsula, the Indonesian Archipelago, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. The people of the Yap State outer islands are descendants of Micronesian settlers, and as such have significant ethnic dissimilarities from the people of the Yap Main Islands. Their culture and languages ( Ulithian and Woleaian) are closely related to those of the outer islands of Chuuk. English is used as a common language.
Spawning
The number of yaks that can exist on the player's island varies depending on their level in Animal Care .
History
Fixed a bug that prevented yaks from eating from wooden troughs, metal troughs, or automated troughs .
Trivia
Yaks can move with the sleeping animation, but this can be fixed by mounting and dismounting.
Where did yaks originate?
The wild yaks were first domesticated by the Qiang people of Tibet at about four thousand years ago. These wild yaks later formed the domestic yak that gradually spread all over to the North America, Europe and other parts of the world. These yaks have bulky physiology with strong well built legs that help them to climb up the steep elevations if many Tibetan regions, especially during hiking, carrying loads on the top of their body. The yaks are extremely furry that hang below their bellies even. The color variation can be stealthily observed as the yaks range from white to black to chocolate brown even.
Where can I see yak farming?
Lhasa, specifically central Lhasa and Nyingchi also provide a meticulous view of yak farming. The lush green meadows of Nyingchi provide not only adequate but also nutritious food for the Yaks. Except for that, glimpse of Yak farming can also be observed near Yamdrok lake.
Why are yaks important to Tibetans?
The yaks serve as the important constituents to earn their livelihoods and carry on with their lives. Not only that, there are many festivals also related with the yaks as a matter of fact, to show its importance. The famous Yak Festival of Tibet, for example, is one such festival that occurs to show the importance of the yaks in the agricultural lives of the Tibetans. In this festival, the yaks are decorated by making them wear colourful clothes, placing colorful beads across neck or tying colorful flags along their horns and so on. This festival occurs in the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the Tibetan calendar.
How long is the Yak festival?
It lasts for ten days and even sometimes a month. During this festival, the people indulge in as much enjoyment as possible.
Why do monks give yak milk?
After the three months of hard toils, the yak milk in the sour form is offered to the monks as a means of sacred diet.
Why is yak wool important?
Not only that, the yak wool is also an important constituent for export, raising efficiently the per capita income of the Tibetans. The yak milk is the chief item in the diet of every Tibetan people. It is used for making butter and cheese and other dairy products.Also the milk is extremely nutritious.
Where are yaks used?
In the Litang festival also, the decorated yaks are used for racing and providing enjoyment to the people. The yaks are scattered almost in the whole of Tibet, however there are certain distinct areas where yak farming is in vogue. The tourists can catch a glimpse of yak farming in the ‘Yak House’ of Tibet where the animals are maintained well and the land is tilled very efficiently. In the Changthang region, the vast meadows are used accurately for Yak rearing.
Where do yaks live?
The Basics. The Yak is a large ox-like mammal native to Tibet and other high-altitude regions of Asia. Here, it was domesticated and has been introduced to virtually all human settlements at a high altitude of over 14,000 feet. They are now common in China, Mongolia, Nepal, and Central Asia. A black yak.
How big is a yak?
Description. The yak is a large ox or cow-like animal that can grow up to 7.2 feet tall at their shoulders . Bulls can weigh up to 1,800 pounds while cows (females) are generally about half as heavy. They are normally black, brown, white, or grey in color and have varying lengths of coat depending on the population.
Why are yaks endangered?
Currently, small populations remain in northern Tibet as well as on the Ladakh steppe of India. Although they are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, they remain effectively unprotected. They are further endangered due to their ability to interbreed with domestic cattle.
How high do yaks live?
This combination allows the yak to survive in temperatures regularly as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Yaks live at high altitudes of more than 14,000 feet.
Why was yak dung important?
In fact, the availability of yak dung as fuel was a potentially critical factor in the eventual colonization of this harsh environment. The need for this fuel was so great that it may have been the root cause of wild yaks being integrated into human settlements, ultimately leading to its domestication.
Why are yaks so good at high altitude?
This allows them to take in more air in each breath which makes up for the lack of oxygen present in their high-altitude environment. In addition, they also have more and smaller red blood cells than comparable mammals that live in low-altitude environments. This allows for the transport of more oxygen per volume of blood than would otherwise be possible. In combination, these adaptations allow the yak to extract more oxygen from the air in its environment than would otherwise be possible, clearly making it well suited for its high-altitude alpine environment.
What is a yak's undercoat made of?
Their thick, short undercoat is an excellent insulator, capable of keeping yaks warm in their extreme winter environments. However, much like a down jacket made of goose down , this undercoat will not serve its function well when it gets when.
Where do yaks live?
Habitat of the Yak. Wild yaks live in alpine meadows and steppes in Asia. They can live at altitudes of up to 18,000 ft (5,400 m), and can easily tolerate temperatures of -40° F (-40° C).
What is a yak?
Yaks are robust cattle with a bulky frame, short but thick legs, and rounded cloven hooves that are splayed to help them walk in snow. Their most distinctive feature is an extremely dense, shaggy long coat that, in some individuals, hangs down to the ground.
How do yaks protect themselves?
Most often, however, the males are solitary, or form small bachelor herds. When the conditions are cold, for example at night and in snowstorms, yaks protect themselves from the cold by huddling together , and positioning the calves in the center, where it is warmer. When there is snow on the ground, yaks use their horns to uncover the plants below.
How many yaks are there in the world?
There are two different species of yak – the domestic yak ( Bos grunniens ), and wild yak ( Bos mutus ). There are about 12 million domestic yaks in the world, but only 10,000 to 15,000 wild yaks. Read on to learn about the yak. 1. 2.
Why do yaks live at high altitudes?
Because they live at such a high altitude, many of the adaptations of yaks are related to them keeping warm. They have also been domesticated for thousands of years, so humans use them for a wide variety of purposes.
Why are yaks kept?
Yaks are kept primarily for their meat, milk, fiber, and as beasts of burden ( transporting goods or pulling plows for local farmers and traders, and climbing and trekking expeditions). Their droppings are also used as fuel. In some cultures, yak racing and yak polo are forms of sport and entertainment.
What is the difference between a yak and a domestic yak?
Wild yaks are generally dark, blackish to brown in color, whereas domestic yaks are more variable in color, and may have patches of cream and rusty brown, sometimes making them piebald. Yaks have relatively small ears, and a broad forehead.

Overview
Yap (Yapese: Waqaab ) traditionally refers to an island group located in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean, a part of Yap State. The name "Yap" in recent years has come to also refer to the state within the Federated States of Micronesia, inclusive of the Yap Main Islands and its various outer islands, the Yap Neighboring Islands. For specifying the island group, the name Yap Main Islands is most exact.
Geography
Yap is actually made up of four separate islands: Yap Proper (Marbaaq), Gagil-Tamil, Maap (Yapese: Maap′), and Rumung. The four islands are separated by relatively narrow water features, and the islands are surrounded by a common coral reef. Gagil-Tamil was once connected to Yap Proper, but a canal, Tagireeng Canal, less than 10 meters wide, was constructed that separated th…
Culture
The Yapese people's indigenous cultures and traditions are strong compared to other states in Micronesia.
Yap is known for its stone money, known as Rai, or Fei: large doughnut-shaped, carved disks of (usually) calcite, up to 4 m (12 ft) in diameter (most are much smaller). The smallest can be as little as 3.5 centimetres (1.4 in) in diameter. …
Foreign Contact
The first recorded sighting of Yap by Europeans came during the Spanish expedition of Álvaro de Saavedra in 1528. Its sighting was also recorded by the Spanish expedition of Ruy López de Villalobos on 26 January 1543, who charted them as Los Arrecifes ("the reefs"). At Yap, the Villalobos expedition received the same surprising greeting as previously in Fais Island from the local people …
See also
• 2007 Yap Islands Zika virus outbreak
• William Henry Furness III
• Rai stones
External links
• The Official Government Website for the Island of Yap
• Yap Visitors Bureau