According to Spanish researcher Emilio Pastor in a paper submitted to his government in 1948, a number of small islands in Micronesia (Kapingamarangi or Coroa, Mapia or Güedes, Ocea (now Kiritimati) or Matador, and Rongerik or Pescadores) continue legally under Spanish sovereignty.

Although the Spanish government studied the case in 1949 and accepted this interpretation, it has never formally reclaimed the islands.

[2] The atoll was part of Tidore Sultanate as part of the Papoua Gam Sio ("The Nine Negeri of Papua"),[3] and the local Mapia chieftain was given the title Sangaji Meraudi.

Biak sailors have been sailing to the island for centuries, primarily from Supiori, after returning from this journey they will tattoo themselves in the shape seagull (Manmarmar).

[4] The extinct Mapia language was spoken on the islands until the end of the 20th century.