They consist of a larger volcanic Pohnpei Island (about 334 km2) and two small atolls Ant and Pakin.

[2][5] Pohnpeian legend recounts that the Saudeleur rulers, the first to bring government to Pohnpei, were of foreign origin.

The Saudeleur centralized form of absolute rule is characterized in Pohnpeian legend as becoming increasingly oppressive over several generations.

[7][8][9] For the Europeans these islands were discovered first by Pedro Fernández de Quirós[10] On 10 September 1825 Captain Row, in the brig John Bull passed within 40 miles from some islands at 6°47′N 158°1′E / 6.783°N 158.017°E / 6.783; 158.017 as he was sailing from New South Wales to Canton.

John Bull was lightly armed and so Row was unwilling to interact with them, choosing instead to sail on.