Coral reefs surround them. One large break in the reefs allows small vessels to enter a natural harbor. The people of the Yap Islands are Micronesians. Most of them make a living by farming. Taro, bananas, yams, coconuts, and tropical fruits are the main crops.
Fishing is also important.
Some people are employed by the government. Spaniards first discovered and controlled Yap. In 1899, Spain sold the islands to Germany. After World War I ended in 1918, the League of Nations put Yap under Japanese mandate. The United States protested this action.