Located within the tropical zone, Truk experiences little seasonal variation in its climate. The mean annual temperature is 26.7 degrees C., and the average humidity is 83 percent. The annual rainfall averages from 305 to 356 cm., and occurs fairly regularly throughout the year. Although rains are heaviest in June through August, there is no marked wet or dry season. While the exact origin of the Trukese and their linguistic affiliations are still matters of debate, they are placed within the Austronesian language family.
Experts differ on the precontact population figures and, therefore, on population trends.
All authors agree that the events of World War II reduced the native population to about 9,200 in 1946. Henderson et al. Although discovered by Alonso de Arellano of Spain in 1565, Truk was little contacted until the nineteenth century. Early contacts included European traders, whalers, and missionaries. Direct cultural intervention was limited until around the turn of the century when Germany annexed the area and introduced changes, particularly in economic and political relations.