OFFICIAL NAME: Federated States of Micronesia
CAPITAL: Palikir on Pohnpei Island
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT: Federal Republic
AREA: 702 Sq Km (271 Sq Mi)
ESTIMATED 2000 POPULATION 121,500


Direct Link to Political MapDirect Link to Physical MapLOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY: The Federated States of Micronesia consist of four major island groups or states, Pohnpei, Chuuk (formerly Truk), Kosrae and Yap which are located in the North Pacific Ocean. The territory is made up of 607 islands and atolls, of which 40 are a significant size. Most of the islands are of coral formation either being atolls with a series of islets and a lagoon or low flat coral pancakes. Yap is at the southern end of a great submarine ridge and volcanic outcropping has occurred in the five largest island clusters. Major Cities (pop. est.); Weno 15,300, Tol 19,200, Kolonia 6,200 (1989). Land Use; forested 23%, pastures 14%, agricultural-cultivated 34%, other 29% (1984).


CLIMATE: Micronesia has a tropical climate that is heavily influenced by the NE trade winds which prevail from November to December and April to May. The trade winds bring frequent heavy rainfall and average temperature ranges are from 26 to 27 degrees Celsius (79 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit) all year.


PEOPLE: The people of the Federated States of Micronesia are broadly categorized as Melanesians, although in a narrower sense they are Carolinian. Most of the people consider themselves Yapese, Turkese, etc.. due to their strong local affinity as opposed to a national or ethnic affinity.


DEMOGRAPHIC/VITAL STATISTICS: Density; 158 persons per sq km (410 persons per sq mi) (1991). Urban-Rural; 19.4% urban, 80.6% rural (1980). Sex Distribution; 51.1% male, 48.9% female (1980). Life Expectancy at Birth; 64.0 years male, 68.1 years female (1985). Age Breakdown; 46% under 15, 27% 15 to 29, 13% 30 to 44, 9% 45 to 59, 4% 60 to 74, 1% 75 and over (1980). Birth Rate; 30.6 per 1,000 (1985). Death Rate; 3.6 per 1,000 (1985). Increase Rate; 27.0 per 1,000 (1985). Infant Mortality Rate; 52.2 per 1,000 live births (1989).


RELIGIONS: Mostly Christians and mainly Roman Catholic or Protestant. Other minorities include Seven Day Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses and the Assembly of God followers. In some areas local native tribal beliefs are still quite strong.


LANGUAGES: The national language is English, although several indigenous languages which belong to the Malayo-Polynesian family of languages are also spoken.


EDUCATION: Aged 25 or over and having attained: no formal schooling 24.8%, incomplete primary 38.2%, primary 11.7%, incomplete secondary 7.7%, secondary 9.6%, higher 8.0% (1980). Literacy; literate population aged 15 or over 30,074 or 76.7% (1980).


MODERN HISTORY - WWII TO 1993: In 1947 the UN established the Pacific Islands Trust Territory which was placed under US control. In the 1960's moves began towards preparing Micronesia for self government and in a July 1978 referendum of the trust territory states, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Truk, and Yap voted in favor of a common constitution under which the Federated States of Micronesia would be internally self-governing while the US maintained defense responsibilities. In Nov. 1986 US administration of the Federated States of Micronesia formally ended when the Federated States of Micronesia signed a "Compact of Free Association" with the US and began to receive US aid for the duration of the 15 year agreement. In July 1991 Pohnpei hosted the South Pacific Forum. In Aug. 1991 the UN security council accepted the FSM's application for UN membership which became effective Sept. 17, 1991. Also in 1991 Pres. John Haglelgam had to resign after losing his state senatorial election and was succeeded by Bailey Olter who was elected by the National Congress. In 1992 the US granted the FSM concession import tariffs and exempt import-quota requirements for their tuna fishing industry following talks between Pres. Olter and US Pres. Bush in Washington DC. Also in 1992 the US gave emergency aid to the island of Chuuk following severe water shortages as a result of sustained drought. In July 1993 the FSM became a member of the IMF. In 1993 Pres. Olter signed a cooperation agreement with China following his visit and 34 islanders from Kosrae requested compensation from the US for health problems relating to the nuclear tests carried out in the region in the 1950s.


CURRENCY: The official currency is the US Dollar (USD) divided into 100 Cents.


ECONOMY: Gross National Product; USD $157,400,000 (1989). Public Debt; USD $128,800,000 (1994). Imports; USD $109,486,000 (1993). Exports; USD $29,169,000 (1993). Tourism Receipts; N/A. Balance of Trade; USD -$80,300,000 (1993). Economically Active Population; 30,500 or 60.6% of total population (1990). Unemployed; 13.5% (1990).


MAIN TRADING PARTNERS: Its main trading partners are the USA and Japan.

MAIN PRIMARY PRODUCTS: Copra, Fish, Livestock, Phosphates.

MAJOR INDUSTRIES: Agriculture, Canning, Coconut Oil Extraction, Fishing, Garment Manufacture, Soap Manufacture, Tourism.

MAIN EXPORTS: Copra, Fish, Handicrafts.


TRANSPORT: Railroads; nil. Roads; length 226 km (140 mi) (1990). Vehicles; N/A. Merchant Marine; N/A. Air Transport; N/A.


COMMUNICATIONS: Daily Newspapers; nil. Radio; receivers 70,000 (1993). Television; receivers 7,000 (1993). Telephones; units 6,015 (1993).


MILITARY: Nil (see Modern History).


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