What countries border Micronesia?
What is the current weather in Micronesia?
What is Micronesia famous for?
What is the capital of Micronesia?
Capital |
Palikir note: Palikir became the new capital of the country in 1989, three years after independence; Kolonia, the former capital, remains the site for many foreign embassies; it also serves as the Pohnpei state capital |
Government Type | federal republic in free association with the US |
Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
Total Area |
271 Square Miles 702 Square Kilometers |
Location | Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia |
Language | English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi |
GDP - real growth rate | -0.2% |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | $3,000.00 (USD) |
What is the population of Micronesia?
Ethnic Groups | nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups |
Nationality Noun | Micronesian(s) |
Population | 104,719 |
Population Growth Rate | -0.38% |
Population in Major Urban Areas | PALIKIR (capital) 7,000 |
Urban Population | 22.600000 |
What type of government does Micronesia have?
Executive Branch |
chief of state: President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023); Vice President Aren B. PALIK (since 12 May 2023); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023); Vice President Aren B. PALIK (since 12 May 2023) cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by Congress from among the 4 'at large' senators for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 May 2023 (next to be held in 2027) election results: David W. PANUELO elected president by Congress; Yosiwo P. GEORGE reelected vice president |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal |
Citizenship |
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of FSM dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years |
National Holiday | Constitution Day, 10 May (1979) |
Constitution |
history: drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979 amendments: proposed by Congress, by a constitutional convention, or by public petition; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote in at least three fourths of the states; amended 1990; note – at least every 10 years as part of a general or special election, voters are asked whether to hold a constitution convention; a majority of affirmative votes is required to proceed; amended many times, last in 2019 (approval by referendum to hold a constitutional convention) |
Independence | 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) |
What environmental issues does Micronesia have?
Overview |
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) consist of four states—Yap, Chuuk (formerly Truk), Pohnpei (formerly Ponape), and Kosrae which cover 1 million square miles of the Central Pacific Ocean in the Caroline Islands chain. FSM's jagged borders stretch from 136°E to 166°E longitude (from Kosrae to Yap) and from just north of the Equator at Kapingamarangi Island to approximately 12°N of the Equator near Guam. Palikir, the capital, is located on Pohnpei Island at latitude 6°54'N, longitude 158°14'E. "Micronesia" denotes "small islands," an apt description for the geography of the FSM, which has 607 islands, 65 of them inhabited. The total land area is a modest 270.8 square miles. Geologically, the FSM varies from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls to volcanic outcroppings. Pohnpei Island, 13 miles in diameter and 129 square miles in area, includes almost half the FSM's land area. Pohnpei readily shows its volcanic origins with many hills and cliffs, as well as basalt outcroppings such as Sokeh's Rock, a striking landmark at the entrance to Kolonia Harbor. Pohnpei is thickly forested, is rimmed by mangrove forests, and has a few man-made sandy beaches. Pohnpei is surrounded by a large lagoon with an outer barrier reef about 2 miles from shore. Within the lagoon are more than 25 volcanic and coral islands. |
Climate | Pohnpei is one of the wettest spots on Earth, with an annual rainfall of about 200 inches a year in Kolonia and as much as 400 inches in the interior. Rain falls heavily throughout the year, though January through March are the least rainy months. Northeasterly trade winds blow most of the year, but damaging tropical storms generally bypass Pohnpei. The temperature averages 81°F year round. Evenings are mild, in the low 70s, and daytime temperatures seldom exceed the upper 80s. Humidity is high, averaging 89%, resulting in rapid growth of mildew and mold in non-air-conditioned environments. Air quality is excellent and free of pollutants. |
Environment - Current Issues | overfishing, climate change, pollution |
Environment - International Agreements |
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Terrain | islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk |
How big is the Micronesia economy?
Economic Overview |
Economic activity consists largely of subsistence farming and fishing, and government, which employs two-thirds of the adult working population and receives funding largely - 58% in 2013 – from Compact of Free Association assistance provided by the US. The islands have few commercially valuable mineral deposits. The potential for tourism is limited by isolation, lack of adequate facilities, and limited internal air and water transportation. Under the terms of the original Compact, the US provided $1.3 billion in grants and aid from 1986 to 2001. The US and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) negotiated a second (amended) Compact agreement in 2002-03 that took effect in 2004. The amended Compact runs for a 20-year period to 2023; during which the US will provide roughly $2.1 billion to the FSM. The amended Compact also develops a trust fund for the FSM that will provide a comparable income stream beyond 2024 when Compact grants end. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile because of dependence on US assistance and lackluster performance of its small and stagnant private sector. |
Industries | tourism, construction, fish processing, specialized aquaculture, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls |
Currency Name and Code | US Dollar (USD) |
Export Partners | Japan, US, Guam |
Import Partners | US, Australia, Japan |
What current events are happening in Micronesia?
Source: Google News
What makes Micronesia a unique country to travel to?