Micronesia
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Federated States of Micronesia
President: Emmanuel Mori (2007)
Current government officials
Total area: 271 sq mi (702 sq km). Land area,
same (includes islands of Pohnpei, Yap, Chuuk, and Kosrae)
Population (2007 est.): 107,862 (growth
rate: –0.2); birth rate: 24.1/1000; infant mortality rate:
28.2/1000; life expectancy: 70.4; density per sq mi: 398
Capital (2003 est.):
Palikir 11,600
Languages:
English (official, common), Chukese,
Pohnpeian, Yapase, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro,
Kapingamarangi
Ethnicity/race:
nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian
groups
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant
47%
Literacy rate: 89% (1980 est.)
Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2002
est.): $277 million; note: GDP is supplemented by grant aid,
averaging perhaps $100 million annually; per capita $2,300 (2005
est.). Real growth rate: 0.3%. Inflation: 2.2%.
Unemployment: 22% (2000 est.). Arable land: 6%.
Agriculture: black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables,
coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs,
chickens; fish. Labor force: 37,410 (2000); agriculture:
0.9%, industry: 34.4%, services: 64.7%; note: two-thirds are
government employees (FY05 est.). Industries: tourism,
construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items
from shell, wood, and pearls. Natural resources: forests,
marine products, deep-seabed minerals. Exports: $14 million
(f.o.b., 2004 est.): fish, garments, bananas, black pepper.
Imports: $132.7 million (f.o.b., 2004 est.): food,
manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages. Major
trading partners: Japan, U.S., Hong Kong, Guam (2006).
Communications: Telephones: main lines
in use: 12,400 (2005); mobile cellular: 14,100 (2005). Radio
broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004).
Radios: 9,400 (1996). Television broadcast stations: 3
(2004). Televisions: 2,800 (1999). Internet Service
Providers (ISPs): 632 (2007). Internet users: 16,000
(2006).
Transportation: Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 240 km; paved: 42 km; unpaved: 198 km (1999
est.). Ports and harbors: Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei),
Lele, Moen. Airports: 6 (2007).
International disputes: none.
Major sources and definitions
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Geography
The Federated States of Micronesia is composed of the island states of
Yap, Chuuk (Truk), Pohnpei (Ponape), and Kosrae, all in the Caroline
Islands. The islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to
low coral atolls, with volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and
Chuuk. They are located 3,200 mi (5,150 km) west-southwest of Hawaii, in
the north Pacific Ocean.
Government
Constitutional government in free association with the United States
since Nov. 1986.
History
The islands, inhabited by Micronesian and Polynesian peoples, were
colonized by Spain in the 17th century. Germany purchased them from Spain
in 1898. They were occupied by the Japanese in 1914, but American forces
seized them from the Japanese during World War II. On April 2, 1947, the
United Nations Security Council created the Trust Territory of the Pacific
Islands. The trust placed the Northern Mariana, Caroline, and Marshall
Islands under the administration of the United States.
The Micronesian Federation (FMA) became self-governing in 1979. In
1983, the FMA voted to accept a Compact of Free Association with the U.S.,
and in Nov. 1986, the U.S. government declared the Trust Territory
agreements no longer in effect—thereby granting the Federated States of
Micronesia full independence. In Nov. 2002 the compact was renewed for
another 20 years.
The FMA was admitted to the United Nations on Sept. 17, 1991. In July
1993, the country became a member of the International Monetary Fund.
Micronesia, as well as many other South Pacific countries, is alarmed by
the effect continued global warming will have on its islands. The
consequent rise in the level of the oceans threatens low-lying islands
with flooding and, eventually, with submergence.
In 2004, Yap was ravaged by Typhoon Sudel, and much of its
infrastructure was destroyed.
See also Encyclopedia: Micronesia
U.S. State Dept. Country Notes:
Micronesia
Government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
http://www.fsmgov.org/info/people.html .
Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education,
Inc. All rights reserved.
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