Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia, an island nation is located in the Pacific Ocean comprising 607 islands. The four states- Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae are represented in each star in the national flag of the nation. Palikir, situated in the state of Pohnpei is the capital of Micronesia. Micronesia is a sovereign nation in free association with the United States. United States is responsible for the defense affairs of the country.

HISTORY:- The Micronesian and Polynesian peoples settled in the islands. The Spanish kingdom colonized the islands in the 17th century. In 1898, the islands were sold to Germany. During the World War I, The islands were invaded and captured by the Japanese forces. During the World War II, the Japanese troop was overpowered by the American forces. The United Nations Security Council established the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1947. In 1979, The Micronesian Federation achieved autonomy. In 1986, United States withdrew the Trust Territory agreements and the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the United States of America and gained full autonomy. In 2004, the Compact was renewed for another 20 years.

GEOGRAPHY:- Micronesia is located at 6 55 N, 158 15 E in the Oceania. The island state comprises 607 islands in the North Pacific Ocean. The archipelago consists of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae island groups. The islands capture total 702 sq km area. The coastline is 6,112 km long along with the Pacific Ocean. The lowest point is Pacific Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Dolohmwar (Totolom) (791 m). Some islands are hilly to mountainous while some are low lying coral atolls. The island groups are volcanic in nature.  

CLIMATE:- The climate of Micronesia is predominantly tropical. Heavy rainfall can be seen in the eastern part of the archipelago. Typhoons cause natural hazards frequently.

GOVERNMENT:- Micronesia has a constitutional government in free association with the United States. The Compact of Free Association had been renewed in 2004. The constitution was adopted on 10th May 1979. The legal system is based on the Trust Territory laws, the acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws. The three major branches of the government are:

Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state and head of government), the Vice President, and cabinet. Both the president and the vice president are elected by the Congress from among the four senators on a 4-year term. The cabinet comprises the vice president and the heads of the eight executive departments.

Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Congress (14 seats).

Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court.

 There is no formal political party in Micronesia. Voting rights are giver universally at the age of 18.

President      Manny Mori

Vice President      Alik L. Alik

Secretary of Foreign Affairs    Lorin Robert

Speaker of the Congress    Isaac V. Figir

Ambassador to the United States   Yosiwo George

Permanent Representative to the UN   Masao Nakayama

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Federated States of Micronesia is composed of 4 states: Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), and Yap.

CULTURE:- The four states of Micronesia have their unique cultural and traditional traits while maintaining their centuries-old cultural bond.

ECONOMY:- The economy of Micronesia is hugely dependent on subsistence farming and fishing. In the Compact of Free Association of 1986, the US provided $1.3 billion as grant aid during the period from 1986 to 2001, though the aid was gradually reduced. In the amended version of the Compact of Free Association of 2004, the United States ensures the Federated States of Micronesia millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and also establishes a Trust Fund into which the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia will contribute annually to provide annual payouts to the Federated States of Micronesia in perpetuity after 2023.

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%.

Debt - external:   

$60.8 million (FY05 est.)

Budget:  

Revenues: $127.3 million ($69 million less grants)

Expenditures: $144.2 million (FY05 est.)

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).

Currency: US dollar (USD)

LANGUAGE:- English, Ulithian, Woleaian, Yapese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, and Chuukese are the official languages of Micronesia. Pingelapese, Ngatikese, Satawalese, Kapingamarangi language, Nukuoro language, Puluwatese, and Mokilese are also spoken.

CITIES:- Capital of Micronesia is Palikir while the largest city is Weno. Other major cities are Kolonia, Colonia, Lelu.

POPULATION:- The estimated population of the Federated States of Micronesia is 107,862 with an average growth rate of –0.2.

Density per sq mi: 398

Literacy rate: 89% (1980 est.)

RACE:-

Chuukese 48.8%

Pohnpeian 24.2%

Kosraean 6.2%

Yapese 5.2%

Yap outer islands 4.5%

Asian 1.8%

Polynesian 1.5%

Other 6.4%

Unknown 1.4% (2000)

RELIGION:-

Roman Catholic 50%

Protestant 47%

Other 3%

HEALTH:-

Birth rate: 23.66 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 4.53 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.65 years

Infant mortality rate: total: 27.03 deaths/1,000 live births

Total fertility rate: 2.98 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 539

UNICEF:- UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme fights against violence against children. UNICEF and its partners provide psychosocial support to social, environmental or political conflict-affected children. UNICEF’s Adolescent Development and Child Health Programme promotes awareness on HIV among the youth, trains the youth to enhance their skills. Teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and trafficking of children are the major issues with the country and thanks to UNICEF that these issues are being openly discussed. UNICEF supplies vaccines at a low cost. UNICEF partners with civil registrars and health ministries to assist them in birth registration.

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).