Micronesia, Federated States of

Micronesia, Federated States of Background

In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.

Micronesia, Federated States of Information

• Population: 108,155 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
• Location:: Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
• Religions:: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%
• Ethnic Groups:: nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups
• Land Boundaries:: 0 km
• Area: total: 702 sq km note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie) water: 0 sq km (fresh water only) land: 702 sq km
• Coast Line: 6,112 km
• Climate: tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
• Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk
• Maritime Claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
• Land Use: arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 45.71% other: 48.58% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: overfishing, climate change, pollution
• Natural Resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals
• Highways: total: 240 km paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (1999 est.)
• Railways:
• Ports & Harbours: Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen
• Airports: 6 (2003 est.)