 |
Micronesia
|
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 (2008 est.): 107,673 (growth
rate: –0.1); birth rate: 23.6/1000; infant mortality rate:
27.1/1000; life expectancy: 70.6; density per sq km: 153
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%
National Holiday:
Constitution Day, May 10
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
|
|
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, © 2008 Pearson
Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
More on Micronesia from Infoplease:
- Micronesia - Micronesia Micronesia , one of the three main divisions of Oceania, in W Pacific Ocean, north of ...
- Micronesia - World—Country Profiles U.S. Department of State Background Note Micronesia GEOGRAPHY AND ...
- Micronesia: meaning and definitions - Micronesia: Definition and Pronunciation
- Micronesia - Map of Micronesia & articles on flags, geography, history, statistics, disasters current events, and international relations.
- Federated States of Micronesia - Micronesia, Federated States of Micronesia, Federated States of, independent nation (2005 est. pop. ...
|
|
