Federated States of Micronesia

Insular Area Summary for the Federated States of Micronesia

Political Status

082509_fsm The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) emerged from the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) which the United States administered on behalf of the United Nations from 1947 until 1978. The FSM adopted its own constitution and became an independent country in 1979; it entered into a Compact of Free Association with the United States in 1986 and became a member of the United Nations in 1991. The first financial package of the Compact covered 15 years, from 1986 to 2001. Under provisions of the Compact, the Compact was extended for two years while the United States and the FSM completed negotiations for a new financial package in 2003, covering 2003-2023 ( PDF Format ). A Trust Fund was also created to contribute to the long-term budgetary self-reliance of the FSM when the financial grant provisions of the Compact expire in 2023. Under the Compact, the United States provides financial assistance, defends the FSM’s territorial integrity, and provides uninhibited travel for FSM citizens to the U.S. In return, the FSM provides the United States with unlimited and exclusive access to its land and waterways for strategic purposes. The close ties between the United States and the FSM that go back to the end of World War II are also reflected in the fact that hundreds of FSM citizens serve in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and further their education in the United States. The FSM also uses the U.S. dollar as its currency.

IImmigration & Employment Status of Citizens of the FSM in the U.S.

Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Palau Are Eligible to Work in the United States Indefinitely.
Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and Palau are admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants when admitted under the terms of those nations’ respective Compacts of Free Association with the United States. These three countries are sometimes referred to collectively as the “Freely Associated States.” more

Political Leaders

President: Emanuel “Manny” Mori
Vice President: Alik L. Alik
Speaker of the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia: Isaac V. Figir

The United Nations and Bilateral Relations

Pohnpei is the largest and tallest island in the FSM.

The Federated States of Micronesia was welcomed into the United Nations on September 17, 1991 and currently has diplomatic relations with 56 countries ( PDF Format ) plus the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta. Included among the 56 countries with which the FSM has diplomatic relations are the USA, Japan, China, Israel, France, Italy, Australia, India, Canada, Russia, Ireland, Switzerland, Argentina and two of its cousins of the former U.S. Trust Territory, Palau and Marshall Islands. The FSM is an active member of the Pacific Islands Forum and also holds annual meetings on common concerns with the governments of Palau and Marshalls on an annual basis.

There are four countries with resident diplomatic missions in Micronesia: Australia, China, Japan and the USA. Micronesia has overseas diplomatic missions (embassies) in Washington, D.C., Tokyo and Suva, Fiji, a permanent mission at the United Nations in New York and two consulate offices in Guam and Honolulu.

In 2004, Pohnpei, FSM was chosen to be the host of the Tuna Commission Headquarters or the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. In 2006, the Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community formalized with the FSM President establishment of an SPC Regional Office in the FSM.

Distances from places

Washington DC: 7,710 miles
Honolulu: 3,200 miles
Tokyo: 2,300miles
Guam: 1,500 miles

Population & Demography

Total population: 108,000
Chuukese: 48.8%
Pohnpeian: 24.2%
Kosraean: 6.2%
Yapese: 5.2%
Other islanders: 4.5%
Asian: 1.8%
Other (mixed): 9.0%

Preparing Coconut Drink, Iohl, Palikir

Economy & Income Sources

Estimated GDP: $238.1 million
Per capita GDP: $ 2,205
U.S. per capita GDP: $45,800
Compact Aid
Compact aid: $81.7 million (FY 07)
Other Federal grants: $15.3 million (FY 07)
Tourism by origin
Total visitor arrivals: 21,015
From the United States: 8,056
Europe: 3,901
Canada: 1,867
Philippines: 1,837
Other Asia: 1,325
Services
Government services
Other services