World Facts Index
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, which was amended and renewed in
2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and
overdependence on US aid.
Geography of Micronesia
|
Location:
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Oceania, island group in
the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to
Indonesia |
|
Coordinates:
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6 55 N, 158 15 E |
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Area:
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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 |
|
Area comparative:
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four times the size of
Washington, DC (land area only) |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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6,112 km |
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Maritime claims:
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exclusive economic zone:
200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical; heavy year-round
rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of
the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage |
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Terrain:
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islands vary geologically
from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic
outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk |
|
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m |
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Natural resources:
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forests, marine products,
deep-seabed minerals |
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Natural hazards:
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typhoons (June to December) |
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Environment current issues:
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overfishing, climate
change, pollution |
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Geography - note:
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four major island groups
totaling 607 islands
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Population of Micronesia
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Population:
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107,665 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 36.6% (male 20,116/female 19,391)
15-64 years: 60.4% (male 32,620/female 32,659)
65 years and over: 3% (male 1,413/female 1,805) |
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Median age:
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20.9 years |
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Growth rate:
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-0.11% |
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Infant mortality:
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29.16 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 70.05 years
male: 68.24 years
female: 71.95 years |
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Fertility rate:
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3.16 children born/woman |
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Nationality:
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noun: Micronesian(s)
adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese |
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Ethnic groups:
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nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian
groups |
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Religions:
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Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47% |
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Languages:
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English (official and common language),
Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi |
|
Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read
and write
total population: 89%
male: 91%
female: 88%
|
Government
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Federated
States of Micronesia
abbreviation: FSM
former: Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) |
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Government type:
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constitutional government in free association with the US;
the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact
entered into force May 2004 |
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Capital:
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Palikir |
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Administrative divisions:
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4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie),
Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap |
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Independence:
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3 November 1986 (from the US-administered
UN Trusteeship) |
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National holiday:
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Constitution Day, 10 May (1979) |
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Constitution:
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10 May 1979 |
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Legal system:
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based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts
of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President Emanuel MORI
(since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice
President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the eight
executive departments
elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among
the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term);
election last held 11 May 2007 (next to be held May 2011); note - a proposed
constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice
president failed. |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each
state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by
population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote)
|
|
Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court |
Economy
Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing.
The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade
phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote
location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder
development. Under the original terms of the Compact of Free Association, the
US provided $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the level
of aid has been subsequently reduced. The Amended Compact of Free Association
with the US guarantees the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of
dollars in annual aid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which
the US and the FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual
payouts to the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term
economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US
assistance but also to the current slow growth of the private sector.
|
GDP:
|
purchasing power parity -
$277 million
note: GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100
million annually (2002 est.) |
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GDP growth rate:
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1% (2002 est.) |
|
GDP per capita:
|
purchasing power parity -
$2,000 (2002 est.) |
|
GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 50%
industry: 4%
services: 46% (2000 est.) |
|
Inflation rate:
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1% (2002 est.) |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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two-thirds are government
employees |
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Unemployment:
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16% (1999 est.) |
|
Budget:
|
revenues: $161
million ($69 million less grants)
expenditures: $160 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1998 est.) |
|
Industries:
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tourism, construction, fish
processing, specialized aquaculture, craft items from shell, wood, and
pearls |
|
Agriculture:
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black pepper, tropical
fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, sweet
potatoes; pigs, chickens |
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Exports:
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fish, garments, bananas,
black pepper |
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Export partners:
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Japan, US, Guam |
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Imports:
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food, manufactured goods,
machinery and equipment, beverages |
|
Import partners:
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US, Australia, Japan |
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Currency:
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US dollar (USD) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |