The country's total land area is relatively small, but its waters occupy nearly 3 million km2 (1.2 million sq mi) of thePacific Ocean, giving the country the 14th-largestexclusive economic zone in the world.[8][9] The nation's capital isPalikir, onPohnpei Island, and its largest city isWeno, an island municipality in theChuuk Lagoon.
Each of its four states is centered on one or more mainvolcanic islands, and all but Kosrae include numerous outlyingatolls. The FSM spreads across part of theCaroline Islands in the wider region ofMicronesia, which region consists of thousands of small islands divided among several countries. The termMicronesia may refer to the Federated States of Micronesia or to the region as a whole.
The FSM was a part of the formerTrust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), aUnited Nations Trust Territory administered by theUnited States from 1947 to 1994. On May 10, 1979, the islands ratified a constitutional government and then became a sovereign state after attaining independence on November 3, 1986—under aCompact of Free Association with the United States. Other neighboring island entities (also former members of the TTPI), also formed constitutional governments, becoming theRepublic of the Marshall Islands and theRepublic of Palau. The FSM has a seat in the United Nations and has been a member of thePacific Community since 1983.
The ancestors of theMicronesians settled over four thousand years ago.[10] A decentralized chieftain-based system eventually evolved into a more centralized economic and religious culture centered onYap Island.[11]
Nan Madol, aUNESCOWorld Heritage Site, consisting of a series of smallartificial islands linked by a network of canals, is often called the Venice of the Pacific. It is located on the eastern periphery of the island of Pohnpei and used to be the ceremonial and political seat of theSaudeleur dynasty that united Pohnpei's estimated 25,000 people from aboutAD 500 until 1500 when the centralized system collapsed.[11]
European explorers—first thePortuguese in search of theSpice Islands (Indonesia) and then theSpanish—reached theCarolines in the sixteenth century. TheTreaty of Tordesillas gave these lands toSpain and the Spanish incorporated the archipelago to theSpanish East Indies through the capital,Manila, and in the 19th century established several outposts and missions. In 1887, they founded the town ofSantiago de la Ascensión in what today isKolonia on the island of Pohnpei.
In the 1870s, Germany began extending its sphere of influence in the Caroline Islands, leading to theCarolines Question of 1885 in whichPope Leo XIII was asked to determine if Germany or Spain had authority over the islands. The result was a confirmation of Spanish authority over the islands, but Germany would have free access to the islands.[12]
Following defeat in theSpanish–American War, the Spanish sold the archipelago toGermany in 1899 under theGerman–Spanish Treaty of 1899. Germany incorporated it intoGerman New Guinea. (A few remote islands, notablyKapingamarangi, were not specifically named in the treaty, but this remained unnoticed until the late 1940s and, while acknowledging the historical curiosity in 1949, Spain has made no modern claims to the islands.[13][14])
Truk Lagoon served as a significant base for theImperial Japanese Navy duringWorld War II. In February 1944, theU.S. Navy launchedOperation Hailstone, a massive air and surface attack on Truk Lagoon. Over two days, U.S. carrier aircraft and surface vessels targeted Japanese warships, merchant vessels, and shore installations, resulting in the sinking of numerous ships and the destruction of hundreds of aircraft. This operation severely diminished Japan's naval capabilities in the Pacific.[16][17]
On May 10, 1979, four of the Trust Territory districtsratified a newconstitution to become the Federated States of Micronesia.Palau, theMarshall Islands, and theNorthern Mariana Islands chose not to participate. The FSM signed aCompact of Free Association with the United States, which entered into force on November 3, 1986, marking Micronesia's emergence from trusteeship to independence. Independence was formally concluded under international law in 1990, when the United Nations officially ended the Trusteeship status pursuant toSecurity Council Resolution 683. The Compact was renewed in 2004.[20][15][21]
In February 2021, due to a bitter leadership dispute, the Federated States of Micronesia announced it would quit thePacific Islands Forum in its formal process of withdrawal. However, in June 2022, the Suva Agreement was reached and the Federated States of Micronesia agreed to remain in the forum.[22][15]
The Federated States of Micronesia is governed by the1979 constitution, which guarantees fundamental human rights and establishes a separation of governmental powers. This constitution structures the national government to be similar to—but not exactly like—that of the United States. The unicameralCongress has fourteen members elected by popular vote. Four senators—one from each state—serve four-year terms; the remaining ten senators represent single-member districts based on population and serve two-year terms. Congress elects thePresident andVice President from among the four state-based senators to serve four-year terms in the executive branch. Their congressional seats are then filled by special elections.
An appointed cabinet supports the president and vice president. There are no formal political parties.
Sea Hawk helicopter (US Navy) flies over the waters of Chuuk, Micronesia.
In international politics, the Federated States of Micronesia has often voted with the United States concerningUnited Nations General Assembly resolutions.[23]
The FSM is a sovereign, self-governing state infree association with theUnited States of America, which is wholly responsible for its defense. TheFSM National Police operates a Maritime Wing Unit. The Compact of Free Association allowsFSM citizens to join the U.S. military without having to obtain U.S. permanent residency or citizenship,[24] allows for immigration and employment for Micronesians in the U.S., and establishes economic and technical aid programs.
A view of Kolonia Town from Sokehs Ridge inPohnpei
The Federated States of Micronesia consists of 607islands extending 2,900 km (1,802 mi) across thearchipelago of theCaroline Islands east of thePhilippines. The islands have a combined area of 702 km2 (271 sq mi).[31]
The islands are grouped into four states, which areYap,Chuuk (called Truk until January 1990),Pohnpei (known as "Ponape" until November 1984), andKosrae (formerly Kusaie).[38][39] These four states are each represented by a white star on the national flag. The capital isPalikir, on Pohnpei.
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, hosting approximately 3,025 animal species and 1,553 plant species.[42]The diversity of terrestrial plants and animals within the FSM varies from east to west due to differences in climate, geology, topography, and geographical isolation.[43][44][45]
Over 457 plant species have been introduced to the islands of the FSM byearly Micronesians and subsequent settlers.[46] The FSM comprises 607 islands extending 2,900 km across theCaroline Islands, with a combined area of 702 km². The FSM has 58Key Biodiversity Areas.[46]
The region is characterized by thousands of isolated small coral atolls and higher volcanic islands, contributing to its high biodiversity.[47] The FSM's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan outlines efforts to protect and conserve its rich biodiversity.[48] The FSM's marine biodiversity is under pressure due to growing population demands, leading to increased degradation of marine resources.[49]
The Federated States of Micronesia has atropical rainforest climate (Köppen:Af). The weather is warm, humid and rainy all year round. The islands are located north of the equator and are affected by constant trade winds, which temper the climate. Minimum temperatures range all year round between 22 and 25 °C, and maximum temperatures between 30 and 32 °C.[50] The abundant precipitations oscillate between 2500 and 5000 mm per year, although in the faces oriented to thewind they can surpass 6000 mm. Mount Nahnalaud, only 750 m high, on the island of Pohnpei, receives an average of 10,160 mm, being one of the rainiest places on earth, with almost always overcast skies.[51] In general, the rains are produced by showers and storms of short duration but very intense. The driest places are the flat atolls, where rainfall can drop below 3,000 mm. The driest months are January and February, with no less than 250 mm and 20 days of rain.[51]
Climate patterns in the FSM are also affected by theEl Niño-Southern Oscillation, leading to considerable variability in weather conditions from year to year. DuringEl Niño events, the region may experience increased rainfall and storm activity, whileLa Niña events can bring drier conditions and potential droughts.[52]
Economic activity in the Federated States of Micronesia consists primarily ofsubsistence farming andfishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-gradephosphate.Long line fishing oftuna is also viable with foreign vessels fromChina that operated in the 1990s. The potential for atourist industry exists, but the remoteness of the location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development.Financial assistance from the U.S. is the primary source of revenue, with the U.S. pledged to spend $1.3 billion in the islands in 1986–2001; when the Compact was amended in 2004, the United States committed to providing $110 million in development aid through 2023.[58] TheCIA World Factbook lists high dependence on U.S. aid as one of the main concerns of the FSM.[31] Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are major impediments to long-term growth.[59]
People performing a welcome ceremony on theUlithi atoll
The indigenous population of the nation, which is predominantlyMicronesian, consists of various ethnolinguistic groups. It has a nearly 100% Pacific Islander andAsian population: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%. A sizable minority also have someJapanese ancestry, which is a result of intermarriages between Japanese settlers and Micronesians during the Japanese colonial period.[60]
There is also a growing expatriate population of Americans, Australians, Europeans, and residents from China and the Philippines since the 1990s.English has become the common language of the government, and for secondary and tertiary education. Outside of the main capital towns of the four FSM states, the local languages are primarily spoken. In the Catholic mission ofPohnpei, among the Mercedarian missionaries, considered an institution in the country,Spanish is also spoken. Growth remains high at more than 3% annually, offset somewhat by net emigration.
Cathedral of Ponape Belltower, in Kolonia, on the island of Pohnpei, built in 1909 by German Capuchin missionaries
The people of the Federated States of Micronesia are 97%Christian.[62] More than half of the population follows the Catholic Church (55%)[62] and about 42%[62] follow various Protestant Christian groups. In general this is due toSpanish and German colonial history. Spanish rule meant that a large part of the population remained Catholic. During theGerman colonial period, until 1914, Catholic and Protestant missionaries from the German Empire were deployed. SeveralProtestant denominations, as well as theRomanCatholic Church, are present in every Micronesian state.[63] Most Protestant groups trace their roots to American Congregationalist missionaries.[63] On the island of Kosrae, the population is approximately 7,800; 95 percent are Protestants.[63] OnPohnpei, the population of 35,000 is evenly divided between Protestants and Catholics. Most immigrants are Filipino Catholics who have joined local Catholic churches, e.g. Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Pohnpei.[63]
In the 1890s, on the island of Pohnpei, intermissionary conflicts and the conversion of clan leaders resulted in religious divisions along clan lines which persist today.[63] More Protestants live on the western side of the island, while more Catholics live on the eastern side.[63]Missionaries of many religious traditions are present and operate freely.[63] The Constitution provides forfreedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice.[63] The US government received no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice in 2007.[63]
A large (approximately 2.4 m or about 8 ft in height) example of Yapese stone money (Rai stones) in the village of Gachpar
Each of the four states has its own culture and traditions, but there are also common cultural and economic bonds that are centuries old. Cultural similarities include the importance of the traditional extended family and clan systems and are found on all the islands.
The island of Yap is notable for its "stone money" (Rai stones), large disks usually of calcite, up to 4 meters (13 ft) in diameter, with a hole in the middle. The islanders, aware of the owner of a piece, do not necessarily move them when ownership changes. There are five major types:Mmbul,Gaw,Ray,Yar, andReng, the last being only 30 cm (12 in) in diameter. Their value is based on both size and history, many of them having been brought from other islands, as far asNew Guinea, but most coming in ancient times fromPalau. Approximately 6,500 of them are scattered around the island.
Yapese men dancing in traditional dressA shop in Pohnpei selling traditional souvenirs
Traditional dances on the main islands includes "stick dancing" onPohnpei,Chuuk andYap, standing dances onChuuk and sitting dances on Yap[72] andChuuk. The Yapese are particularly known for their skills in dancing. The Yapese stick dance is performed by men, women and children together, while standing dances are performed either by women or men and boys, but never both together. The men participate in various dancing competitions, which are segregated bycaste; the lower castes have some distinct dances, such as a woman's standing dance, but can only dance when authorized by a person of a higher caste.[73]
There have been very few published literary writers from the Federated States of Micronesia.[78] In 2008,Emelihter Kihleng became the first ever Micronesian to publish a collection of poetry in the English language.[79]
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myMicronesia.com Online resource center about the islands of Micronesia. Provides free listings and links to all Micronesian businesses, as well as civic, cultural, health and educational organizations.
Habele.org - Outer Islands Information about the remote islands and atolls outside the four state capitals of Micronesia from an educational nonprofit.
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