Fun Easy English - Travel abroad Micronesia.

OFFICIAL NAME: Federated States of Micronesia

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is composed of four states, named after their main islands, and dozens of atolls extending over a large area of the north central Pacific.

The four states are: Pohnpei (formerly Ponape), Kosrae (formerly Kusaie), Chuuk (formerly Truk) and Yap. The federal capital is located at Palikir, on the island of Pohnpei, close to its largest city, Kolonia. The FSM is a constitutional democracy, and is party to a Compact of Free Association with the United States.

GEOGRAPHY

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) consists of 607 islands extending 1,800 miles across the archipelago of the Caroline Islands east of the Philippines. The four states are the island groups of Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap, and Kosrae. The federal capital is Palikir, on Pohnpei.

PEOPLE

The indigenous population consists of various ethnolinguistic groups. English has become the common language. The birth rate remains high at more than 3%, but the population of the four states remains almost constant due to emigration.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

U.S. citizens require a U.S. passport, a completed FSM Immigration Arrival and Departure Record (FSM Form 5004), and a completed FSM Customs Form to enter the FSM. The passport must be valid for at least 120 days beyond the date of entry into the FSM. The FSM Immigration Arrival and Departure Record and Customs Form are distributed by the air carrier prior to arrival at the point of entry. There is no limit to the length of time U.S. citizens and nationals may remain in the FSM. All states except Yap levy a departure fee. A health certificate may be required if the traveler is arriving from an infected area.

The U.S. Embassy in Kolonia does not issue U.S. passports; passport applications are accepted from persons living or traveling in the FSM and forwarded to the Honolulu Passport Agency in Hawaii for processing. The U.S. Passport Office in Guam does not issue U.S. passports, but it does accept passport applications and forwards them to Hawaii.

QUICK FACTS

Geography
Area: 702 sq. km (about 270 sq. mi.) in four major island groups (Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap and Kosrae).
Cities: Capital--Palikir. Other cities--Kolonia, Weno, Colonia, Lelu.
Terrain: 607 mountainous islands and low-lying coral atolls.
Climate: Tropical.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Micronesian.
Population: 108,000.
Growth rate: 0.26%.
Ethnic groups: Nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups.
Religion: Roman Catholic 53%, Protestant 42.4%, others 4.6%.
Language: English, and nine ethnic languages.
Education: Literacy--91%.
Health: Life expectancy--male 65.6 yrs.; female 66.9 yrs. Infant mortality rate--40.4/1,000.
Work force: More than one-half of workers are government employees.

Government
Type: Constitutional confederation in free association with the U.S. The first Compact of Free Association entered into force in 1986, and an Amended Compact entered into force June 30, 2004.
Independence (from U.S.-administered UN trusteeship): November 3, 1986.
Constitution: May 10, 1979.
Branches: Executive--President (chief of state and head of government), cabinet. Legislative--unicameral Congress with 14 seats. Judicial--Supreme Court.
Major political parties: No formal parties.

Economy (FY 2004 figures)
GDP: $218 million.
GDP per capita (nominal): $2,018.
National income (GDP + foreign assistance): $360 million.
National income per capita: $3,100.
GDP composition by sector: services 77%, agriculture 19%, industry 4%.
Industry: Types--fishing, agriculture, tourism.
Trade: Exports ($14 million)--fish, kava, betel nut. Export market--Japan (21%), US (25%), others (53%), U.S. Imports ($133 million)--food, manufactured goods, fuel. Import sources--U.S. (50%), Japan (11%), others (39%).
External debt: $ 60.81 million.
Currency: U.S. dollar.

USEFUL LINKS

U.S. Government