Micronesia
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, and Yap, and the island of Kosrae. The federal
capital is Palikir, on Pohnpei.
The indigenous population consists of various ethno-linguistic
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. |
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Ancestors of the Micronesians settled the Caroline Islands over
4,000 years ago. A decentralized chieftain-based system eventually
evolved into a more centralized economic and religious empire based
principally in Yap and Pohnpei. European explorers--first the
Portuguese in search of the Spice Islands and then the
Spanish--reached the Carolines in the 16th century, with the Spanish
establishing sovereignty. The current FSM passed to German control
in 1899, and then through the Treaty of Versailles to the Japanese
in 1919. Following World War II, these islands became part of the
United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, administered
by the United States.
On May 10, 1979, four of the Trust Territory districts ratified a
new constitution to become the Federated States of Micronesia. The
neighboring trust districts of Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the
Northern Mariana Islands chose not to participate. The FSM signed a
Compact of Free Association with the United States in 1986. An
Amended Compact entered into force in June 2004. |
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