Federated States of Micronesia
11448
225158753
2008-07-12T05:19:35Z
71.205.170.70
/* Defense arrangements */
{{about|the sovereign state in Oceania|the region named "Micronesia"|Micronesia}}
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = Federated States of Micronesia
|common_name = Federated States of Micronesia
|image_flag = Flag of Micronesia.svg
|image_coat = Fm CoA.jpg
|symbol_type = Coat of arms
|image_map = LocationMicronesia.png
|national_motto = Peace Unity Liberty
|national_anthem = ''[[Patriots of Micronesia]]''
|official_languages = [[English language|English]] (national; local languages are used at state and municipal levels)
|demonym = Micronesian
|capital = [[Palikir]]
|latd=6 |latm=55 |latNS=N |longd=158 |longm=9 |longEW=E
|largest_city = [[Weno]]
|government_type = [[representative democracy|Democratic]] [[Federated]] [[Presidential system|Presidential]] [[Republic]]
|leader_title1 = [[President of the Federated States of Micronesia|President]]
|leader_title2 = [[Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia|Vice President]]
|leader_name1 = [[Manny Mori]]
|leader_name2 = [[Alik L. Alik]]
|area_rank = 188th
|area_magnitude = 1 E8
|area_km2 = 702
|area_sq_mi = 271 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|percent_water = negligible
|population_estimate = 107,862
|population_estimate_rank = 181st
|population_estimate_year = July 2007
|population_census = 107,000
|population_census_year = 2000
|population_density_km2 = 154
|population_density_sq_mi = 399 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank = 66th
|GDP_PPP = $277 million² <!--cia.gov 2005-->
|GDP_PPP_rank = 215th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2002
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $2,000
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 180th
|sovereignty_type = Independence
|sovereignty_note = from [[United States|US]]-administered [[Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands|UN Trusteeship]]
|established_event1 = Date
|established_date1 = [[3 November]] [[1986]]
|HDI = n/a
|HDI_rank = n/a
|HDI_year = 2003
|HDI_category = <font color="gray">unranked</font>
|currency = [[United States dollar]]
|currency_code = USD
|country_code =
|time_zone =
|utc_offset = +10 and +11
|time_zone_DST = not observed
|utc_offset_DST = +10 and +11
|cctld = [[.fm]]
|calling_code = 691
|footnote1 = In free association with the [[United States]].
|footnote1 = GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging around $100 million annually (2002 estimate).
|footnote2 = 2002 estimate.
}}
The '''Federated States of Micronesia''' is an [[island nation]] located in the [[Pacific Ocean]], north of [[Papua New Guinea]]. The country is a [[sovereign state]] in [[Associated state|free association]] with the [[United States]]. The Federated States of Micronesia were formerly part of the [[Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands]], a [[United Nations]] Trust Territory under U.S. administration. In 1979 they adopted a [[constitution]], and in 1986 independence was attained under a [[Compact of Free Association]] with the United States.
The Federated States of Micronesia are located in the region known as [[Micronesia]], which consists of hundreds of small islands divided in seven territories. The term ''Micronesia'' may refer to the Federated States or to the region as a whole, even though the lack of a central government makes it a sovereign group of states, not a country.
== History ==
{{main|History of the Federated States of Micronesia}}
The ancestors of the Micronesians settled over four thousand years ago. A decentralized chieftain-based system eventually evolved into a more centralized economic and religious [[Micronesian Empire|empire]] centered on [[Yap]].
[[Nan Madol]], consisting of a series of small [[artificial island]]s linked by a network of canals, is often called the Venice of the Pacific. It is located near the island of [[Pohnpei]] and used to be the ceremonial and political seat of the Saudeleur dynasty that united Pohnpei's estimated 25,000 people from about [[Anno Domini|AD]] 500 until 1500, when the centralized system collapsed.
European explorers — first the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] in search of the [[Spice Islands]] ([[Indonesia]]) and then the [[Spain|Spanish]] — reached the [[Carolines]] in the sixteenth century, with the Spanish establishing sovereignty. It was sold to [[Germany]] in 1899, conquered by [[Japan]] in 1914, before being seized by the [[United States]] during [[World War II]] and administered by the US under [[United Nations]] auspices in 1947 as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
During World War II, a significant portion of the [[Japan]]ese fleet was based in [[Truk Lagoon]]. In February 1944, [[Operation Hailstone]], one of the most important naval battles of the war, took place at Truk, in which many Japanese support vessels and aircraft were destroyed.
On [[May 10]], [[1979]], four of the Trust Territory districts ratified a new constitution to become the Federated States of Micronesia. [[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|United States of America]], which entered into force on [[November 3]], [[1986]], marking Micronesia's emergence from trusteeship to independence. The Compact was renewed in 2004.
== Politics ==
{{main|Politics of the Federated States of Micronesia}}
The Federated States of Micronesia are governed by the 1979 constitution, which guarantees fundamental human rights and establishes a separation of governmental powers. The unicameral Congress 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. The President and Vice President are elected by Congress 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. The president and vice president are supported by an appointed cabinet. There are no formal political parties.
In international politics, the Federated States of Micronesia has always voted on the side of the United States with respect to [[United Nations General Assembly]] resolutions.<ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/UN/UN_votes.html "Top Ten Countries that Vote with the United States at the UN"] (''[[Jewish Virtual Library]]'', 1997) lists Micronesia at the top of the list at 100 per cent.</ref>
== Administrative divisions ==
The four states in the federation are:
{| class="wikitable"
!Flag
!State
!Capital
!Land area<ref>[http://www.fsmgov.org/info/geog.html FSM government website - Geography]</ref>
!Population<ref>[http://www.fsmgov.org/info/people.html FSM government website - Population]</ref>
!Population density
|---
|[[Image:Flag of Chuuk.svg|50px|Flag of Chuuk]] || '''[[Chuuk]]''' || [[Weno]] || 127 km² || 53,595 || 420 per km²
|---
|[[Image:Flag of Kosrae.png|50px|Flag of Kosrae]] || '''[[Kosrae]]''' || [[Tofol]] || 110 km² || 7,686 || 70 per km²
|---
|[[Image:Flag of Pohnpei.png|50px|Flag of Pohnpei]] || '''[[Pohnpei]]''' || [[Kolonia]] || 346 km² || 34,486 || 100 per km²
|---
|[[Image:Yap flag.svg|50px|Flag of Yap]] || '''[[Yap]]''' || [[Colonia, Yap|Colonia]] || 118 km² || 11,241 || 95 per km²
|}
These states are further divided into [[municipality|municipalities]].
== Geography ==
[[Image:CIA-FSM.jpg|thumb|right|425px|Map of the Federated States of Micronesia]]
{{main|Geography of the Federated States of Micronesia}}
The Federated States of Micronesia consists of 607 islands extending {{convert|1800|mi|km}} <!--format per WP:MOSNUM -->(2,900 km) across the archipelago of the [[Caroline Islands]] east of the [[Philippines]]. The four constituent island groups are [[Yap]], [[Chuuk]] (called Truk until January 1990), [[Pohnpei]] (known as "Ponape" until November 1984), and [[Kosrae]] (formerly Kusiae). These four states are each represented by a white star on the national flag. The capital is [[Palikir]], on Pohnpei.
The country has seven official languages: [[English language|English]], <!--cia.gov-->[[Ulithian language|Ulithian]], [[Woleaian language|Woleaian]], [[Yapese language|Yapese]], [[Pohnpeian language|Pohnpeian]], [[Kosraean language|Kosraean]], and [[Chuukese language|Chuukese]].
The other languages spoken in Micronesia are [[Pingelapese]], [[Ngatikese]], [[Satawalese]], [[Kapingamarangi language|Kapingamarangi Language]], [[Nukuoro Language]], [[Puluwatese]], and [[Mokilese]].
== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of the Federated States of Micronesia}}
Economic activity of the Federated States of Micronesia consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. Long line tuna fishing is also viable with foreign vessels from [[Taiwan]] and [[China]] operated in the 1990s. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remoteness of the location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development. Financial assistance from the US is the primary source of revenue, with the US pledged to spend $1.3 billion in the islands in 1986-2001. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are major impediments to long-term growth.
The nation uses the US dollar as their currency.
== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of the Federated States of Micronesia}}
The indigenous population of the Federated States of Micronesia, which is predominantly Micronesian, consists of various ethnolinguistic groups. It has a nearly 100% Pacific Islander and Asian 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%. Many Micronesians are known to have some [[Japanese people|Japanese]] ancestry, which is a result of intermarriages between Japanese settlers and Micronesians during the Japanese colonial period.<ref>[http://www.fsmgov.org/press/pr12120a.htm President Emanuel Mori Meets With Japan Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda]; [http://www.aesonline.org/3056 AESonline.org]</ref><ref>[http://www.pacificmagazine.net/issue/2005/09/01/a-reluctant-power A Reluctant Power]</ref>
There is a growing population of Americans, Australians, Europeans, and residents from China and the Philippines. [[English language|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. Population growth remains high at more than 3% annually, offset somewhat by net emigration.
Pohnpei is notable for the prevalence of the extreme form of [[color blindness]] known as [[maskun]].
== Culture ==
[[Image:Yap Stone Money.jpg|thumb|A large (approximately 8 feet (2.4 m) in height) example of Yapese stone money in the village of Gachpar.]]
{{seealso|Music of the Federated States of Micronesia}}
Each of the four States has its own culture and traditions, but there are also common cultural and economic bonds that are centuries old. For example, cultural similarities like the importance of the traditional extended family and clan systems can be found on all the islands.
The island of Yap is notable for its "stone money" ([[Rai stones]]), large disks usually of calcite, up to 12 [[foot (unit of length|feet]] (4 m) 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'', and ''Reng'', the last being only 1 foot (0.3 m) in diameter. Their value is based on both size and history, many of them having been brought from other islands, as far as [[New Guinea]], but most coming in ancient times from [[Palau]]. Approximately 6,500 of them are scattered around the island.
==Defense arrangements==
The FSM is a sovereign, self-governing state in [[Associated state|free association]] with the [[United States]], which is [[Military of the United States|wholly responsible]] for its defense. The Division of Maritime Surveillance operates a paramilitary Maritime Wing and a small [[Maritime Police]] Unit.
The Compact of Free Association allows FSM citizens to join the U.S. military without having to obtain U.S. permanent residency or citizenship. <ref>[http://www.us-army-info.com/pages/pdfs/enlistment_standards.pdf U.S. Military Enlistment Standards]</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Communications in the Federated States of Micronesia]]
* [[Foreign relations of the Federated States of Micronesia]]
* [[List_of_wettest_tropical_cyclones_by_country#Federated_States_of_Micronesia|List of wettest tropical cyclones to affect the Federated States of Micronesia]]
* [[Scouting in the Federated States of Micronesia]]
* [[Transport in the Federated States of Micronesia]]
* [[List of countries without an army]]
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
==References==
# US-CIA. [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fm.html CIA - The World Factbook: Federated States of Micronesia]. ''The World Factbook''. United States of America: Central Intelligence Agency. 2003.
# [http://www.bilet-v-cirk.ru/history_Federated_States_of_Micronesia.html History_Federated_States_of_Micronesia]
==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Brower |first=Kenneth |title=Micronesia: The Land, the People, and the Sea |authorlink= |coauthors=Harri Peccinotti |year=1981 |publisher=Louisiana State University Press |location=Baton Rouge |isbn=0807109924 }}
*{{cite journal |last=Darrach |first=Brad |authorlink= |coauthors=David Doubilet |year=1995 |month= |title=Treasured Islands |journal=Life |volume= |issue=August 1995 |pages=46–53 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote= }}
*{{cite journal |last=Falgout |first=Suzanne |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1995 |month= |title=Americans in Paradise: Anthropologists, Custom, and Democracy in Postwar Micronesia |journal=Ethnology |volume=34 |issue=Spring 1995 |pages=99–111 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote=|doi=10.2307/3774100 }}
*{{cite journal |last=Friedman |first=Hal M. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1993 |month= |title=The Beast in Paradise: The United States Navy in Micronesia, 1943–1947 |journal=Pacific Historical Review |volume=62 |issue=May 1993 |pages=173–195 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote= }}
*{{cite journal |last=Friedman |first=Hal M. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1994 |month= |title=Arguing over Empire |journal=Journal of Pacific History |volume=29 |issue=1994 |pages=36–48 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote=|doi=10.1080/00223349408572757 }}
*{{cite book |last=Hanlon |first=David |title=Remaking Micronesia: Discourses over Development in a Pacific Territory, 1944–1982 |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1998 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |location=Honolulu |isbn=0824818946 }}
*{{cite journal |last=Hezel |first=Francis X. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1995 |month= |title=The Church in Micronesia |journal=America |volume=18 |issue=February 1995 |pages=23–24 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote= }}
*{{cite book |last=Kluge |first=P. F. |title=The Edge of Paradise: America in Micronesia |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1991 |publisher=Random House |location=New York |isbn=0394581784 }}
*{{cite journal |last=Malcomson |first=S. L. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1989 |month= |title=Stranger than Paradise |journal=Mother Jones |volume=14 |issue=January 1989 |pages=19–25 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote= }}
*{{cite journal |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |year= |month= |title=Micronesia: A New Nation |journal=U.S. News & World Report |volume= |issue=October 15, 1984 |pages=80–81 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote= }}
*{{cite journal |last=Parfit |first=Michael |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2003 |month= |title=Islands of the Pacific |journal=[[National Geographic]] |volume=203 |issue=March 2003 |pages=106–125 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote= }}
*{{cite journal |last=Patterson |first=Carolyn Bennett |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1986 |month= |title=In the Far Pacific: At the Birth of Nations |journal=National Geographic |volume=170 |issue=October 1986 |pages=460–500 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote= }}
*{{cite journal |last=Peoples |first=James G. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1993 |month= |title=Political Evolution in Micronesia |journal=Ethnology |volume=32 |issue=Winter 1993 |pages=1–17 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote=|doi=10.2307/3773542 }}
*{{cite journal |last=Rainbird |first=Paul |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2003 |month= |title=Taking the Tapu: Defining Micronesia by Absence |journal=Journal of Pacific History |volume=38 |issue=September 2003 |pages=237–250 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote=|doi=10.1080/0022334032000120558 }}
*{{cite journal |last=Schwalbenberg |first=Henry M. |authorlink= |coauthors=Thomas Hatcher |year=1994 |month= |title=Micronesian Trade and Foreign Assistance |journal=Journal of Pacific History |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=95–104 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote=|doi=10.1080/00223349408572762 }}
== External links ==
{{sisterlinks}}
'''Government'''
* [http://www.fsmgov.org Government of the Federated States of Micronesia]
'''General'''
* [http://www.janeresture.com/fedmic/index.htm Jane's Federated States of Micronesia Home Page]
* [http://libweb.hawaii.edu/digicoll/ttp/ttpi.html Trust Territory of the Pacific Archives] at the University of Hawaii
* [http://www.paclii.org/databases.html#FM Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute - ''Federated States of Micronesia'']
* [http://nature.org/wherewework/asiapacific/micronesia/ Nature.org - Micronesia] environmental conservation
* [http://dmoz.org/Regional/Oceania/Micronesia,_Federated_States_of Open Directory Project - ''Federated States of Micronesia''] directory category
* [http://www.mymicronesia.com 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]] is US-based charity that serves educational needs in the more remote atolls of Micronesia. <ref>"Habele Fund Awards FSM Scholarships" Pacific Magazine Online, August 4, 2007.[http://www.pacificmagazine.net/news/2007/08/04/habele-fund-awards-fsm-scholarships]</ref>
'''News media'''
* [http://www.yapnetworker.com The Yap Networker] - Yap's news source
'''Travel'''
* [http://www.southpacific.org/micro.html Moon Handbooks Micronesia]
* [http://www.anytravels.com/australia/micronesia/ Travel Overview of Micronesia]
'''Maps'''
* [http://www.mapsouthpacific.com/micronesia/index.html Map of Micronesia]
* [http://www.uoregon.edu/~wsayres/NanMadol.html Nan Madol islet complex] Provides computer based reconstruction of the main islets and features.
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<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Federal countries]]
[[Category:Federated States of Micronesia| ]]
[[Category:Freely associated states|Micronesia]]
[[Category:Archipelagoes|Micronesia]]
[[Category:Island countries|Micronesia]]
[[Category:Former Spanish colonies]]
[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
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[[ar:ولايات ميكرونيسيا المتحدة]]
[[an:Estatos Federatos de Micronesia]]
[[ast:Estaos Federaos de Micronesia]]
[[zh-min-nan:Micronesia Liân-pang-kok]]
[[be:Федератыўныя Штаты Мікранезіі]]
[[be-x-old:Фэдэратыўныя Штаты Мікранэзіі]]
[[bg:Микронезия (държава)]]
[[ca:Estats Federats de Micronèsia]]
[[cs:Federativní státy Mikronésie]]
[[cy:Taleithiau Ffederal Micronesia]]
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[[et:Mikroneesia Liiduriigid]]
[[el:Ομόσπονδες Πολιτείες της Μικρονησίας]]
[[es:Estados Federados de Micronesia]]
[[eo:Federacio de Mikronezio]]
[[eu:Mikronesiako Estatu Federatuak]]
[[fa:ایالات فدرال میکرونزی]]
[[fr:Micronésie (pays)]]
[[ga:Stáit Chónaidhme na Micrinéise]]
[[gv:Steatyn Conastit y Vynneeys]]
[[gl:Estados Federados de Micronesia - Federated States of Micronesia]]
[[ko:미크로네시아 연방]]
[[hr:Savezne Države Mikronezije]]
[[io:Mikronezia]]
[[id:Federasi Mikronesia]]
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[[it:Stati Federati di Micronesia]]
[[he:מיקרונזיה]]
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[[pam:Federated States of Micronesia]]
[[kk:Микронезия Федерациялық Штаттары]]
[[kw:Statys Kesunys Mikronesi]]
[[ht:Mikwonezi (peyi)]]
[[lv:Mikronēzija (valsts)]]
[[lt:Mikronezijos Federacinės Valstijos]]
[[lij:Micronesia]]
[[hu:Mikronéziai Szövetségi Államok]]
[[mk:Федерални Држави на Микронезија]]
[[ms:Persekutuan Micronesia]]
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[[pt:Estados Federados da Micronésia]]
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