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Australia-Oceania :: Micronesia, Federated States of

- ## Introduction :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

- Background:
  The Caroline Islands are a widely scattered archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean; they became part of a UN Trust Territory under US administration following World War II. The eastern four island groups adopted a constitution in 1979 and chose to become the Federated States of Micronesia. (The westernmost island group became Palau.) Independence came in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association with the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, overdependence on US foreign aid, and state perception of inequitable allocation of US aid.

- ## Geography :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

- Location:
  Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
  Geographic coordinates:
  6 55 N, 158 15 E
  Map references:
  Oceania
  Area:
  total: 702 sq km
  land: 702 sq km
  water: 0 sq km (fresh water only)
  note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)
  country comparison to the world: 191
  Area - comparative:
  four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  6,112 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
  Terrain:
  islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m
  Natural resources:
  timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 25.5%
  arable land 2.3%; permanent crops 19.7%; permanent pasture 3.5%
  forest: 74.5%
  other: 0% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  NA
  Natural hazards:
  typhoons (June to December)
  Environment - current issues:
  overfishing, climate change, pollution
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  four major island groups totaling 607 islands

- ## People and Society :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

- Nationality:
  noun: Micronesian(s)
  adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
  Ethnic groups:
  Chuukese/Mortlockese 49.3%, Pohnpeian 29.8%, Kosraean 6.3%, Yapese 5.7%, Yap outer islanders 5.1%, Polynesian 1.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 0.8% (2010 est.)
  Languages:
  English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
  Religions:
  Roman Catholic 54.7%, Protestant 41.1% (includes Congregational 38.5%, Baptist 1.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 0.8%, Assembly of God .7%), Mormon 1.5%, other 1.9%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)
  Population:
  105,216 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 193
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 31.34% (male 16,761/female 16,215)
  15-24 years: 20% (male 10,576/female 10,469)
  25-54 years: 38.41% (male 19,583/female 20,827)
  55-64 years: 6.72% (male 3,494/female 3,580)
  65 years and over: 3.53% (male 1,660/female 2,051) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 62.4%
  youth dependency ratio: 55.3%
  elderly dependency ratio: 7.1%
  potential support ratio: 14.1% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 23.8 years
  male: 23.2 years
  female: 24.4 years (2014 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  -0.46% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 220
  Birth rate:
  20.54 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Death rate:
  4.23 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Net migration rate:
  -20.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 220
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 22.4% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 0.27% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  PALIKIR (capital) 7,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 21.18 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 23.46 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 18.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 81
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 72.62 years
  male: 70.59 years
  female: 74.75 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 136
  Total fertility rate:
  2.49 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 78
  Health expenditures:
  12.6% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 6
  Physicians density:
  0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
  Hospital bed density:
  3.2 beds/1,000 population (2009)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 94.8% of population
  rural: 87.4% of population
  total: 89% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 5.2% of population
  rural: 12.6% of population
  total: 11% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 85.1% of population
  rural: 49% of population
  total: 57.1% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 14.9% of population
  rural: 51% of population
  total: 42.9% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  33.2% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 12
  Education expenditures:
  NA

- ## Government :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia
  conventional short form: none
  local long form: Federated States of Micronesia
  local short form: none
  former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts
  abbreviation: FSM
  Government type:
  constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004
  Capital:
  name: Palikir
  geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E
  time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
  Independence:
  3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
  National holiday:
  Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
  Constitution:
  drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979; amended 1990 (2012)
  Legal system:
  mixed legal system of common and customary law
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Peter M. CHRISTIAN (since 12 May 2015); Vice President Yosiwo P. GEORGE (since 12 May 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Peter M. CHRISTIAN (since 12 May 2015); Vice President Yosiwo P. GEORGE (since 12 May 2015)
  cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments
  elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by Congress from among the 4 'at large' senators for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 May 2011 (next to be held in May 2015)
  election results: Peter M. CHRISTIAN elected president by Congress; Yosiwo P. GEORGE elected vice president
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Congress (14 seats; 10 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms and 4 directly elected from each of the 4 states by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)
  elections: last held on 5 March 2013 (next to be held in March 2015)
  election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 14
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and not more than 5 associate justices and organized into appellate and criminal divisions)
  judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the president of the Federated States of Micronesia with the approval of two-thirds of Congress; justices appointed for life
  subordinate courts: the highest state-level courts are: Chuuk Supreme Court; Korsae State Court; Pohnpei State Court; Yap State Court
  Political parties and leaders:
  no formal parties
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  NA
  International organization participation:
  ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Asterio R. TAKESY (since 13 January 2012)
  chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
  telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383
  FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391
  consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Dorothea-Maria (Doria) ROSEN (since 9 August 2012)
  embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia
  mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941; U.S. Embassy in Micronesia, 4120 Kolonia Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-4120
  telephone: [691] 320-2187
  FAX: [691] 320-2186
  Flag description:
  light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the stars represent the four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap
  National symbol(s):
  four, five-pointed, white stars on a light blue field; national colors: light blue, white
  National anthem:
  name: "Patriots of Micronesia"
  lyrics/music: unknown
  note: adopted 1991; also known as "Across All Micronesia"; the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song "Ich hab mich ergeben", which was the West German national anthem from 1949-1950; variants of this tune are used in Johannes Brahms' "Festival Overture" and Gustav Mahler's "Third Symphony"

- ## Economy :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

- Economy - overview:
  Economic activity consists largely of subsistence farming and fishing, and government, which employs two-thirds of the adult working population and receives funding largely - 58% in 2013 – from Compact of Free Association assistance provided by the US. The islands have few commercially valuable mineral deposits. The potential for tourism is limited by isolation, lack of adequate facilities, and limited internal air and water transportation. Under the terms of the original Compact, the US provided $1.3 billion in grants and aid from 1986 to 2001. The US and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) negotiated a second (amended) Compact agreement in 2002-2003 that took effect in 2004. The amended Compact runs for a 20-year period to 2023; during which the US will provide roughly $2.1 billion to the FSM. The amended Compact also develops a Trust Fund for the FSM that will provide a comparable income stream beyond 2024 when Compact grants end. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile because of dependence on US assistance and lackluster performance of its small and stagnant private sector.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $312 million (2014 est.)
  $311.7 million (2013 est.)
  $324.8 million (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2013 US dollars; GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually
  country comparison to the world: 216
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $315 million (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  0.1% (2014 est.)
  -4% (2013 est.)
  0.1% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $3,000 (2014 est.)
  $3,000 (2013 est.)
  $3,100 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 184
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 83.5%
  government consumption: 41.8%
  investment in fixed assets: 24.3%
  investment in inventories: 0%
  exports of goods and services: 26.6%
  imports of goods and services: -76.2% (2013 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 26.3%
  industry: 18.9%
  services: 54.8% (2013 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  taro, yams, coconuts, bananas, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sakau (kava), Kosraen citrus, betel nuts, black pepper, fish, pigs, chickens
  Industries:
  tourism, construction; specialized aquaculture, craft items (shell and wood)
  Industrial production growth rate:
  NA%
  Labor force:
  37,920 (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 214
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 0.9%
  industry: 5.2%
  services: 93.9%
  note: two-thirds of the labor force are government employees (2013 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  16.2% (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 168
  Population below poverty line:
  26.7% (2000 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  61.1 (2013 est.)
  Budget:
  revenues: $213.8 million
  expenditures: $192.1 million (FY12/13 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  63% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  6.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 18
  Public debt:
  28% of GDP (2013)
  27% of GDP (2012)
  Fiscal year:
  1 October - 30 September
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  0.7% (2014 est.)
  6.3% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 51
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  7.1% (2013 est.)
  6.4% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 47
  Stock of narrow money:
  $196 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  Stock of broad money:
  $225.2 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $56.98 million (2013 est.)
  $56.77 million (31 December 2011 est.)
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Current account balance:
  -$31.6 million (2013 est.)
  -$41.2 million (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 66
  Exports:
  $88.3 million (2013 est.)
  $95.7 million (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 204
  Exports - commodities:
  fish, sakau (kava), betel nuts, black pepper
  Imports:
  $258.5 million (2013 est.)
  $263.4 million (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Imports - commodities:
  food, beverages, clothing, computers, household electronics, appliances, manufactured goods, automobiles, machinery and equipment, furniture, tools
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $75.06 million (31 December 2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 167
  Debt - external:
  $93.6 million (2013 est.)
  $93.5 million (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 193
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $15.8 million (2013 est.)
  $34.4 million (2012 est.)
  Exchange rates:
  the US dollar is used

- ## Energy :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

- Electricity - production:
  192 million kWh (2002)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  Electricity - consumption:
  178.6 million kWh (2002)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 146
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  18,000 kW (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  1% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  3% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014)
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2014)
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2014)
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014)
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014)
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2014)
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  105 Mt (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 213

- ## Communications :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 7,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 204
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 31,400
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 208
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: adequate system
  domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; mobile-cellular service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap
  international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)
  Broadcast media:
  no TV broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel cable service with TV transmissions carrying roughly 95% imported programming and 5% local programming; about a half dozen radio stations (2009)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)
  Television broadcast stations:
  3 (cable TV also available) (2004)
  Internet country code:
  .fm
  Internet users:
  total: 29,900
  percent of population: 28.3% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 196

- ## Transportation :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

- Airports:
  6 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 173
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 6
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
  914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 388 km
  paved: 184 km
  unpaved: 204 km (2015)
  country comparison to the world: 208
  Merchant marine:
  total: 3
  by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Colonia (Tomil Harbor), Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor

- ## Military :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

- Military branches:
  no regular military forces (2012)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 26,712 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 22,008
  females age 16-49: 23,501 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 1,276
  female: 1,253 (2010 est.)
  Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of the US

- ## Transnational Issues :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

- Disputes - international:
  none
  Illicit drugs:
  major consumer of cannabis

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