Statistical information Federated States of Micronesia 1999

Federated States of Micronesia in the World
top of pageBackground: In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia a UN Trust Territory under US administration adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment overfishing and overdependence on US aid.
top of pageLocation: 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 reference:
OceaniaAreaTotal: 702 km²
Land: 702 km²
Water: 0 km²
Note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Truk (Chuuk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae
Comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 6,112 km
Maritime claimsExclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 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 Truk
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: Totolom 791 m
Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land useArable land: NA%
Permanent crops: NA%
Permanent pastures: NA%
Forests and woodland: NA%
Other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA km²
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
GeographyNote: four major island groups totaling 607 islands
top of pagePopulation: 131,500 (July 1999 est.)
Growth rate: 3.3% (1999 est.)
NationalityNoun: Micronesian(s)
Adjective: Micronesian; Kosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s), Trukese, Yapese
Ethnic groups: nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups
Languages: English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other and none 3%
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 3.3% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 27.32 births/1000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 6.01 deaths/1000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 11.65 migrant(s)/1000 population (1999 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: NA
International agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
International agreements signed but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Air pollutantsSex ratioMothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 33.99 deaths/1000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 68.48 years
Male: 66.52 years
Female: 70.48 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.87 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 89%
Male: 91%
Female: 88% (1980 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia
Conventional short form: none
Former: Kosrae, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
Abbreviation: FSM
Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986
Capital: Palikir
Administrative divisions: 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap
Dependent areasIndependence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
National holiday: Proclamation of the Federated States of Micronesia, 10 May (1979)
Constitution: 10 May 1979
Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: President Jacob NENA (acting president since NA July 1996, president since 9 May 1997); Vice President Leo A. FALCAM (since 9 May 1997); note_the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Vice President Jacob NENA became acting president in July 1996 after President Bailey OLTER suffered a stroke; OLTER was declared incapacitated in November 1996; as provided for by the constitution, 180 days later, with OLTER still unable to resume his duties, NENA was sworn in as the new president; he will serve for the remaining two years of OLTER's term
Head of government: President Jacob NENA (acting president since NA July 1996, president since 9 May 1997); Vice President Leo A. FALCAM (since 9 May 1997); note_the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Vice President Jacob NENA became acting president in July 1996 after President Bailey OLTER suffered a stroke; OLTER was declared incapacitated in November 1996; as provided for by the constitution, 180 days later, with OLTER still unable to resume his duties, NENA was sworn in as the new president; he will serve for the remaining two years of OLTER's term
Cabinet: Cabinet
Elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators-at-large for four-year terms; election last held 11 May 1995 (next to be held NA May 1999); note_because of the vacancy to the post of vice president created after NENA left to become acting president, a new election to fill the position of vice president for the remaining two years of the term was held on 9 May 1997 (next to be held NA May 1999)
Election results: Bailey OLTER reelected president; percent of Congress vote_NA; Leo A. FALCAM elected vice president; percent of Congress vote_NA
Legislative branch: unicameral Congress (14 seats; members elected by popular vote; four_one elected from each of state_to serve four-year terms and 10_elected from single-member districts delineated by population_to serve two-year terms)
Elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 7 March 1995 (next to be held 2 March 1999); elections for two-year term seats last held 3 March 1997 (next to be held NA March 1999)
Election results: percent of vote_NA; seats_independents 14
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, Intelsat, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representationIn the us chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU
In the us chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20,036
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 223-4,383
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 223-4,391
In the us consulates general: Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Ann WRIGHT
From the us embassy: address NA, Kolonia
From the us mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96,941
From the us telephone: [691] 320-2,187
From the us FAX: [691] 320-2,186
Flag description
: light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. 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 billion in the islands in the 1990s. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are major impediments to long-term growth.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 1% (1996 est.)
Real gdp per capitaGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture productsIndustriesIndustrial production growth rateLabor forceUnemployment rateYouth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetTaxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal yearInflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExportsImportsReserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt externalStock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange ratestop of pageElectricityCoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephonesTelephone systemBroadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresMilitary and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirportsHeliportsPipelinesRailwaysRoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marinePorts and terminalstop of pageDisputes internationalRefugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs