Background: 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.

Map reference: Oceania

Area
Total area total: 702 km²
Land: 702 km²
Comparative: slightly less than four times the size of Washington, DC
Note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Truk (Chuuk), Yap, and Kosrae

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 6,112 km

Maritime claims
Exclusive 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 occasional severe damage

Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Truk

Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals

Land use
Arable land: NA%
Permanent crops: NA%
Meadows and pastures: NA%
Forest and woodland: NA%
Other: NA%

Irrigated land: NA km²

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Population: 122,950 (July 1995 est.)
Growth rate: 3.35% (1995 est.)

Nationality
Noun: 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%

Age structure
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: 3.35% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: 28.12 births/1000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate: 6.3 deaths/1000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate: 11.65 migrant(s)/1000 population (1995 est.)

Environment
Current issues: NA
Current issues natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
Current issues international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea

Infant mortality rate: 36.52 deaths/1000 live births (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 67.81 years
Male: 65.84 years
Female: 69.81 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.98 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
Total population: 89%
Male: 91%
Female: 88%

Country name
Conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia
Conventional short form: none
Former: Kosrae, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)

Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986

Capital: Kolonia (on the island of Pohnpei)
Note: a new capital is being built about 10 km southwest in the Palikir valley

Administrative divisions: 4 states; Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk), Yap

Independence: 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

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Chief of state and head of government: President Bailey OLTER (since 21 May 1991); Vice President Jacob NENA (since 21 May 1991); election last held 11 May 1991 (next to be held 7 March 1995); results - Bailey OLTER elected president; Jacob NENA elected vice-president
Cabinet: Cabinet

Legislative branch: unicameral
Congress: elections last held 5 March 1991 (next to be held 7 March 1995); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (14 total) independents 14

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, ITU, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO

Diplomatic representation
In the us chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse B. 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 March Fong EU
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

Economy 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 growth rate: 4% (1994)

Real gdp per capita: $1,500 (1990 est.)

Agriculture products: mainly a subsistence economy; black pepper; tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava, sweet potatoes, pigs, chickens

Industries: tourism, construction, fish processing, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: NA
By occupation: two-thirds are government employees
Note: 45,000 people are between the ages of 15 and 65

Unemployment rate: 27% (1989)

Budget
Revenues: $45 million
Expenditures: $31 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95 est.)

Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September

Exports: $3.2 million (f.o.b., 1990)
Commodoties: fish, copra, bananas, black pepper
Partners: Japan, US

Imports: $91.2 million (c.i.f., 1990)
Commodoties: food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages
Partners: US, Japan, Australia

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: US currency is used

Electricity
Capacity: 18,000 kW
Production: 40 million kWh
Production consumption per capita: 380 kWh (1990)

Telephone system: 960 telephones on Kolonia and Truk
Local: NA
Intercity: islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes
International: 4 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth stations

Airports: 6
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 4
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 1
With paved runways under 914 m: 1

Merchant marine: none

Disputes international: none