The Federated States of Micronesia are a constitutional government in free association with the United States, located in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Papua New Guinea.

The Federated States of Micronesia were formerly part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, a United Nations Trust Territory under US administration. In 1979 they adopted a constitution, and 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 U.S. aid.

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 US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.  The 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 centered on Yap. European explorers--first the Portuguese in search of the Spice Islands (Indonesia) 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, then to the Japanese in 1914, and finally to the U.S. under UN auspices in 1947 as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

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 became independent and signed a Compact of Free Association with the U.S. in 1986.

Located in Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia.  It’s size is about four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only).  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 Yap, Chuuk (called Truk until January 1990), Pohnpei (called Ponape until November 1984), and Kosrae. The federal capital is Palikir, on Pohnpei.  The indigenous population, which is predominantly Micronesian, consists of various ethnolinguistic groups. English has become the common language. Population growth remains high at more than 3%, ameliorated somewhat by net emigration.

As far as the climate goes, it is considered tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage.  The terrain on the islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk.  English is the official and common language, and in addition, the languages of Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi are spoken here.

The government type is constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004.   The economy 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 remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. The Amended Compact of Free Association with the US guarantees the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and the FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual payouts to the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the slow growth of the private sector. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure remain major impediments to long-term growth.

The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia conducts its own foreign relations. Since independence, the FSM has established diplomatic relations with a number of nations, including most of its Pacific neighbors. Regional cooperation through various multilateral organizations is a key element in its foreign policy. The FSM became a member of the United Nations in 1991.

The local fruit and produce is wonderful, but you may not find it in a grocery store. The island is covered with the best bananas, yet the stores sell mouldy bananas imported from South America. It doesn't make sense, but that's the way it is. You want papaya, mango, banana, fresh fish? You need to meet somebody, because everyone either has a small farm or has a cousin who does, and other than poaching, there's no other way you're going to get it.

 Places to See

Chuuk is one of the four island states that comprise the Federated States of Micronesia, the other three being Pohnpei, Kosrae and Yap. Chuuk, in the Caroline Islands, encompasses fifteen large islands, 192 outer islands and 80 islets and has one of the largest lagoons in the world. It measures 85 kilometers at its widest point and encloses an area of 822 square miles. What lies beneath the blue waters is a submerged museum of World War 2 wrecks, for there are more than 60 ships of the Japanese wartime fleet encrusted with corals lying at various depths. On them are fighter planes still in transport, trucks still lashed to the decks of freighters and officer's china and utensils with brand names still recognizable.

Kosrae is unique among the Micronesian Islands because it is a solitary island surrounded by a reef, whereas the other islands have small islands in close proximity.

The second largest island in the FSM, Kosrae is a sleepy backwater paradise for active travellers who enjoy tramping through rainforests, paddling through mangroves, or snorkelling coral reefs.

Kosrae is unique among the Micronesian Islands because it is a solitary island surrounded by a reef, whereas the other islands have small islands in close proximity.

The second largest island in the FSM, Kosrae is a sleepy backwater paradise for active travellers who enjoy tramping through rainforests, paddling through mangroves, or snorkelling coral reefs.

POHNPEI is the largest island in the Eastern Caroline group and the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). It fits the typical South Sea island image with its lush vegetation and abundant rainfall washing into streams, rivers and tumbling waterfalls. Unlike other Micronesian islands it has tropical jungles, mist covered mountains, mangrove swamps and exotic flora.

 Part of the Federated States of Micronesia, Yap is situated in the Western Caroline, between Guam and Palau. It is off the main tourist route and is made up of four main islands - Yap Proper, Tamil - Gagil, Maap and Rumung, plus ten small islands all within the boundaries of a beautiful coral reef.

What is the Weather Forecast ?

WEATHER CONDITIONS:

Moderate Tropical Temperatures:

•           Daytime........85 - 90 ºF

•           Night............70 - 75 ºF

Humidity: 65 - 75%, average

Water Temperature Year round: 83 - 86ºF

Winds:

•           December through April.......NE Trade Winds 10 - 15 knots

•           May through November.......Light variables

Rainfall: 4 - 6 inches per month, average