Federated States of Micronesia

At a glance Land People Economy Achievements and challenges Links with Australia Federated States of Micronesia at a glance Did you know? The Federated States of Micronesia are made up of a total of 607 islands. Region Pacific Population 107,862 (July 2007 est.) Land Geography: High mountainous islands and low coral atolls Climate: Tropical People Religion: Christian (97%), Indigenous other (3%) Language: English, plus 8 indigenous languages Economy GDP per person (PPP): $2,300 (2005 est.) GDP by sector: agriculture (28.9%), industry (15.2%) and services (55.9%) (2004 est.) Government Constitutional Government in free association with US ; Land Physical geography The Federated States of Micronesia are located north of the equator just north of Papua New Guinea. There are 607 separate islands, spread over an area of 3 million square kilometres of ocean with a total land mass of 702 square kilometres (The Australian Capital Territory covers 805.6 square kilometres). It includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie) islands which range from high and mountainous volcanic islands to low coral atolls. The highest point is Mt Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 metres. Climate The climate in Micronesia is tropical with heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands. Islands on southern edge, such as Kapingamarangi, are in the cyclone belt and often experience severe storm damage to towns, homes, industry and the environment. Environment The Federated States of Micronesia have huge natural resources. These include forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, and phosphate. On the largest island in the Pohnpei group there is an extraordinary array of plants and animals. This one island is the home to 767 plant species, 111 of which are found nowhere else on earth. Over-fishing, exploitation of natural resources, climate change, and pollution are all environmental threats which face the islands. Cyclones occur annually. People The largest cities are the capital city of Palikir (6,230) and Kolonia (5,680) in the Pohnpei group. People Culture and identity The Federated States of Micronesia are made up of several ethnic groups each with their own language, culture and traditions. These groups include 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%) and unknown (1.4%) (2000 census). There are common cultural traditions such as in the importance of the traditional extended family and clan systems. English is the official and most commonly spoken language of the Federated States of Micronesia. Health Infant mortality rate is around 28.15 deaths for every 1,000 live births. The average life expectancy is 70.35 years of age, with males averaging 68.52 years and females 72.28 years (2007 est.) Most people, 94%, have access to clean drinking water but only 28% have access to sanitation facilities. Prevalent diseases include tick-borne typhus, malaria, dysentery, dengue fever, typhoid fever and Hepatitis A and B. Religion and beliefs About 97% of the Micronesian population are Christian, with Roman Catholic (50%) and Protestant (47%). Indigenous religions and other Christian religions make up the other 3%. Food and shelter Micronesian food is very diverse. Seafood including fish, shellfish and shrimp as well as fruits and vegetables like breadfruit, bananas, pandanus and taro are eaten regularly Economy Wealth and poverty Subsistence fishing and farming are the main economic activites and lead to about one-quarter of the population living below the poverty line. Education and work Education is compulsory for children aged 6 - 14 and about 89% of the population, 91% male and 88% female can read and write. Three quarters of the employed population are government employees. Industries and products Agriculture produces black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca), sakau (kava), betel nuts, sweet potatoes, pigs, chickens and fish. Major industries of Micronesia include tourism, construction, fish processing, specialized aquaculture and production of craft items from shell, wood, and pearls. Trade Export commodities consist of fish, garments, bananas, black pepper, sakau (kava), and betel nut. Micronesia's main export partners are Japan (21.4%) and the United States of America (24.3%). Imports consist of food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages. Import partners are the United States of America (50%), Japan (11.5%) and Australia (11.5%). Achievements and challenges The Federated States of Micronesia is committed to protecting 30% of marine areas and 20% of forest areas by 2020. These protected areas represent 20% of the Pacific islands region and will protect 10% of the world's reef areas, including 462 coral species (which represents 58% of all known corals). The development of the tourist industry is inhibited by the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections. Other concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid. Links with Australia Australian aid to the Federated States of Micronesia focuses on governance, scholarships, technical assistance, small grants and building up the border-management system. Australia has provided three Pacific Patrol Boats and supports its maritime surveillance. Australia is one of the FSM's main sources of imports after the US. Australian exports to the FSM totalled A$8.3 million in 2006-07. Principal exports were live animals and meat. Australia's imports from the FSM totalled A$5,000 in 2006-07; and included tyres and jewellery. Main sources: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/fsm/index.html

A view of Pohnpei © FSM Government, photo by Matt Maradol