Federated States of Micronesia

Politics:

• Background

  Micronesia: Politics

  FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

  The FSM is in free association with the US

  The states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) are Kosrae, Yap, Pohnpei and Chuuk. They agreed to federate in 1979 and the federation ceased to be part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (administered by the US) in 1986, when the FSM became an independent state in free association with the US. Under the Compact of Free Association signed in 1986, the US is responsible for defence and the provision of regular economic assistance. FSM citizens also have the right to tap into US federal programmes and serve in the US military.

  The federal legislature is the Congress, comprising 14 popularly elected members. Congress elects the president, who in turn selects members to serve in the cabinet. Following congressional elections in March 2007, the members of the new Congress elected Immanuel Mori as president, replacing Joseph Urusemal. Each of the four states has an elected governor and a unicameral legislature. Faichuk, a collection of nine islands and municipalities, hoped to secede from Chuuk state to become the FSM's fifth separate state from January 2006. However, independent statehood requires the consent of the US Congress, which has not yet been given.

  November 24, 2009

Economy:

• Background

  Micronesia: Resources and infrastructure

  FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

  The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) comprises 607 islands stretching over 2,900 km. Only 65 of these islands are inhabited. The most recent estimate from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) puts the population at 108,000 in 2008. Approximate state populations in September 2004 were: Chuuk, 53,595; Kosrae, 7,886; Pohnpei, 34,692; and Yap, 11,241.

  The tourism industry is growing

  Continental Air Micronesia, a subsidiary of US-based Continental, provides the only air services to FSM, with connections on a number of islands via Honolulu, Hawaii (US) and Guam. There are international airports in each state and a few airstrips in the outer islands. There is a reasonable road system on most of the important islands and a variety of shipping services. All state centres in the FSM have deep harbours capable of handling most commercial shipping needs.

  November 24, 2009

Country Briefing

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

Land area

702 sq km

Population

108,100 (2008 FSM Division of Statistics estimate)

Major islands

Kosrae, Yap, Pohnpei, Chuuk

Capital

Palikir (Pohnpei)

Climate

Tropical

Weather in Palikir

Temperatures average 27°C year round. There is rainfall all year, with the interior of Pohnpei receiving the most rain. The country is located on the southern edge of a typhoon belt

Languages

English and eight indigenous languages

Measures

Imperial

Currency

The US currency (US$) is currently used

Time

10 hours ahead of GMT (Chuuk, Yap); 11 hours ahead of GMT (Pohnpei, Kosrae)

November 24, 2009