Micronesia, Federated States of

Internet country code

.fm

Internet users

6,000 (2002)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)

Telephone system

general assessment: adequate system domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; cellular service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)

Telephones - main lines in use

10,100 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1,800 (2002)

Television broadcast stations

3; note - cable TV also available (2004)

Agriculture - products

black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens

Budget

revenues: $161 million ($69 million less grants) expenditures: $160 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1998 est.)

Currency

US dollar (USD)

Currency code

USD

Debt - external

$53.1 million (FY02/03 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US pledged $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001

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 remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. In November 2002, the country experienced a further reduction in future revenues from the Compact of Free Association - the agreement with the US in which Micronesia received $1.3 billion in financial and technical assistance over a 15-year period until 2001. 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.

Electricity - consumption

NA kWh

Electricity - production

NA kWh

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$22 million (f.o.b.) (FY99/00 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish, garments, bananas, black pepper

Exports - partners

Japan, US, Guam (2000)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP

purchasing power parity - $277 million note: GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 50% industry: 4% services: 46% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports

$149 million f.o.b. (FY99/00 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages

Imports - partners

US, Australia, Japan (2000)

Industrial production growth rate

NA

Industries

tourism, construction, fish processing, specialized aquaculture, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1% (2002 est.)

Labor force

NA (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

two-thirds are government employees

Population below poverty line

26.7%

Unemployment rate

16% (1999 est.)

Area

total: 702 sq km land: 702 sq km water: 0 sq km (fresh water only) note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)

Area - comparative

four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)

Climate

tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage

Coastline

6,112 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m

Environment - current issues

overfishing, climate change, pollution

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

6 55 N, 158 15 E

Geography - note

four major island groups totaling 607 islands

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 45.71% other: 48.58% (2001)

Location

Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

typhoons (June to December)

Natural resources

forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals

Terrain

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

Administrative divisions

4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap

Capital

Palikir

Constitution

10 May 1979

Country name

conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia conventional short form: none former: Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) abbreviation: FSM

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Suzanne K. HALE embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941 telephone: [691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); Vice President Redley KILLION (11 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government 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 2003 (next to be held NA May 2007); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed election results: Joseph J. URUSEMAL elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA; Redley KILLION elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA

Flag description

light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern

Government type

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

Independence

3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)

International organization participation

ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Legal system

based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

Legislative branch

unicameral Congress (14 seats; four - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote) elections: elections for four-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007); elections for two-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2005) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 14

National holiday

Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)

Political parties and leaders

no formal parties

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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 US, which was amended and renewed in 2003. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.

Military - note

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a sovereign, self-governing state in free association with the US; FSM is totally dependent on the US for its defense

Age structure

0-14 years: 37.7% (male 20,830; female 19,993) 15-64 years: 59.2% (male 32,055; female 31,927) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 1,505; female 1,845) (2004 est.)

Birth rate

25.8 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate

4.97 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Ethnic groups

nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 31.28 deaths/1,000 live births male: 34.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Languages

English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 69.44 years male: 67.68 years female: 71.29 years (2004 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male: 91% female: 88% (1980 est.)

Nationality

noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese

Net migration rate

-20.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population

108,155 (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.02% (2004 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.37 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Airports

6 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Highways

total: 240 km paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (1999 est.)

Merchant marine

none (2004 est.)

Ports and harbors

Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen