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 (code)

US dollar (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; the level of aid has been subsequently reduced

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. 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.

Electricity - consumption

178.6 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

192 million kWh (2002)

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

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

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, phosphate

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 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 March 2007); elections for two-year term seats last held 8 March 2005 (next to be held March 2007) 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 2004. 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

Military branches

no ministry of defense and no standing armed forces; the paramilitary Maritime Wing, a small maritime law enforcement unit, is responsible to the Division of Maritime Surveillance within the Office of the Attorney General (2003)

Age structure

0-14 years: 37.1% (male 20,439/female 19,674) 15-64 years: 59.8% (male 32,382/female 32,313) 65 years and over: 3% (male 1,461/female 1,836) (2005 est.)

Birth rate

25.11 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate

4.87 deaths/1,000 population (2005 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: 30.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 69.75 years male: 67.96 years female: 71.62 years (2005 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

-21.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Population

108,105 (July 2005 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.08% (2005 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%

Sex ratio

NA

Total fertility rate

3.25 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Airports

6 (2004 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

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,423 GRT/1,551 DWT by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 1 foreign-owned: 2 (United States 2) (2005)

Ports and harbors

Tomil Harbor