Federated States of Micronesia
constitutional government in free association withIndependence 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN
Federated States of Micronesia as the 1997 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 90 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about | three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
18 fieldsLocation
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Climate
- tropical;
- heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands;
- located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
Terrain
islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Truk
Environment - international agreements
- party to :
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
- signed, but not ratified:
- none of the selected agreements
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1997 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- NA male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- NA male(s)/female 15-64 years : NA male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- NA male(s)/female
- total population:
- NA male(s)/female
Government
Constitutional government in free association with; President Jacob NENA (acting president since NA July 1996, president since 9 May 1997); President Jacob NENA (acting president since NA July 1996, president since 9 May 1997)
20 fieldsCongress, 14 seats, elected 7 March 1995one dot, one seat
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- conventional short form:
- none
- former:
- Kosrae, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
- abbreviation:
- FSM
Government type
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986
National capital
Kolonia (on the island of Pohnpei) note: a new capital is being built about 10 km southwest in the Palikir valley
Legal system
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Jacob NENA (acting president since NA July 1996, president since 9 May 1997);
- Vice President Leo A. SALCAM (since 9 May 1997);
- note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government;
- Vice President Jacob NENA became acting president in July 1996 after President Bailey OLTER suffered a stroke;
- OLTER was declared incapacitated in November 1996;
- as provided for by the constitution, 180 days later, with OLTER still unable to resume his duties, NENA was sworn in as the new president;
- he will serve for the remaining two years of OLTER's term
- head of government:
- President Jacob NENA (acting president since NA July 1996, president since 9 May 1997);
- Vice President Leo A. SALCAM (since 9 May 1997);
- note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government;
- Vice President Jacob NENA became acting president in July 1996 after President Bailey OLTER suffered a stroke;
- OLTER was declared incapacitated in November 1996;
- as provided for by the constitution, 180 days later, with OLTER still unable to resume his duties, NENA was sworn in as the new president;
- he will serve for the remaining two years of OLTER's term
- 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 1995 (next to be held NA May 1999);
- note - because of the vacancy to the post of vice president created after NENA left to become acting president, a new election to fill the position for the remaining two years of the term was held on 9 May 1997 (next to be held NA May 1999)
- election results:
- Bailey OLTER reelected president;
- percent of Congress vote - NA;
- Leo A. SALCAM elected vice president;
- percent of Congress vote - NA
Legislative branch
unicameral Congress (14 seats; members elected by popular vote; four - one elected from each of state - to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population - to serve two-year terms)
- elections:
- last held 7 March 1995 (next to be held NA March 1999)
- election results:
- percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 14
International organization participation
AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, Intelsat, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Jesse B. MAREHALAU
- chancery :
- 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 223-4383
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Cheryl MARTIN
- embassy:
- address NA, Kolonia
- mailing address :
- P. O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941
- telephone:
- [691] 320-2187
Flag description
light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern
Economy
Economic activity consists primarily of | subsistence farming and fishing.
22 fieldsEconomy - 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 remoteness of the location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development.
Financial assistance from the US is the primary source of revenue, with the US pledged to spend $1 billion in the islands in the 1990s. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are major impediments to long-term growth.
GDP
purchasing power parity - $205 million (1994 est.) note: GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually
Agriculture - products
black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens
Exports
- total value:
- $29.1 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
- commodities :
- fish, garments, bananas, black pepper
- partners:
- Japan, US, Guam
Imports
- total value:
- $141.1 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
- commodities:
- food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages
- partners:
- US, Japan, Australia
Economic aid
recipient: under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US will provide $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001
Communications
6 fieldsTelephone system
- domestic:
- islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes)
- international:
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Transportation
7 fieldsNetworkskm
Military
1 fieldTransnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Micronesia, Federated States of.” The World Factbook 1997. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/micronesia/1997.