Federated States of Micronesia
constitutional government in free associationIndependence 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN
Federated States of Micronesia as the 1999 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 96 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:
- Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
People
14 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1999 est.)
Male · female
Government
Constitutional government in free association; 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)
18 fieldsCongress, 14 seatsone 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
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. FALCAM (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. FALCAM (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 of vice president 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. FALCAM 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:
- elections for four-year term seats last held 7 March 1995 (next to be held 2 March 1999);
- elections for two-year term seats last held 3 March 1997 (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, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU
- chancery:
- 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
- consulate(s) general:
- Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Ann WRIGHT
- embassy:
- address NA, Kolonia
- mailing address:
- P. O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941
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.
31 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--$220 million (1996 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
Economic aid--recipient
$77.4 million (1995); note?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 fieldMilitary--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
Transnational Issues
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Micronesia, Federated States of.” The World Factbook 1999. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/micronesia/1999.