Federated States of Micronesia
constitutional government in free association with the US
Federated States of Micronesia as the 2000 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 99 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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 United States. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.
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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
- signed, but not ratified:
- none of the selected agreements
People
14 fieldsPer 1,000 population(2000 est.)
Male · female
Government
Constitutional government in free association with the US; President Leo A. FALCAM (since NA May 1999); President Leo A. FALCAM (since NA May 1999)
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 Leo A. FALCAM (since NA May 1999);
- Vice President Redley KILLION (since NA May 1999);
- note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
- head of government:
- President Leo A. FALCAM (since NA May 1999);
- Vice President Redley KILLION (since NA May 1999);
- 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 NA May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2003)
- election results:
- Leo A. FALCAM elected president;
- percent of Congress vote - NA;
- Redley KILLION 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 2 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2003);
- elections for two-year term seats last held NA March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2001)
- election results:
- percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 14
International organization participation
AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, 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
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 223-4383
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 223-4391
- 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
- telephone:
- [691] 320-2187
- FAX:
- [691] 320-2186
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 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(1996 est.)
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 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 $1.3 billion in the islands in 1986-2001. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are major impediments to long-term growth.
GDP
purchasing power parity - $240 million (1997 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
$79 million (1998); 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
8 fieldsTelephone system
- domestic:
- islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes)
- international:
- satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Transportation
7 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved only
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Networkskm
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 2000. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/micronesia/2000.