Federated States of Micronesia
constitutional government in free association with the US
Federated States of Micronesia as the 2002 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 104 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 US. 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 fieldsLand useshare of 702 sq km
Location
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
18 fieldsLanguages
English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Government
Constitutional government in free association with the US; President Leo A. FALCAM (since 21 July 1999); President Leo A. FALCAM (since 21 July 1999)
17 fieldsCongress, 14 seatsone dot, one seat
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- conventional short form:
- none
- abbreviation:
- FSM
- former:
- Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
Government type
- constitutional government in free association with the US;
- the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986;
- economic provisions of the Compact are being renegotiated
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 21 July 1999);
- Vice President Redley KILLION (since 21 July 1999);
- note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
- head of government:
- President Leo A. FALCAM (since 21 July 1999);
- Vice President Redley KILLION (since 21 July 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);
- note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed
- 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 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 6 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2003)
- election results:
- percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14
International organization participation
ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IMF, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Jesse Bibiano MAREHALAU
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 223-4383
- consulate(s) general:
- Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 223-4391
- chancery:
- 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Larry DINGER
- embassy:
- address NA, Kolonia
- mailing address:
- P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, 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.
30 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2000 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 remote location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development.
In 1996, the country experienced a 20% reduction in 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. Since these revenues accounted for 57% of consolidated government revenues, reduced Compact funding resulted in a severe depression.
Economic activity recovered in 1999-2001. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due to likely further reductions in external grants made under the US Compact funding. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure remain major impediments to long-term growth.
GDP
purchasing power parity - $269 million note: GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products
black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens
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
Communications
10 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- adequate system
- domestic:
- islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes)
- international:
- satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)
Transportation
8 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved only
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Networkskm
Merchant marine
none note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: United States 1 (2002 est.)
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 2002. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/micronesia/2002.