Federated States of Micronesia
constitutional government in free association with the US
Federated States of Micronesia as the 2003 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 102 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 Chuuk
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 fieldsPer 1,000 population(2003 est.)
Male · female
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 38.4% (male 21,163; female 20,335)
- 15-64 years:
- 58.5% (male 31,746; female 31,477)
- 65 years and over:
- 3.2% (male 1,558; female 1,864) (2003 est.)
Languages
English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Government
Constitutional government in free association with the US; President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003); President Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003)
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 Joseph J. URUSEMAL (since 11 May 2003);
- Vice President Redley KILLION;
- 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;
- 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 NA 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%
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 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2007);
- elections for two-year term seats last held 4 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2005)
- 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 M. 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, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development.
In November 2002, the country experienced a further reduction in future 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. 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.
GDP
purchasing power parity - $277 million note: $277 million $277 million GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually (2002 est.)
Industries
tourism, construction, fish processing, specialized aquaculture, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls
Agriculture - products
black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, 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
8 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: US 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 2003. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/micronesia/2003.