Skip to main content
Go to CIA.gov
WFB
Explore All Countries
Micronesia, Federated States of
Australia and Oceania
Page last updated: December 06, 2023
Photos of Micronesia, Federated States of
view 60 photos
A crinoid on the Hanakawa Maru. Image courtesy of NOAA / David Burdick.Bubble coral (Plerogyra sinuosa) on the Hino Maru. Image courtesy of NOAA / David Burdick.
Country Flag
View Details
Country Map
View Details
Special Country Products
Country Summary
Travel Facts
Locator Map
View Details
Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Background
Each of the four states that compose the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) - Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap - has its own unique history and cultural traditions. The first humans arrived in what is now the FSM in the second millennium B.C. In the 800s A.D., construction of the artificial islets at the Nan Madol complex in Pohnpei began, with the main architecture being built around 1200. At its height, Nan Madol united the approximately 25,000 people of Pohnpei under the Saudeleur Dynasty. Around the same time, Kosrae was united in a kingdom centered in Leluh by 1250. Yap's society became strictly hierarchical, with chiefs receiving tributes from islands up to 1,100 km (700 mi) away. Widespread human settlement in Chuuk began in the 1300s, and the different islands in the Chuuk Lagoon were frequently at war with one another.
Portuguese and Spanish explorers visited a few of the islands in the 1500s and Spain began exerting nominal, but not day-to-day, control over some of the islands - which they named the Caroline Islands - in the 1600s. Christian missionaries arrived in the 1800s, in particular to Chuuk and Kosrae. By the 1870s, nearly every Kosraean had converted to Christianity and religion continues to play an important role in daily life on the island. In 1899, Spain sold all of the FSM to Germany. Japan seized the islands in 1914 and was granted a League of Nations mandate to administer them in 1920. The Japanese navy built bases across most of the islands and headquartered their Pacific naval operations in Chuuk. The US bombed Chuuk in 1944, but largely bypassed the islands in its leapfrog campaign across the Pacific. The US military largely bypassed the other islands in its leapfrog campaign across the Pacific.
The FSM came under US administration as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1947, which comprised six districts: Chuuk, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Pohnpei, and Yap; Kosrae was separated from Pohnpei into a separate district in 1977. In 1979, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap ratified the FSM Constitution and declared independence while the other three districts opted to pursue separate political statuses. In 1982, the FSM signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted the FSM financial assistance and access to many US domestic programs in exchange for exclusive US military access and defense responsibilities; the COFA entered into force in 1986 and its funding was renewed in 2003. There are significant inter-island rivalries stemming from their different histories and cultures. Chuuk, the most populous but poorest state, has pushed for secession, but an independence referendum has been repeatedly postponed and may not be held.
Eligible Micronesians can live, work, and study in any part of the US and its territories without a visa - this privilege reduces stresses on the island economy and the environment. Micronesians serve in the US armed forces and military recruiting from the FSM, per capita, is higher than many US states.
Tip
Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates
6 55 N, 158 15 E
Map references
Oceania
Area
total: 702 sq km
land: 702 sq km
water: 0 sq km (fresh water only)
note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)
comparison ranking: total 191
Area - comparative
four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
Area comparison map:
Area comparison map
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
6,112 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
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
Elevation
highest point: Nanlaud on Pohnpei 782 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate
Land use
agricultural land: 25.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 2.3% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 19.7% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 3.5% (2018 est.)
forest: 74.5% (2018 est.)
other: 0% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Population distribution
the majority of the populaton lives in the coastal areas of the high islands; the mountainous interior is largely uninhabited; less than half of the population lives in urban areas
Natural hazards
typhoons (June to December)
Geography - note
composed of four major island groups totaling 607 islands
People and Society
Population
100,319 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 196
Nationality
noun: Micronesian(s)
adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
Ethnic groups
Chuukese/Mortlockese 49.3%, Pohnpeian 29.8%, Kosraean 6.3%, Yapese 5.7%, Yap outer islanders 5.1%, Polynesian 1.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 0.8% (2010 est.)
Languages
English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Religions
Roman Catholic 54.7%, Protestant 41.1% (includes Congregational 38.5%, Baptist 1.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 0.8%, Assembly of God 0.7%), Church of Jesus Christ 1.5%, other 1.9%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 27.41% (male 13,968/female 13,527)
15-64 years: 67.13% (male 32,721/female 34,627)
65 years and over: 5.46% (2023 est.) (male 2,433/female 3,043)
2023 population pyramid:
2023 population pyramid
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 57.7
youth dependency ratio: 48.4
elderly dependency ratio: 9.3
potential support ratio: 10.8 (2021 est.)
Median age
total: 27.8 years (2023 est.)
male: 26.9 years
female: 28.6 years
comparison ranking: total 150
Population growth rate
-0.7% (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 227
Birth rate
18.1 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 82
Death rate
4.2 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 211
Net migration rate
-20.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 229
Population distribution
the majority of the populaton lives in the coastal areas of the high islands; the mountainous interior is largely uninhabited; less than half of the population lives in urban areas
Urbanization
urban population: 23.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
Major urban areas - population
7,000 PALIKIR (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
74 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 81
Infant mortality rate
total: 21.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
male: 24.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.2 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 76
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 74.7 years (2023 est.)
male: 72.6 years
female: 76.9 years
comparison ranking: total population 135
Total fertility rate
2.22 children born/woman (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 85
Gross reproduction rate
1.08 (2023 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved: total: 78.6% of population
unimproved: total: 21.4% of population (2017 est.)
Current health expenditure
11.6% of GDP (2020)
Physicians density
(2020)
Hospital bed density
3.2 beds/1,000 population
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 88.3% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 11.7% of population (2017 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
45.8% (2016)
comparison ranking: 10
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 1.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.92 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.13 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.52 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 138
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
NA
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
51.7% (2023 est.)
Education expenditures
9.7% of GDP (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 6
Literacy
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Environment
Environment - current issues
overfishing; sea level rise due to climate change threatens land; water pollution, toxic pollution from mining; solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
Land use
agricultural land: 25.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 2.3% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 19.7% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 3.5% (2018 est.)
forest: 74.5% (2018 est.)
other: 0% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 23.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
Revenue from forest resources
0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 141
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 7.79 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.14 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 0.02 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 26,040 tons (2016 est.)
Total renewable water resources
0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form: none
local long form: Federated States of Micronesia
local short form: none
former: New Philippines; Caroline Islands; Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts
abbreviation: FSM
etymology: the term "Micronesia" is a 19th-century construct of two Greek words, "micro" (small) and "nesoi" (islands), and refers to thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean
Government type
federal republic in free association with the US
Capital
name: Palikir
geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
time zone note: Micronesia has two time zones
note: Palikir became the new capital of the country in 1989, three years after independence; Kolonia, the former capital, remains the site for many foreign embassies; it also serves as the Pohnpei state capital
Administrative divisions
4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
Independence
3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday
Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
Constitution
history: drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979
amendments: proposed by Congress, by a constitutional convention, or by public petition; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote in at least three fourths of the states; amended 1990; note – at least every 10 years as part of a general or special election, voters are asked whether to hold a constitution convention; a majority of affirmative votes is required to proceed; amended many times, last in 2019 (approval by referendum to hold a constitutional convention)
Legal system
mixed legal system of common and customary law
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of FSM
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023); Vice President Aren B. PALIK (since 12 May 2023); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023); Vice President Aren B. PALIK (since 12 May 2023)
cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments
elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by Congress from among the 4 'at large' senators for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 May 2023 (next to be held in 2027)
election results: David W. PANUELO elected president by Congress; Yosiwo P. GEORGE reelected vice president
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Congress (14 seats; 10 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms and 4 at- large members directly elected from each of the 4 states by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)
elections: last held on 7 March 2023 (next to be held in March 2025)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 14; composition as of March 2023 - men 14, women 0
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and not more than 5 associate justices and organized into appellate and criminal divisions)
judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the FSM president with the approval of two-thirds of Congress; justices appointed for life
subordinate courts: the highest state-level courts are: Chuuk Supreme Court; Korsae State Court; Pohnpei State Court; Yap State Court
Political parties and leaders
no formal parties
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Jackson SORAM (since 31 March 2023)
chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383
FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391
email address and website:
dcmission@fsmembassy.fm
https://fsmembassy.fm/
consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Portland (OR), Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Jennifer JOHNSON (since 13 September 2023)
embassy: 1286 US Embassy Place, Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941
mailing address: 4120 Kolonia Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-4120
telephone: [691] 320-2187
FAX: [691] 320-2186
email address and website:
koloniaacs@state.gov
https://fm.usembassy.gov/
Flag description
light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the stars represent the four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap
National symbol(s)
four, five-pointed, white stars on a light blue field, hibiscus flower; national colors: light blue, white
National anthem
name: "Patriots of Micronesia"
lyrics/music: unknown/August Daniel BINZER
note: adopted 1991; also known as "Across All Micronesia"; the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song "Ich hab mich ergeben", which was the West German national anthem from 1949-1950; variants of this tune are used in Johannes BRAHMS' "Festival Overture" and Gustav MAHLER's "Third Symphony"
This is an audio of the National Anthem for Micronesia, Federated States of. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.:
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Nan Madol: Ceremonial Center of Eastern Micronesia
Economy
Economic overview
lower middle-income Pacific island economy; US aid reliance, sunsetting in 2024; low entrepreneurship; mostly fishing and farming; US dollar user; no patent laws; tourism remains underdeveloped; significant corruption
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$375.055 million (2021 est.)
$387.407 million (2020 est.)
$394.369 million (2019 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
comparison ranking: 215
Real GDP growth rate
-3.19% (2021 est.)
-1.77% (2020 est.)
1.17% (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 209
Real GDP per capita
$3,300 (2021 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars
$3,500 (2020 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars
$3,500 (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 193
GDP (official exchange rate)
$328 million (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
0.55% (2020 est.)
1.54% (2019 est.)
1.79% (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 207
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 26.3% (2013 est.)
industry: 18.9% (2013 est.)
services: 54.8% (2013 est.)
comparison rankings: services 158; industry 160; agriculture 26
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 83.5% (2013 est.)
government consumption: 48.4% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 29.5% (2016 est.)
investment in inventories: 1.9% (2016 est.)
exports of goods and services: 27.5% (2016 est.)
imports of goods and services: -77% (2016 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, cassava, vegetables, sweet potatoes, bananas, pork, plantains, fruit, eggs, beef
Industries
tourism, construction; specialized aquaculture, craft items (shell and wood)
Industrial production growth rate
-8.33% (2021 est.) NA
comparison ranking: 196
Labor force
37,920 (2010 est.)
comparison ranking: 201
Unemployment rate
16.2% (2010 est.)
comparison ranking: 31
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 18.9% (2014)
male: 10.4%
female: 29.9%
comparison ranking: total 89
Population below poverty line
41.2% (2013 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
40.1 (2013 est.)
comparison ranking: 57
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget
revenues: $320 million (2018 est.)
expenditures: $223 million (2018 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
6.6% (of GDP) (FY12/13 est.)
comparison ranking: 4
Public debt
25.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
23.1% of GDP (2019 est.)
23.11% of GDP (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 178
Taxes and other revenues
6.43% (of GDP) (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 216
Fiscal year
1 October - 30 September
Current account balance
$12 million (2017 est.)
$11 million (2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 73
Exports
$179 million (2021 est.)
$122 million (2020 est.)
$130 million (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 203
Exports - partners
Thailand 81%, China 9%, Japan 4%, Philippines 4%, United States 1% (2021)
Exports - commodities
skipjack, tuna, fish fillets, aircraft, scrap iron (2021)
Imports
$126 million (2021 est.)
$133 million (2020 est.)
$121 million (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 215
Imports - partners
United States 34%, China 16%, Japan 11%, Taiwan 7%, South Korea 6% (2021)
Imports - commodities
˄
˄
Skip to content
Alluring World
Main Menu
Chuuk Lagoon
Micronesia Oceania
17 Chuuk
The Chuuk Lagoon, formerly known as Truk Atoll, is an important atoll that is located in the central part of the Pacific Ocean, and it is part of the Federated States of Micronesia. Being part of the Chuuk State, which is one of the four states that comprise the Pacific island nation, Chuuk Lagoon is an enclosed natural harbor that is 79 km by 50 km (43 mi by 27 mi) and covers an area of about 2,130 sq km (820 sq mi).
1 Chuuk
The highest point that can be found is 443 m (1,453 ft) above sea level, and with a population of above 35,000 inhabitants, the majority are living in the capital of the state, Weno, which is located on Moen Island.
8 Chuuk
Throughout history, Chuuk has been settled by native inhabitants, and records of the first settlers that were found are dating back to 1 and 2 century BC, although from more modern times its story began in 14 century, when with the expanding European empires, the islands were claimed first by the Spanish Empire.
2 Chuuk
Spain managed to cling to them for a very long time, where in 1899 it sold the islands that are part of the Caroline Islands chain to the German Empire, and that is the year when the Spanish Empire completely withdrew from the Pacific arena.
11 Chuuk
Germany managed to hold the island up until World War I when the Japanese Navy was tasked with pursuing and destroying the German East Asiatic Squadron and protecting the shipping lanes for Allied commerce in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
16 Chuuk
With ongoing operations, the Japanese Empire managed to secure the Marianas, Carolines, Marshall Islands, and Palau island groups by October 1914, thus confirming its status as an empire.
14 Chuuk
The Japanese Empire was successful in holding Chuuk Lagoon and other Pacific islands up until World War II when Chuuk became the Empire of Japan's main and most formidable naval base in the South Pacific.
7 Chuuk
Even though the base was heavily fortified against the Allies who were operating in New Guinea and the nearby Solomon Islands, on 17 February 1944 Chuuk's capacity as a naval base was destroyed through a naval air attack in Operation Hailstone, by the American forces.
5 Chuuk
As the attack continued for 3 days, the US planes sank 12 smaller warships and 32 merchant ships, as well as 275 aircraft. These attacks managed to cripple the base, and Chuuk Lagoon did not pose threat to the Allied Forces with the ongoing war.
3 Chuuk
Being one of the greatest battle stages of World War II, nowadays Chuuk Lagoon is considered to be one of the best places where people can dive and explore the underwater remnants from this period.
4 Chuuk
Even in 1969, the French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau explored the lagoon and following his documentary about the haunting remains of the naval base, the lagoon became a popular site for scuba-diving enthusiasts. Currently, 9 wrecks can allow diving enthusiasts to experience the devastation that the war brings.
6 Chuuk
Divers can spend hours exploring the site's wrecks, returning multiple times without seeing the same wreckage twice, testifying to the great destruction of Operation Hailstone.
15 Chuuk
In addition, with a local diving guide, visitors can explore the engine rooms and cargo holds of some of the destroyed ships, and when tired of exploring WWII remnants, there are always the amazing and quite colorful soft and hard corals that provide shelter to the local marine life.
10 Chuuk
All in all, Chuuk Lagoon even though nowadays is not so famous as a tourist spot, it certainly holds its title as the most important place in the world during the events that were unfolding during the Second World War.
9 Chuuk
12 Chuuk
13 Chuuk
EmailFacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsAppViberLinkedInVKWeChatTumblrCopy LinkShare
discover micronesia
Micronesia
Oceania
Kepirohi Waterfall
Micronesia, Oceania
17 Chuuk
Chuuk Lagoon
Micronesia, Oceania
2 Tonnachau
Tonnachau Mountain
Micronesia, Oceania
1 And Atoll
Ant Atoll
Micronesia, Oceania
Leluh
Micronesia, Oceania
Menka Ruins
Micronesia, Oceania
© www.alluringworld.com, 2025. All rights reserved.Contact Privacy Policy About