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Home  >  World  > Australia and South Pacific  > Pacific Islands of Micronesia  > Micronesia, Federated States

General Information

Area: Kosrae (five islands) – 110 sq km (42 sq miles); Pohnpei (163 islands) – 344 sq km (133 sq miles); Chuuk (formerly Truk) (294 islands) – 127 sq km (49 sq miles); Yap (145 islands) – 119 sq km (46 sq miles). Total: 700 sq km (270.3 sq miles).

Population: 116,268 (official estimate 1999).

Population Density: 166 per sq km.

Capital: Palikir (Pohnpei). Population: 33,692 (1998).

GEOGRAPHY: The Federated States of Micronesia lie 3680km (2300 miles) north of Australia and 4000km (2500 miles) west of Hawaii. They comprise 607 islands scattered over 1.6 million sq km (617,761 sq miles), the most widely spread Pacific Islands group. Yap’s uplands are covered by dry meadows and scrub growth. Chuuk lagoon is circled by one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, while Pohnpei has mountains rising to over 600m (2000ft).

Government: Federal Republic since 1980. Gained self-governing status (in free association with the USA) in 1986. Head of State and Government: President Leo A Falcam since 1999.

Language: English; Micronesian languages, including Kosrean, Pohnpean, Chuukese and Yapese, are widely spoken.

Religion: Mostly Roman Catholic with other Christian denominations.

Time: Owing to the vast area covered by the islands, Micronesia spans two time zones:

Chuuk and Yap: GMT + 10.

Kosrae and Pohnpei: GMT + 11.

Communications:  

Telephone

IDD is available. Country code: 691. Outgoing international code: 00.

Internet

FSM Telecom is the main ISP (website: http://www.fm/).

Telegram

Facilities at island capitals and main hotels.

Post

Post offices are located in Kolonia for Pohnpei, Moen for Chuuk, Lelu for Kosrae and Colonia for Yap. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630.

Press

Pacific Daily News (Guam) is the main English-language newspaper in the Federated States of Micronesia. The Island Tribune is printed twice a week.


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