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, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.

Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia

four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)

tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage

islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk

timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate

typhoons (June to December)

overfishing, climate change, pollution

four major island groups totaling 607 islands

106,836 (July 2011 est.)

22.22 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

4.35 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

-20.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

PALIKIR (capital) 7,000 (2009)

2.74 children born/woman (2011 est.)

urban: 94% of population

rural: 92% of population

total: 92% of population

urban: 6% of population

rural: 8% of population

total: 8% of population (2000)

urban: 59% of population

rural: 16% of population

total: 26% of population

urban: 41% of population

rural: 84% of population

total: 74% of population (2000)

Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Yap outer islands 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, other 6.4%, unknown 1.4% (2000 census)

Roman Catholic 52.7%, Congregational 40.1%, Baptist 0.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 0.7%, other 3.8%, none or unspecified 0.8% (2000 Census)

English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004

4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap

3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)

mixed legal system of common and customary law

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

18 years of age; universal

unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - 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; members elected by popular vote)

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO

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

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. Under the original terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US provided $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the level of aid has been subsequently reduced. The Amended Compact of Free Association with the US guarantees the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and the FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual payouts to the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the current slow growth of the private sector.

$238.1 million (2008 est.)

$277 million (2002 est.)

GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually

$238.1 million (2008)

15.38% (31 December 2009 est.)

14.38% (31 December 2008 est.)

$29.02 million (31 December 2009)

$21.21 million (31 December 2008)

$114 million (31 December 2009 est.)

$98 million (31 December 2008 est.)

$65.68 million (31 December 2009)

$43.75 million (31 December 2008)

black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca), sakau (kava), Kosraen citrus, betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish

tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items (from shell, wood, and pearls)

192 million kWh (2002)

178.6 million kWh (2002)

$-34.3 million (FY05 est.)

$14 million (2004 est.)

fish, garments, bananas, black pepper, sakau (kava), betel nut

$132.7 million (2004)

food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages

$60.8 million (FY05 est.)

the US dollar is used

no television broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel cable service with television transmissions carrying roughly 95% imported programming and 5% local programming; about a half dozen radio stations in operation (2009)

Colonia (Tomil Harbor), Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor

no regular military forces

defense is the responsibility of the US

major consumer of cannabis