Micronesia

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: 107,008 (2000).

Population Density: 153 per sq km.

Capital: Palikir (Pohnpei). Population: 34,486 (Pohnpei; 2000).

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 Joseph J. Urusemal since 2003.

Language: English; Micronesian languages, including Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpean 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: The main ISP is FSM Telecom (website: www.telecom.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. Post office 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 weekly.

Micronesia comprises four archipelagos: the Federated States of Micronesia (Caroline Islands), the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Republic of Palau. Each archipelago is composed of hundreds of island groups, within which there are many islands varying widely in topography. Marshall Islands: Many of the atolls are dotted with Flame of the Forest, hibiscus and different-coloured plumeria flowers. There are also at least 160 species of coral surrounding the islands. There are many historic sites and it is possible to snorkel over World War II wrecks. Federated States of Micronesia: The most important historical sites include The Spanish Wall and Catholic Bell Tower in Pohnpei. The island has some beautiful natural sites such as the waterfalls at Kepirohi and Sahwartik with pools that are ideal for bathing. Northern Mariana Islands: The Northern Marianas host a variety of scenery including beautiful bays, spectacular cliffs, caves and mountains. At Abbas on the northern shore of Tinian, there are blow holes where incoming waves shoot 20 feet into the air. Palau: Babeldaob is Palau’s biggest island. Twenty-seven miles long and 15 miles across at its widest, it is covered in dense foliage. The terrain is varied with steep mountains, freshwater lakes and sand dunes. Visitors can also explore the extraordinary stone monoliths dotted along the coastline, which serve as impressive monuments to Palau’s earliest civilisation. Most hotels serve continental, Japanese, Chinese, Western-style and local cuisine. On some remote islands a visitor might be welcomed with a feast of fish, clams, octopus, langusta, sea cucumber and eels.