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FSM
Federated States of Micronesia
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Micronesia, Federated States of, self-governing island country in free association with the United States, located in the western Pacific Ocean, forming, with the Republic of Palau, the Caroline Islands. The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) includes four states. From east to west they are Kosrae, Pohnpei (formerly Ponape), Chuuk (formerly Truk), and Yap. The FSM is north of the equator, located more than 4000 km (more than 2500 mi) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii. Palikir,
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on Pohnpei Island, is the capital. The largest town is Kolonia, also on Pohnpei. The FSM, along with Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Nauru, is part of Micronesia, one of the three major divisions of Oceania.
Land and Resources
The FSM consists of more than 600 islands, of which about 60 are inhabited. From east to west, the FSM extends more than 2700 km (more than 1700 mi), about twice the length of the country's north-to-south distance. The contrast between land and sea area is great. The total land area is 702 sq km (271 sq mi), of which the islands of Pohnpei constitute half. The FSM's exclusive economic zone, an area of the ocean where the FSM controls fishing and other rights, is more than 2.6 million sq km (more than 1 million sq mi).
Most islands of the FSM are low-lying coral atolls (ring-shaped islands that enclose lagoons), although some of the larger islands were formed by volcanoes. Kosrae, the easternmost state, is usually considered to be one large volcanic island, but it also consists of several offshore islets, including Lelu, which is connected to the large island by a causeway. Pohnpei state contains the FSM's largest island, the volcanic island of Pohnpei. There are also small offshore islands and outlying coral atolls. Chuuk state contains more than 200 islands and islets, including remnants of volcanic peaks in the lagoon of Chuuk Atoll and outlying coral islands. Yap, the westernmost state, consists of Yap proper (a small cluster of islands, three of which are connected by bridges), and more than 100 outlying coral islands. Unlike most other islands in the FSM, the islands of Yap proper are continental; they were formed by an uplifting of the Asian continental shelf. The volcanic islands have mountainous interiors, while the interiors of the continental islands of Yap have rolling hills. The country's highest elevation is 790 m (2595 ft) at Mount Ngihneni on Pohnpei.
The FSM has a tropical climate that is uniformly hot and humid. The average daily temperature range is 22° to 32° C (72° to 90° F). Rainfall varies greatly from one end of the country to the other. Yap receives about 4570 mm (about 180 in) a year. Pohnpei has twice that amount. Periodic droughts occur, particularly on the atolls. The FSM lies within the typhoon belt and thus destructive storms are common. They most frequently occur in the westernmost islands.
Vegetation on the volcanic islands is dense, but coconut palms thrive everywhere, including the coral atolls. The volcanic islands have relatively rich soils that support a variety of crops. Included are breadfruit, citrus and other fruits, taro, yams, and other root crops. The atolls have poorer soils and agriculture is much more limited. Although the volcanic and continental islands have rivers, the water is untreated. Thus the only source of drinking water in the FSM is rain collected in catchment systems and deep wells. Water on the atolls is particularly scarce, and residents there must also rely on coconut milk.
 The islands have few land animals. Chickens, pigs, dogs, cats, and rats were introduced by humans. Seabirds are numerous. Like coconuts, marine life is essential for atoll dwellers and it is abundant everywhere. There are no harmful reptiles or insects.
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The People of the FSM
The FSM's 1995 estimated population was 122,950, indicating a population density of 149 persons per sq km (271 per sq mi). The population is unevenly distributed, however, with Chuuk state having one-half the population and Pohnpei, one-third. The FSM has one of the most urbanized populations in the Pacific; about one-half the population lives in the urban areas on the four main islands. The birth rate is high, but emigration partly offsets the population growth rate.
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Since the mid-1980s, Micronesians have migrated in sizable numbers to Guam, Hawaii, and the United States mainland.
The native Micronesians are divided among roughly 10 language groups with varying cultural traditions. English is the official language of government and business, and most people have some command of it, although the range of ability is great. Many people also know two or more local languages.
The literacy rate is estimated to be 89 percent, but educational achievement is very mixed. Elementary and secondary education is free and is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 14. Institutions of higher education include the Community College of Micronesia, established in 1987 on Pohnpei. Several hundred students from the FSM also seek higher education in Guam and the United States.
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