Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania, and is made up of thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. The Federated States of Micronesia is often referred to simply as Micronesia, but it is actually just one of a number of five countries in Micronesia, the others being the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of Kiribati, the Commonwealth of the Marianas Islands, and the Republic of Nauru. Also in the larger region of Micronesia are the US territories of Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Wake Island.
For the sake of brevity, I will refer to the country as Micronesia here, but this category actually relates specifically to the Federated States of Micronesia, which is a United States associated country that is itself made up of four states: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae. Together, these states add up to more than six hundred islands. Although the total land area of the Federated Republic of Micronesia (271 square miles) is fairly small, its islands are spread out to cover more than a million square miles of the Pacific Ocean.
The capital of the Federated Republic is Palikir, on Pohnpei Island. The largest city in Micronesia is Weno, on the Chuuk Atoll. The islands of Micronesia are geologically diverse. Some of its islands, such as Pohnpei and Kosrae, were formed as a result of volcanic activity. The island of Yap is part of the continental shelf that is above sea level, while others are coral atolls. Coral is made up of colonies of small, stationary animals that produce calcium deposits over time, and these deposits become coral reefs. A coral atoll is formed when a ring of coral grows up around an aging volcano, eventually extending above sea level. Often, the center of the volcano forms into an enclosed lagoon that is protected from the ocean. Once sufficient sand and soil accumulated on the exposed reef, a coral atoll can sustain plant and animal life.
Plant life on coral atolls is usually limited, but some of them are able to support coconut trees, breadfruit, pandanus plants, and low-lying shrubs. The most common products of Micronesia are breadfruit, coconuts, taro, and yams. While the islands are home to a large variety of amphibians, reptiles, and insects, the only native terrestrial animals are bats. Birds are plentiful, however, with more than two hundred species of birds common in Micronesia, including eighteen endemic species. As might be expected from a string of Pacific islands, Micronesia is rich in marine life, and some of the Micronesian islands serve as nesting grounds for turtles. Most of its islands are fringed by coral reefs, which support several invertebrates, fish, eels, skates, and turtles.
The Federated States of Micronesia shares a history with Palau. Although the early people of Micronesia and Palau hadn't developed a system of writing, our knowledge of the islands is based on archeology and legend. It is believed that people from what is now the Philippines and Indonesia began moving into Palau and Yap, probably after being forced to flee their homelands by Malay tribes. From there, they moved to settle Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae. Over a few thousand years, the people who settled Micronesia and Palau formed societies that were probably based on fishing and agriculture. Although customs on different islands vary somewhat, the similarities are greater.
Eventually, the Europeans came. The first to arrive were the Portuguese. Magellan landed at Guam in 1521 but did not visit any of the islands within the Federated States of Micronesia. A few years later, Dioga da Rocha, a Portuguese explorer, came ashore on an atoll east of Yap, spending four months there. European exploration of Micronesia continued for the next few hundred years, and Christian missionaries became regular visitors. Spain, which had claimed ownership of Micronesia as early as 1565, was granted control of the islands by the Pope in 1885 after Spain's claim was contested by Germany. Still, Spain did not have much of a presence in Micronesia, except for its missionaries. After the Spanish-American War, Spain sold the Micronesian islands to Germany. German rule included violence and hostilities between the people of Micronesia and their foreign rulers. After World War I, Japan occupied the islands. As Japan prepared for World War II, the islands were fortified. During the war, some of the islands were bombed and most of them saw conflict, including naval battles and full-scale invasions.
The United States took control of the islands after World War II. The 1970s began a transition from governance by the United States to self-government for the islands of Micronesia and Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia was formed in 1978 and finalized by 1986, with the US and FSM forming a compact of Free Association. Palau voted to form an independent government rather than joining the Federated States.
Recommended Resources
Situated in Truk Lagoon, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, the resort features fifty-four air-conditioned rooms, each with a private balcony and an ocean view that overlooks Truk Lagoon, which serves as a base for World War II wreck diving, recreational diving, closed-circuit rebreather diving, and technical diving. Photos, a list of amenities, and rates are posted, along with the facility’s dive shop.
http://www.bluelagoondiveresort.com/
COM-FSM began operations in 1963 as the Micronesian Teacher Education Center, and is currently a multi-campus institution in the Federated States of Micronesia, headquartered in Palikir, Pohnpei, the institution has a campus in each of the four states. Its campuses, academic programs, student services, and contacts are posted, along with a departmental directory, accreditation status, and financial assistance programs.
http://www.comfsm.fm/
Department of Education, Federated States of Micronesia
The National Department of Education has three chief divisions: Basic Education and Accreditation, Specialized Services, and Career and Technical Education. School accreditation standards for the FSM are featured, along with curriculum, assessment and research, teacher certification requirements, early childhood education, post-secondary scholarships and student services, and information technology.
http://www.fsmed.fm/
Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia
Headquartered in Washington DC, the embassy represents Micronesians who are in the United States with issues such as visas and immigration, obtaining birth certificates, replacing lost or damaged passports, Social Security numbers, and employment authorizations and eligibility verifications. The embassy location, hours of operation, and contacts are posted to the site, along with photographs and informational topics.
http://www.fsmembassydc.org/
Federated States of Micronesia Visitors Board
The official tourism agency of the Federated States offers a profile of the islands, and an introduction to each of the FSM states, including a list of accommodations, restaurants, bars, shopping venues, attractions, and events, as well as photographs. The traditional culture of the people of Micronesia is set forth, including traditional attire, dances, and local food and drink. Customs regulations and general information about visiting the islands are included.
http://www.visit-micronesia.fm/
FSM Telecommunications Corporation
FSM Telecom is a public corporation established and operating in the Federated States of Micronesia, where it offers regular and landline telephone services, Internet services, and cable television to the islands of Micronesia. Featured is a coverage map, an overview of the company’s services, its customer support programs, contacts, and employment opportunities. Clients may access their accounts online.
http://www.fsmtc.fm/
Government of the Federated States of Micronesia
The official site of the national government of the FSM features its administrative offices, departments, and overseas missions. Available resources include official statements and notices from the executive and legislative branches of government, as well as information about the national and state governments, its overseas missions, diplomatic relations, international treaties, and photographs.
http://www.fsmgov.org/
The non-profit organization was created in order to advance educational opportunities in the remote islands and atolls of the Federated States of Micronesia, a former United States trust territory in the Central Pacific Ocean. General information about the Outer Islands and the organizations programs and services are put forth, including scholarships, resource libraries, language, and extracurricular activities. Reports and contacts are included.
http://www.habele.org/
Jane Resture: Federated States of Micronesia
Created and maintained by Jane Resture, the site offers a profile and guide to travel and accommodations within the Federated States of Micronesia, information about early traders, images of postcards, and specific information and photographs from the islands of Chuuk, Kosrae, and Pohnpei, including island maps, details of indigenous customs, travel options from island to island, and other considerations.
http://www.janeresture.com/fedmic/
Maintained by the Federated States of Micronesia Telecommunications Corporation, which offers telephone, television, and Internet services to the islands, the directory of the Federated States of Micronesia offers a guide to island news, hotels, restaurants, movies, radio, television, weather, businesses, churches, schools, and government agencies and programs, with specific information for the islands of Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap.
http://www.fm/
Powered by Vanilla Forums, the online discussion forum is focused on the Federated States of Micronesia or the islands of Micronesia. People from Micronesia, including expatriates and non-Micronesians with an interest in the islands, may ask or answer questions and discuss topics relating to the islands with others. Registration is free, but membership is required for participation.
http://www.micronesiaforum.org/
MicSem is a private, non-profit, non-governmental organization. Learn about Micronesia through videos, books, and articles, including reflections of the people of the islands on changes that have occurred throughout the years. View contemporary and historical photos, videos, radio programs, and media products. Also included is a library of museum resources, including books, video, photos, maps, and others.
http://www.micsem.org/
Office of the President, Federated States of Micronesia
Headquartered in the capital city of Palikir, Pohnpei, the offices of the President, Vice President, Cabinet members, departments, agencies, and government offices are featured, including biographical data, photographs, schedules, contacts, and job announcements and bulletins. Other resources include the text of the Federated States’ national anthem, news bulletins, and media releases.
http://www.fsmpio.fm/
US Embassy in the Federated States of Micronesia
Headquartered in Kolonia, Pohnpei, Micronesia, the United States embassy handles visas and provides services to US citizens in the Federated States of Micronesia. Information about obtaining immigrant and non-immigrant visas is set forth, along with an overview of its emergency services, passport and citizenship, services, federal programs, and other services provided to American citizens.
https://fm.usembassy.gov/
HXS is located on the eastern end of Weno Island, in the Federated States of Micronesia, east of the Chuuk Lagoon, where it provides a high school curriculum for boys and girls from the island nations of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, India, and Japan. Its history and a profile of the school is set forth, with details of its academic, religious, and student life programs.
http://xaviermicronesia.org/
