World Country Guide

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
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.