The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a state on 607 islands in the largest ocean southeast of the Philippines, stretching north of the equator for 2700 km. It occupies the central and eastern parts of the Caroline Islands (the western part belongs to Palau), as well as the Kapingamarangi atoll.

Geography

Only 40 of the islands are of considerable size, the rest are small islets and coral atolls. Only 65 islands are inhabited. In terms of island area (702 km 2), the Federated States of Micronesia is one of the smallest states in the world.
FSM is represented by four states formed according to a single principle: each consists of one or more large islands of volcanic origin and includes numerous atolls (the only exception is the state of Kosrae, whose territory does not include atolls). Large islands (they are called "high" here) are in the ring of coral reefs. They are mountainous, they are covered with forest thickets. Small islands are represented by atolls: ring-shaped coral islands with a shallow lagoon.
The FSM is dominated by an equatorial climate, and the temperature here is around 30°C all year round. In this part of the Pacific Ocean, there is an area where typhoons originate: an average of 25 typhoons, sometimes catastrophic, with destructive hurricane winds at a speed of 240 km / h, pass through the FSM islands per year.

Nature

Nature generously endowed the islands of this part of Micronesia, unlike many neighboring ones: evergreen tropical forests grow on fertile volcanic soil, savannas occupy part of the land, coconut palm, pandanus, breadfruit and bananas dominate on large coral islands, mangroves stretch along the coast. Numerous rivers run down the slopes of the mountains, fed by abundant rainfall: on the island of Pohnpei, for example, there are about 300 rainy days a year.

Story

The ancestors of the current inhabitants of the Federated States of Micronesia settled the islands more than 4 thousand years ago. Before the advent of Europeans, a special hierarchy with leaders and a caste society developed here. Evidence of existence ancient civilization is an " dead city» Nan Madol, built on monumental coral platforms lined with basalt slabs. On the platforms stood residential buildings and temples. This civilization had declined even before the arrival of the Europeans, who discovered a society here in which money was in circulation in the form of large stone disks with a hole in the center.
The Portuguese were the first representatives of the Old World to set foot on the coast of the islands in the 16th century. Following them, the Spaniards appeared here - in the 17th century. they declared the islands their possessions, but did not receive actual control over the territories. In 1898, after losing the war with the United States, Spain sold the islands to Germany.
During the First World War in 1914, the islands were occupied by Japan, which engaged in the forced assimilation of the islanders, which affected their appearance, language and names. After the war, the territories of the future state remained under the control of Japan.
During the Second World War, bloody battles were fought on the islands between the American and Japanese troops. In 1945, the Japanese were expelled from Micronesia, the archipelago came under US control.
For a long time, the islands were controlled by the US military administration, until the independent Federated States of Micronesia were proclaimed in 1986.
The Federated States of Micronesia is an archipelago of low coral islands and higher volcanic ones, with mountainous central parts. Volcanic islands are surrounded by lagoons separated from the ocean by coral barrier reefs from dozens of small islands. There are passages in the reefs through which ocean-going ships approach large islands.
The population of the island republic is almost entirely represented by the peoples of the Pacific Islands. A small proportion of the population are descendants of those born from marriages between Japanese and Micronesians during the Japanese occupation of the islands. The assimilation of the islanders by the Japanese was carried out so categorically that many older people on the islands still speak Japanese.
The traditions and customs of the peoples of the FSM are almost the same on all the islands. Here, they still build houses of local pillar construction without walls, the function of which is performed by gable roofs to the ground, covered palm leaves or mats. In addition, the Micronesians retained ancient technology making wooden boats without a single metal nail. Leaders play the same important role in the life of the community, as in the old days. The ancient rhodo-clan system has been preserved in the villages, and on some islands even the custom of wearing loincloths and skirts made of plant fibers has remained.
Intensive contacts with the Western world in recent decades have changed the mentality of the young generation of FSM citizens who no longer focus on traditional values, but strive to join the achievements of Western civilization.
Despite the fact that the Federated States of Micronesia formally gained independence in 1986, they retained the status of "free association with the United States." Thus, the United States is obliged to provide for the defense of the state, and the FSM economy is largely dependent on American economic assistance. The agreement on "free association" with the United States allows citizens of the country to choose a place of residence within the United States, which they actively use when leaving a country that is experiencing serious difficulties.
The country's main problems remain high unemployment, declining fish catches and a high degree of dependence on US aid. The country does not even have its own currency, which is now being replaced by the US dollar.
The economy of the Federated States of Micronesia, which has no significant mineral resources other than phosphate, is based primarily on agriculture and fishing. Europeans and Asians brought citrus fruits, cassava, sweet potato, various tropical fruit trees, chocolate tree, black pepper to the islands. Local residents clear small areas of forest for plantations. In addition to fishing, which caused significant damage to the ichthyofauna of the islands, the population also collects mollusks and crustaceans on the reef.
Recently, the role of tourism has increased, and an increasing number of islanders are involved in the service sector (for example, in the manufacture of traditional souvenirs). The remoteness of the islands hinders the development of tourism, but the number of people who come to see the beauty of the islands and the "dead city" of Nan Mandol, which has received the fame of the "Venice of the Pacific", is constantly growing.

general information

Location: Pacific North.

Official name

Administrative staff: 4 states (Kosrae State - Kosrae Island; Pohnpei State - Pohnpei, Ant, Pakin, Oroluk, Mokip, Pingelap, Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi Atolls; Chuuk State - Namonuito, Namoluk, Laol, Peace, Talap, Pular, Puluwat, Kuop, Nama, Losap, Mortlock, Chuuk Islands; Yap State - Yap, Maap, Rumung, Gagil-Tamil Islands).

Origin of the islands: volcanic, coral.

Administrative center: Palikir city (Pohnpei island) - 7000 people. (2009).

Languages: English (official), Chuukese, Kosrae, Pontpei, Japanese, Ulitian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi.

Ethnic composition: Chuuk, Ponape, Kosrae, Yap, Yap of the outer islands, Asians, Polynesians.

Religions: Catholicism, Protestantism.

Currency unit: U.S. dollar.
The most important port: Colonna (Palikir, Pohnpei island).

Major airports: Pohnpei International Airports, Chuuk (Chuuk Island), Kosrae (Kosrae Island), Yap (Yap Island).
Neighboring countries and territories: in the southeast -, in the southwest -, in the north - Guam and Northern, in the east - Nauru and the Marshall Islands, in the west - Palau and.

Numbers

Area: islands - 702 km 2, state territory (including water area) - more than 2.6 million km 2.

Number of islands: 607.

Population: 106,104 (2013).
Population density: 151.1 people / km 2.
Urban population: 23% (2010).
highest point: Mount Dolomvar (791 m), according to other sources - Mount Nana Laud (Pohnpei Island, 798 m).

Climate and weather

Equatorial and subequatorial, trade wind-monsoon type.

Two seasons: dry (January - March) and wet (April - December).

Direction of the wind: from November to December - northeast trade winds, the rest of the year - southwest monsoons.

Average annual temperature: +26-33°С.

Average annual rainfall: from 2250 mm to 3000-6000 mm (in the mountains on the island of Kusaie).
Relative humidity: 75%.
Frequent destructive typhoons (June to December).

Economy

GDP: $310 million (2011), per capita $3,000 (2011)

Minerals: phosphates.

Agriculture: crop production (citrus, cassava, sweet potato, various tropical fruit trees, chocolate tree, black pepper), animal husbandry (poultry, pig).

Industry: food (fish canning).

Fishing (tuna).

traditional crafts.

Service sector: tourist, trade.

Attractions

■ Pohnpei Island: "dead city" Nan Madol (XIII century), Japanese coastal artillery guns of the Second World War (Sokes Ridge), Sohes Rock (180 m).
■ Kosrae Island: the temple of the goddess Sinlaku, the ruins of buildings of the XIV century, the sunken pirate ship Bully Hayes Wreck (1874), Japanese defensive tunnels in Lelu Hill (the highest point of the island), the Blue Hole underwater cave (“ Blue Hole”), Hiroshi Point, a basalt dam between the islands of Kosrae and Lele.
■ Chuuk Island: sunken ships and planes of the Second World War, Mount Tonachau (229 m), Nefo cave.
■ Yap Island: giant stone "coins", Tabivol (178m).
■ Ulithi atoll: the remains of sunken ships from the Second World War.

Curious facts

■ Yap Island was a major German naval port before the First World War and an important international transoceanic cable telegraph hub.
■ In 1978, the islands of Micronesia received the status of a "freely associated territory with the United States", in 1979 the FSM Constitution was adopted, but officially the year of independence is called 1986, when the "trusteeship" of the United States was finally terminated.
■ The Federated States of Micronesia has been a member of the UN since 1991, as well as a number of regional organizations such as the Pacific Forum.
■ Most inhabitants of the island of Pohnpei are monochromats (monochromasia - congenital complete color blindness; a person suffering from monochromasia distinguishes colors only by their brightness). The reasons for this phenomenon in this region have not been precisely established.

■ Since the XVIII century. The islands of Micronesia began to be visited by commercial and scientific Russian ships. In 1828, the Russian navigator, geographer and admiral F.P. Litke (1797-1882) discovered the islands of Ponape (Pohnpei), Ant and Pakin and named them in honor of Admiral D.N. Senyavin - Senyavin Islands.
■ Under the terms of the “Free Association” Agreement, the US contributed $1.3 billion to the FSM between 1986 and 2001. Then the amount of annual assistance was reduced, but constant multimillion-dollar cash receipts from the United States were promised until 2023.
■ Micronesia - the general name of groups of small islands in Oceania, in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, north of the equator, there are about 1,500 islands in total. The name "Micronesia" literally translates from ancient Greek as "small island".

The official name is the Federated States of Micronesia.

Located in the Western Pacific Ocean. The area is 702 km2, the population is 137 thousand people. (2003). Official language- English. The capital is the city of Palikir (11.7 thousand people, 2003). Public holiday - Constitution Day May 10 (since 1979). Monetary unit - US dollar.

Member of the UN (since 1991), IMF (since 1993), Pacific Islands Forum (formerly UTF, 1987).

The Federated States of Micronesia is located north of papua new guinea and the Solomon Islands on 607 islands in the central and eastern parts the Caroline Archipelago and the atoll of Kapingamarangi to the south. The length from the west (Yap Island) to the east (Kosrae Island) is approx. 3 thousand km.

Attractions of Micronesia

Geographical coordinates: 6°55 north latitude and 158°15 east longitude. The Federated States of Micronesia are divided into 4 parts: 1) Pohnpei - the island of the same name (the largest, 334 km2) and more than 160 islands and atolls; 2) Chuuk - 11 "high" islands in the Truk lagoon (one of the largest in the world - over 2 thousand km2) and several groups of coral atolls and islands; 3) Yap - 4 islands that make up the island of Yap (three of them are interconnected by bridges) and 15 groups of small islands and atolls; 4) Kosrae - the island of the same name and the island of Lelu, connected by a dam. length coastline 6112 km.

Most of the islands of the Caroline Archipelago are low coral. Rain moisture does not linger in the upper layers of calcareous soils. The vegetation is adapted to saline groundwater. On the "high" volcanic islands - Pohnpei and Kosrae - the soils are rich in organic matter, the vegetation is much more diverse (areca palm, ramp, bamboo, etc.). Mangroves cover the coast of almost all volcanic islands. The highest point is 791 m (Pohnpei). Pohnpei has over 40 rivers. The animal world is represented by bats, rats, crocodiles, snakes, lizards are found. The world of birds is diverse. Yap, unlike other "high" islands, is of non-volcanic origin, it is covered with hills and meadows. The waters of coral reefs and lagoons are rich in fish and sea animals.

Minerals: the world's largest tuna reserves in the 200-mile economic zone (over 2.6 million km2), high-quality phosphate deposits and potential seabed minerals.

The climate is tropical. Temperature +23-30°С. Pohnpei Island is one of the wettest places on the planet (over 5000 mm of precipitation per year). But under the influence of El Niño, droughts occur. Destructive typhoons are regular (June-December).

The average annual population growth rate is approx. 3% per year, partially offset by emigration (about 15 thousand immigrants from the Federated States of Micronesia live in Guam, the Mariana and Hawaiian Islands, as well as in the US mainland). The vast majority of the inhabitants are Micronesians, there are Polynesians. Ethnic features are affected by long-term contacts with Europeans and the Japanese occupation. English is widely spoken, two of the 8 languages ​​​​of the Malayo-Polynesian group are Chuukese (about 50% of the population) and Ponpean (25%). Each of the main parts of the country has its own culture and traditions, but there are also common features. Competently 89% of the adult population. Life expectancy for men is 67 years, for women - 71 years. Child mortality 33 people. per 1000 newborns.

Catholics - 50% of believers, Protestants - 47%, there are adherents of local beliefs.

The Caroline Islands were named in honor of the Spanish king Charles II - in 1521 F. Magellan landed here. Since 1899, the archipelago has been under the control of Germany (bought it from Spain). Japan occupied it in 1914. After the 2nd World War, 6 Pacific territories, under a UN mandate, came under the trusteeship of the United States (1947). Of these, 3 (Pohnpei, including Kosrae; Yap and Chuuk) are the current constituent parts of the Federated States of Micronesia. Since 1979, the Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia, the national and state governments have been in force. In 1986, with the entry into force of the Treaty of Free Association with the United States, the Federated States of Micronesia became a sovereign state. In 1990, the UN Security Council abolished the status of a mandated territory in relation to the Federated States of Micronesia.

The Federated States of Micronesia is a presidential republic. The President is the head of state and government.

Administratively divided into 4 states according to geographical parts. In addition to the capital, the states have administrative centers.

Legislative power belongs to the National Congress. It has 14 senators: 4 - one from each state - are elected for 4 years ( next elections in 2007), another 10 - for 2 years in proportion to the population (next elections in 2005). From the composition of the "four-year" senators, the congress elects for 4 years the president (since 2003 - J. Urusemal) and the vice president (R. Killion). By-elections are held to fill the vacancies that have arisen since then. In the election of state leaders, the informal principle of rotation between the states operates. Each of the 4 states of the country has a similar structure of executive and legislative power in accordance with its own Constitution. State governments exercise most of the executive functions in the state.

There are no political parties.

Under the Treaty of "free association" with the United States, the latter carry out the defense of the Federated States of Micronesia.

The Federated States of Micronesia have had diplomatic relations with Russia since 1999.

GDP per capita approx. 2 thousand US dollars. GDP growth rates since ser. 1990s - 1-2% per year. Agriculture retains a semi-natural character. Its value is declining. It employs up to 50%. The rest work in the public sector, retail and tourism industries. Unemployment - 15-20%.

Coconut palm, betel, cassava, tropical fruits and vegetables, sweet potatoes, black pepper are grown, poultry and pig farming, fishing and fish processing are developing. Souvenirs are made from shells, wood and pearls.

Automobile roads - 240 km (42 km - with a hard surface). In each of the 4 city centers - international Airport, capable of receiving medium-range aircraft, and a deep-water port accessible to ocean-going vessels. In the Federated States of Micronesia - 2 thousand Internet users (2000).

Up to 15 thousand tourists visit the islands annually. Remoteness and lack of infrastructure hinder the development of tourism, but the Asian Development Bank considers this industry the most promising.

The Federated States of Micronesia is heavily dependent on US financial aid. According to the Agreement on "free association" in 1986-2001, it amounted to approx. $2 billion in grants and subsidies. Since 1999, negotiations have been underway to extend the Treaty. Aid has been extended for the duration of the negotiations, but has been declining in recent years, affecting economic situation Federated States of Micronesia.

In addition to fish and fish products (85% of exports), copra and coconut oil, black pepper, bananas, etc. are exported. Imported food and drinks finished goods, equipment. The main partners are the USA, Japan, Guam, Australia. Up to 30% of budget revenues come from the sale of licenses to foreign fishing vessels.

Primary (eight years) public education is compulsory (but 25% of children do not attend school). There are 2 (private) secondary schools, Marine and Fisheries Academy (secondary and college level). The College of Micronesia (Pohnpei) provides higher education.

There are many amazing countries in the world. Some of them you hear about often, and some of them rarely come into the view of most people. Of course, you need to constantly improve your level of knowledge, get acquainted with other states and cultures. This article will focus on such a wonderful country as the Federated States of Micronesia. Indeed, this state is not so often heard, which is why it is worth talking about it in detail. This country is unique in many respects, when tourists come there, they are often amazed at how different it is from other parts of the world. Now it’s worth moving on to a detailed story about this state, its history, population, culture and many other interesting things.

A little about the country itself

So, first you need to consider the basic information about this country. The Federated States of Micronesia is a state located on the Caroline Islands, which, in turn, are located near New Guinea. You can also say that it is located in Oceania. Of course, it is considered that this is an independent state. It has had this status for quite a long time, since 1986. However, despite this, in fact, the country is heavily dependent on US economic assistance. A special agreement was concluded between these two states, according to which America undertakes to support the financial system of the Federated States of Micronesia, and also, if necessary, to ensure their defense.

A few words should also be said about the part of the world where Micronesia is located, that is, about Oceania. You can hear this word quite often, but it is not always clear what it means. Oceania is a very unusual region that consists of a large number of different islands. It is located in the Pacific Ocean. This territory plays an important geopolitical role, and it is also often distinguished as a separate geographical object.

How and at what time was it born

Now it is worth moving on to the story of the history of the country. It is incredibly interesting because it is rich in various events. According to many sources, it is believed that the first inhabitants appeared here as early as the 2nd millennium BC. e. On this basis, we can say that the Federated States of Micronesia is indeed an ancient country. Even some monuments of that time have been preserved, for example, the ruins of ancient Nan Madol, which appeared in ancient times.

Federated States of Micronesia: history of the country

After a long time, colonization took place. At the time, this was completely unsurprising. At the moment when the process of colonization began, the local society was still only at the stage of the primitive system, where communities existed.

The islands on which the state is located were discovered in 1527. They were discovered by Spanish sailors. After some time, the Spaniards declared that the Caroline Islands were in their possession, although in fact at that time control over the territory was not established. After quite a long time, Germany became interested in them. In 1885, she claimed her rights to this state. However, Spain opposed such actions and declared this to arbitration, as a result of which the islands were left to Spain. It would seem that the situation was resolved. But this is not entirely true, since Germany expressed a desire to acquire the islands from Spain. In 1899, such a deal was made.

During the First World War, the islands changed hands as they were captured by Japan. At that time, they were used to create sugar plantations. During the Second World War, these territories passed to the United States. And already in 1986, as mentioned above, the country received the status of free, but is actually dependent on the United States.

Federated States of Micronesia: population details

Now it is worth talking about the population of this state. Of course, as a result of colonization and constant change of ownership by different countries, the FSM have a very unusual population composition. So, if we talk about the entire population, it is more than 102 thousand people. Such statistics exist for 2010, when the census was conducted in the country. Due to the low standard of living, there is a fairly large outflow of people, so the level of emigration is also quite high. However, despite this, the average life expectancy of the population here is quite high - 73 years for women and 69 years for men. The ethnic composition here is very diverse and is represented by various nationalities. The largest proportion is the indigenous population of the island, called "chuuk". It is slightly less than 50% of the total population. The rest of the population is represented by other peoples, for example, Ponape.

Interestingly, the official language of this country is English. It is also used for communication between different nationalities. In addition, there are several more languages ​​for communication between local residents. Basically, the population of this country is literate (about 90%).

What peoples live on the territory of the state

Speaking about the population of the country, it is necessary to say separately a few words about its ethnic composition. So, as already mentioned, the nationality called Chuuk prevails in the country. Sometimes you can also hear another name for this people - Truk. This is the indigenous population of the islands, which appeared here in time immemorial. Representatives of this people now number no more than 50 thousand people. They have their own language, which has the same name "truk". Their main religion is Christianity, but some traditional directions of faith are still preserved.

Another nation that makes up a significant proportion of the country's population (about 25%) is Ponape. This is ancient people Micronesia, which has long lived in island of the same name. Its number is only 28 thousand people. Religious views are mainly Catholicism and Protestantism, however, like the Truk people, traditional cults are preserved. Other nationalities also live here, but they are represented by a much smaller number of people.

So, a small overview of the peoples that inhabit the Federated States of Micronesia was given. A detailed description of these peoples is necessary in order to better understand the history and culture of this country.

Economics of a country

Now that a lot of information about this wonderful country has already been considered, it is worth moving on to considering the economy. Many are interested in what kind of manufacturing activities are engaged in and what the Federated States of Micronesia produces. You can hear about the country that it is mainly a producer of agricultural products.

This is true, the economic activity of Micronesia is represented for the most part by the production of agricultural products and fishing. Thanks to the climate, many different plants can be grown here, such as coconut palms, vegetables and fruits. different types and varieties and much more. Animal husbandry is also popular, most often pigs, goats and chickens are bred.

The Federated States of Micronesia also have their own industry. Basically, there are enterprises for the processing of agricultural products, factories for the production of soap and woodworking industries.

What is the climate like in the Federated States of Micronesia?

It is also worth paying a little attention to the local climatic conditions. In these places, nature and weather can greatly please. The country lies in the equatorial and subequatorial climate zones. The temperature here is mainly kept at the level of 26 °C to 33 °C. The Federated States of Micronesia can boast of good weather most of the year. Photos of the wonderful nature of this country can be found in guidebooks and other materials, in particular in this article. It is especially interesting that this part of the ocean is considered the place where large typhoons are born. Basically, their season lasts from August to December.

The flora here is quite diverse, most often you can see coconut palms. Basically, tropical forests and savannahs predominate here.

Landmarks of the country

One of the main attractions of this country is Nan Madol. These are really interesting ruins. ancient city that has existed since time immemorial. It was located on a large area, which included more than 90 islands. They were interconnected by a whole system of various channels.

Many cultural monuments, in addition to the ancient city, can boast of the Federated States of Micronesia. The capital, Palikir, is also very interesting in terms of history. Here you can get acquainted with the culture and sights of this ancient country.

An island state in the Pacific Ocean, including the central and eastern Caroline Islands and the atoll of Kapingamargagi.
Territory - 701.4 sq. km. The capital is the city of Palikir.
Population - 140 thousand people. (1998), predominantly Micronesian.
The official language is English.
Religion - the majority of believers are Christians.
In the XVII-XIX centuries. Micronesia belonged to Spain, in 1898-1914. Germany, since 1920 - a mandated territory of Japan, since 1947, a United Nations trust territory under the control of the United States. Since 1986 it has been a "freely associated" state with the USA. This status means that the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has full sovereignty, excluding defense matters, which remain the prerogative of the United States. In 1991 she was admitted to the UN.

State structure

Micronesia is a federal state consisting of 4 states with their own governments: Chuuk (formerly Truk), Kosrae, Pohnpei (Ponape) and Yap. States have a high degree of independence in almost all spheres of public life.
The 1979 Constitution is in effect, modeled after the US Constitution. According to the form of government, the FSM is a republic of a special type. The political regime is democratic. There are no political parties.
Legislative power belongs to the federal unicameral parliament - the FSM National Congress, consisting of 14 senators (4 senators are elected one from each state for a term of 4 years, 10 in single-member districts with an approximately equal number of voters for a term of 2 years).
The head of state and government is the President, elected by the members of the National Congress of the FSM from among 4 senators from the states for a term of 4 years. At the same time, the Vice President is elected.
The state structure of the states is established by their own constitutions and is generally similar to the federal one.

Legal system

The legal system of Micronesia is based on US law. In certain areas of relations (land, family, inheritance), the norms of local customary law also operate, the role of which is recognized by the Constitution.
The labor law of Micronesia has not received significant development, since the number of employees in the country is small. The constitution and legislation do not directly enshrine the right to unionize, strike and collective bargaining, and do not limit working hours. By 2000, not a single trade union had been formed in the FSM.
The federation and states continue to use the Penal Code of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, introduced by the American administration. Everyone uses their own version of this act, which they independently amend. The state of Yap has adopted the US Model Penal Code. The main difference from the United States in the field of criminal law is the prohibition of the death penalty established by the FSM Constitution (Article IV Section 9).
The Bill of Rights contained in the FSM Constitution includes procedural guarantees of individual rights in criminal proceedings, closely echoing the corresponding provisions of the US Constitution. The adversarial system borrowed from the United States is contrary to the national traditions of the Micronesians. Because of this a large number of criminal cases do not reach the courts, but are resolved through conciliation procedures with the participation of the families of the perpetrator and the victim in accordance with local customs.

Judicial system. Control bodies

The judicial system is headed by the Supreme Court of the FSM, composed of 3 judges sitting in two divisions: first instance and appeal. This is the only federal court. Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President of the FSM for life with the approval of the Congress.
Each state of the FSM has its own supreme court with a similar structure. Only in the state of Kosrae does not have an appellate branch - this function is performed by the Supreme Court. There are also a small number of local (municipal) courts on the islands.
The prosecution system is led by the Attorney General, who is both the head of the Department of Justice (member of the Cabinet) and the government's chief legal adviser. Since 1991, the vast majority of cases have come under state jurisdiction.
All states, except Kosrae, recognize the institution of traditional leaders who play a significant role in resolving disputes of various kinds.
The supreme body of financial control is a public auditor, appointed by the President on the advice and consent of the Congress for a period of 4 years.

They are located in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, just north of New Guinea, and are part of the Caroline Islands archipelago. The country belongs to the geographical region of Oceania and has an independent status, but at the same time fulfills the role of an Associated State in alliance with the United States of America, largely dependent on their economic assistance.

Peculiarities

The Federated States of Micronesia is made up of 607 islands of varying shapes and sizes, some of which are interconnected by causeways or bridges. At the same time, only 65 islands of the archipelago are inhabited, and a significant part of the territory is privately owned. The main activities of the islanders are agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry and the production of wooden ships. tourist destination here it is poorly developed, due to remoteness from the outside world and limited financial opportunities. The largest islands are of volcanic origin and abound in mountainous elevations, the surface of which is covered with dense forests. All land areas are surrounded coral reefs and atolls. Undersea world extremely rich and varied. The forests are home to many rare animals and mammals. Staying in Micronesia, you should take into account the peculiarities of the local culture and try to follow the generally accepted norms of behavior. In particular, the islanders do not like to be photographed or filmed, although due to their mentality they are very sociable and always hospitable towards foreigners.

general information

The main religions in the archipelago are Catholicism and Protestantism. The area of ​​the territory is just over 700 square meters. km. The population is about 110,000 people. The official language is English, although there are several other local dialects besides it. The main currency on the islands is the US dollar. Time zone +10. The local time ahead of Moscow by 7 hours. The telephone code of the country is +691.

A brief excursion into history

The first Micronesian settlements began to appear here about 2000 BC, and locals divided into different social groups that had an unequal status. Civilization came here in 1527, when the first Spanish ships appeared in the coastal waters of the Caroline Islands. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Germany bought these lands from the Spaniards. During the First World War, the islands were captured by the Japanese, who organized sugar cane plantations here. A few decades later, after the end of World War II, the Americans occupied the archipelago, and in 1986 the Federated States of Micronesia gained the status of a sovereign state in free association with the United States, while the latter took on the burden of providing security and financing the FSM.

Climate

This Pacific region is dominated by an equatorial and subequatorial climate with slight seasonal fluctuations. Throughout the year, the average air temperature on the islands ranges from +25 to +35 degrees, it often rains. From August to December, typhoons with strong hurricane-force winds hit the territory of Micronesia. The largest part of the precipitation falls on April, when tropical showers pour like a solid wall. The most acceptable time of the year to visit the FSF are the periods from January to March and from the second half of May to July, when the probability of natural disasters is minimized.

Visa and customs regulations

When visiting the country for a period of less than 1 month, a visa is not required. At the same time, each state is considered separately and the period of 30 days is counted again from the moment of crossing the border of any of the 4 administrative territories. All 4 states have a customs border on which generally accepted customs standards apply regarding the transport of certain goods. There is no Russian embassy in Micronesia, and the nearest one is in the Philippines.

How to get there

Each of the FSF states has its own international airport, and Yap Island has a deep water port that regularly receives major ocean liners. There is no direct air connection with the CIS countries, so you can get to the archipelago by air either from Japanese Tokyo or from Philippine Manila. There are also flights from Hawaiian Islands(Honolulu airport) and the island of Guam, also belonging to the United States.

Transport

Inside the country, private buses and taxis are actively used as the main means of transportation. Public transport missing here. There are regular ferry services between the islands. If you wish, you should rent a car, especially since the prices for such services are quite moderate.

The most interesting

FSM is administratively divided into 4 states: Chuuk, Kusaiye, Pohnpei and Yap. Each of them has several islands and atolls, while having its own administrative center. The most populous state is Chuuk. It is home to over 53,000 islanders. The capital of Chuuk is the city-island of Weno, which has its own airport, several hotels and excellent conditions for diving. The state of Pohnpei hosts the capital of the whole country, the city of Palikar, with a population of about 20,000 people. It is located on the island of Pohnpei, which is part of the state of the same name. This piece of land is considered one of the wettest on the planet. More than 7600 mm of precipitation falls here annually. The surface of the island is full of an abundance of coconut palms and pandanus, and mangroves grow along the coast. Not far from Palikar is the city of Kolonia, which has a developed tourist infrastructure, including hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues. The main attraction of Pohnpei are the ruins of the ancient city of Nan Madol, related to the origins of the megalithic culture. The third state of the country, Kusaiye, includes several land areas, including the island of the same name with the local capital Tofol, geographically considered the easternmost point of the Caroline Archipelago, not far from Hawaii. The fourth state of the country, Yap, consists of 4 major islands, 7 small and several dozen atolls. It is known for its distinctive culture and ancient traditions. In addition, the local lagoons are excellent conditions for scuba diving, and the island shores are ideal for hiking and admiring the ocean scenery.

The main advantage of the Federated States of Micronesia is their magnificent natural landscapes and ocean expanses, so revered by numerous diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. To get acquainted with the underwater beauties of the local atolls and coral reefs, here you can use any island or a tiny piece of land by going there by boat or boat. On the island of Veno, Mount Tonachau attracts attention with a picturesque waterfall and ancient petroglyphs on the walls of mysterious rock caves. In addition, there are fragments military equipment and the bunkers of Japanese soldiers who took refuge on the island during World War II. Since then, a lighthouse has also been rising on the coast, with a observation deck. Original traditions and the culture of Micronesia is best represented on Yap Island, where you can see the ancient stone money of the islanders and enjoy the dances of local beauties dressed in national costumes. On the islands of the state of Kusai, in the thickets of the tropical forest, you can see traces of the stay of ancient civilizations, including fragments of the temple of the goddess Sinlaku and the ruins of Menk that have partially survived to this day, with medicinal plants growing along them.

In the state of Chuuk, a real find for diving enthusiasts is the unique Truk lagoon, which is a free underwater museum, where instead of traditional shining halls, fans of deep-sea diving are offered a real sandy battlefield, dotted with the remains of guns, aircraft and ships that sank during the battles of World War II. war. Along the entire coastline of the island of Pohnpei, there is a ring highway, which makes it easy to get to its most picturesque places. Here, first of all, Mount Nana Laud is remarkable, the height of which reaches 800 meters. From it originate several dozen rivers that cut the island territory. There are many waterfalls along them, the most famous of which are Keprokhi, Sauvartik and Lidudunlap. These places are recommended for lovers of eco-tourism, especially since comfortable campsites are equipped right in the middle of wild natural landscapes, allowing travelers to have a good rest and relax. Like all other regions of the archipelago, Pohnpei is rich in wildlife, and in the local waters among the vegetation you can see anemones, soft, hard and fire corals. In the course of diving, such common Marine life Pacific Ocean like sharks, manta rays, sea turtles and all sorts of tropical fish. During the year, the islanders celebrate several national holidays. They are held very cheerfully and solemnly, so being in the country on one of these days, you should definitely feel in such an event in order to feel the culture and traditions of this amazing people.

The Federated States of Micronesia is one of the most remote and therefore attractive countries in the world. It has a lot of advantages and even though it is not popular tourist mecca of a planetary scale, arouses genuine interest among travel lovers and serves as an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the distant and mysterious shores lost in the boundless waters of the Pacific Ocean.