Micronesia. Federated States of Micronesia Which city is the capital of Micronesia

07.10.2021

Micronesia includes the Marianas, Carolines, Marshalls, Gilberts and Nauru islands. The state is located in the western part Pacific Ocean in the Caroline Islands. The length of the coastline is 6,112 km. The islands are heterogeneous in geological origin: from high mountains muddy islands to low coral atolls. Volcanic activity continues on some of the islands.

The climate of the archipelago in the western part is equatorial and subequatorial, in the eastern part it is tropical trade wind-monsoon, with slight temperature fluctuations. Average monthly temperatures- about +25+30°С. Precipitation ranges from 1,500 to 4,000 mm per year in different parts of the archipelago (on eastern islands There are often heavy downpours), the drier months are winter.

Story

The ancestors of the Micronesians settled the Caroline Islands more than 4 thousand years ago. Over the centuries, two social groups emerged in Micronesian society - the “noble” and the “common”; the former did not engage in physical labor and differed from the latter in their special tattoos and jewelry. The territorial associations were headed by chiefs (tomol), but their power was not the same on different islands. Remains were discovered on Temen Island (Pohnpei State) ancient civilization - stone city Nan-Madol. It consisted of monumental structures erected on reefs - platforms made of coral rubble and lined with basalt slabs. Residential and temple complexes, buried the dead and performed various rituals. According to legends, the city was the center of the vast Saudeler power and was destroyed by the conquerors, after which Pohnpei split into five territorial entities. Similar monuments were found on Lelu Island (Kosrae state). On the island of Yap in later times, there apparently existed a centralized state entity that had economic and religious functions. Tribute was collected from conquered tribes. The first Europeans found on Yap one- and two-tiered platforms with temples and men's houses, as well as peculiar money in the form of large stone disks with a hole in the center.

The Caroline Islands were discovered by European navigators in the 16th-17th centuries. In 1526, di Menezighi discovered the Yap Islands, and in 1528, Alvaro Saavedra first saw the Truk Islands (modern Chuuk). In 1685, Captain Francisco Lazeano rediscovered the island of Yap and named the island Caroline (after King Charles II of Spain). Later this name was transferred to the entire archipelago, which was declared the possession of the Spanish crown. However, the discovery of its islands continued in subsequent years. The first Spanish Catholic missionaries, arriving in 1710 on the Sonsorol Islands and in 1731 on Ulithi Atoll, were killed by the islanders, and the Spanish abandoned attempts to colonize the Caroline Islands until the 1870s.

From the end of the 18th century. the archipelago began to be visited by commercial and scientific British, French and even Russian ships. Thus, in 1828, the Russian navigator F.P. Litke discovered the islands of Ponape (Pohnpei), Ant and Pakin and named them in honor of Admiral D.N. Senyavin. Since 1830, American whalers have often visited here. In the 1820s–1830s. British sailors lived on Pohnpei, castaways when they were transporting an English missionary to Kosrae. In 1852, American evangelists founded a Protestant mission on the islands of Pohnpei and Kosrae. German and English traders began to penetrate the archipelago.

In 1869, Germany established a trading station on Yap, which became the center of the German trading network in Micronesia and Samoa. In 1885, the German authorities announced their claims to the Caroline Islands, which Spain considered its own. Thanks to the mediation of the Pope, a German-Spanish treaty was concluded, recognizing the archipelago as Spanish possession, but giving German traders the right to create trading posts and plantations on them. Spanish soldiers and missionaries arrived on the islands, but they met fierce resistance on Pohnpei. The islanders rebelled and destroyed plantations.

After losing the war with the United States, Spain agreed in 1898 to cede the Caroline and Mariana Islands to Germany. From 1906 they were controlled from German New Guinea. The German colonial authorities introduced universal labor service for adult islanders and began extensive road construction. In response, the people of Pohnpei rebelled and killed Governor Beder. The uprising was suppressed by the German fleet only in 1911. In the fall of 1914, Micronesia was occupied by Japanese troops.

Officially, Japan received a mandate from the League of Nations to govern Micronesia only in 1921. It used the territory of the Caroline Islands for economic purposes (fishing, production of cassava flour and alcohol from sugar cane), to create naval and air bases. Japan pursued a policy of forced assimilation towards the indigenous population. Tens of thousands of Japanese were resettled on the islands, to whom the best lands. Japanese settlements emerged. Traces of Japanese domination were preserved in the appearance of the Carolinians, in their language and names.

Since 1944, bloody battles began on the islands between American and Japanese troops. By 1945, Japanese forces had been expelled from Micronesia, the archipelago came under the control of US military authorities, and in 1947 the Caroline Islands (along with the Marianas and Marshalls) became a UN Trust Territory administered by the US - the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TPI). . From 1947 to 1951, the territory was administered by the US Department of the Navy, then transferred to the civil administration of the US Department of the Interior. In 1961, the Council of Micronesia was created, but all power remained in the hands of the American High Commissioner. In 1965, the first elections to the Congress of Micronesia were held. In 1967, Congress created the Future Political Status Commission, which recommended seeking independence or establishing a "free association" relationship with the United States with full internal self-government. Since 1969, negotiations have been held between representatives of the Congress of Micronesia and the United States.

On July 12, 1978, the population of the districts of Truk (Chuuk), Ponape (Pohnpei), Yap and Kusaie (Kosrae) voted in a referendum for the creation of the Federated States of Micronesia. Mariana, Marshall Islands and Palau refused to join the new state. On May 10, 1979, the FSM Constitution was adopted, and in the fall the first elections to the National Congress, as well as the governors of four states, were held. Became the president of the country ex-president Congress of Micronesia Toshivo Nakayama, who took office in January 1980.

During 1979–1986 The United States has consistently transferred management functions to a new head of state and government. Issues of foreign policy and defense of the FSM remained the prerogative of the United States. In 1983, the population approved the status of “free association” with the United States in a referendum. On November 3, 1985, the PTTO was officially dissolved and the US trusteeship regime ended. On December 22, 1990, the UN Security Council approved the abolition of trusteeship and the FSM became an officially independent state.

Sights of Micronesia

Micronesia - amazing country. Despite the influence of the United States, life here goes on as usual. Here you can still see people in loincloths who are far from the benefits of civilization and live in their own world, without globalization and stress.

Micronesia has the most stunning beaches! The lagoons here are bright blue, and the beaches have white crumbly sand. She is one of best places for diving and snorkeling. These places are rich not only coral reefs, marine life, but also the remains of sunken ships and aircraft from the Second World War.

Stunningly beautiful lagoons filled with beautiful coral reefs and a real underwater museum of sunken ships can be found on the island Chuuk.

Island Kosrae considered one of the most beautiful islands Pacific Ocean. The beauty of the island is simply enchanting: the peaks of high mountains, untouched tropical forests, extraordinary flowers, coconut and banana plantations, entire gardens of orange, tangerine and lemon trees, wild beaches. Far from civilization, this is a real paradise.

Residents of the island Yap still saved centuries-old traditions and the culture of their ancestors, despite many years of colonization. Here, stone coins are still used for trade among themselves, and residents walk around in loincloths and engage in agriculture and handicrafts.

Yap consists of 134 islands and atolls. According to many travel publications, Yap is one of the TOP 3 best places for diving. Endless beaches, atolls, and several colorful villages attract tourists from all over the world to get acquainted with the unique life of the island and feel unity with nature.

Pohnpei Island is the largest, most developed and densely populated island in Micronesia. The island is famous for its waterfalls, wonderful forests with blooming nature and the hospitality of the local people. You should definitely see the ruins of Nan Mandol, which are located on 92 artificially created islands back in the 1st century. The islands are connected by canals, so the colonialists nicknamed the artificial archipelago the Venice of the Pacific.

The island is popular with surfers. The season lasts from late October to April.

Micronesian cuisine

The national cuisine of Micronesia is varied from island to island. This culinary symphony is united by an abundance of seafood, juicy fruits, vegetables, and grains. It is seasoned with various sauces.

Main components local cuisine can be called: sweet potatoes (called “yams”), coconuts, breadfruit.

Pork is added to meat dishes. However, nothing beats seafood in popularity. Various types of fish, shellfish and crabs are very popular here. As we see, nature is generous.

Locals love to quench their thirst with water and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Be sure to enjoy the national alcoholic drink called “sakua”. It is made from the juice of hibiscus bark. Please note that you will not be able to try alcohol on Chuuk Island: it is prohibited there.

a state located in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. It has the status of a “freely associated” state with the United States. Former UN trust territory under US administration. The agreement on “free association” with the United States was signed in October 1982, came into force on November 3, 1986. Member of the UN since September 17, 1991. Capital - Kolonia (Palikir).

The form of government is a federation. Each state has its own legislative bodies.

Administrative division - 4 states.

The Constitution of May 10, 1979 is in force. The head of state is the president, elected by universal suffrage for a term of 4 years. The legislative body - the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia consists of 14 deputies elected for a term of 2 years, with the exception of four deputies elected for a term of 4 years from each of the four states.

Executive power is exercised by the president and the government. The government includes the vice-president of the country, as well as several department secretaries. The post of minister does not exist. (A.K.)

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Micronesia

Federated States of Micronesia State structure Legal system Judicial system. Control authorities Island state in the Pacific Ocean, including the central and eastern Caroline Islands and Kapingamargagi Atoll. Territory - 701.4 sq. km. The capital is Palikir. Population - 140 thousand people. (1998), predominantly Micronesians. Official language- English. Religion - most believers are Christians. In the XVII-XIX centuries. Micronesia belonged to Spain from 1898-1914. Germany, since 1920 a mandate territory of Japan, since 1947 a UN trust territory under US administration. Since 1986 it has been a “freely associated” state with the United States. This status means that the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has full sovereignty, excluding defense issues, which remain the prerogative of the United States. Admitted to the UN in 1991. Government of Micronesia - 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 Constitution of 1979 is in force, modeled on 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 National Congress of the FSM, consisting of 14 senators (4 senators are elected, one from each state for a period of 4 years, 10 in single-member districts with approximately an equal number of voters for a period of 2 years). The head of state and government is the President, elected by members of the FSM National Congress from among 4 state senators for a term of 4 years. At the same time, the Vice President is elected. The government of the states is established by their own constitutions and is generally similar to the federal one. Legal System Micronesia's legal system is based on US law. In certain areas of relations (land, family, inheritance), norms of local customary law also apply, the role of which is recognized by the Constitution. Labor law in Micronesia has not received significant development, since the country has a small number of employees. The Constitution and legislation do not directly establish the right to organize into trade unions, strike and collective bargaining, nor do they limit work time. By 2000, not a single trade union had been formed in the FSM. The Federation and the states continue to use the Criminal 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. Yap State adopted the US Model Penal Code. The main difference from the United States in the field of criminal law is the prohibition established by the FSM Constitution (Article IV Section 9). death penalty. The FSM Constitution's Bill of Rights includes procedural guarantees of individual rights in criminal proceedings that closely mirror the corresponding provisions of the US Constitution. The adversarial process system borrowed from the United States is contrary to the national traditions of the Micronesians. Due to this a large number of criminal cases do not end up in 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 authorities Judicial system is headed by the Supreme Court of the FSM, consisting of 3 judges sitting in two branches: first instance and appellate. This is the only federal court. Supreme Court judges are appointed by the FSM President for life with the approval of Congress. Each FSM state has its own supreme court with a similar structure. Only in the state of Kosrae there is no appellate division - this function is performed by the Supreme Court. There are also a small number of local (municipal) courts on the islands. The criminal prosecution system is headed by the Attorney General, who is both the head of the Department of Justice (a member of the Cabinet) and the chief legal adviser to the government. 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 various types of disputes. Supreme body financial control is a public auditor appointed by the President with the advice and consent of Congress for a period of 4 years.

- a state on 607 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Former name - Caroline Islands.

The name of the country comes from the ancient Greek "mikros" and "nesos", meaning "small" and "island", meaning "micro-island".

General information about Micronesia

Official name: Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Capital - Palikir.

Square - 702 km2.

Population - 130 thousand people

Administrative division - The state is divided into 4 states: Truk, Kostrae, Ponape, Yap.

Form of government - Republic.

Head of State - The president.

Official language - English (official and inter-ethnic communication), 8 local languages: Japanese, Woleai, Ulithi and Sonsorol, Caroline, Truk, Kosrae, Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi.

Religion - 50% are Catholics, 47% are Protestants, 3% are others..

Ethnic composition - 41% - Chuukeans, 26% - Pohnpeians, 7 other ethnic groups - 33%..

Currency - US dollar = 100 cents.

Internet domain : .fm

Mains voltage : ~120 V, 60 Hz

Country dialing code: +691

Description of the country

Micronesia means “small islands”, and this absolutely accurately reflects the essence of this country. Although the islands are firmly tied to the economic and political interests of the United States, Micronesia stubbornly follows its traditional path - a country where people sport loincloths and stone coins are still used as a means of payment. Micronesians are very proud of their past, especially since they have every right to be - their ancestors crossed the Pacific Ocean in fragile canoes long before Europeans entered these waters.

The islands have some of the best diving, snorkeling and surfing conditions in the world, and are seen as a potential international hub for beach holiday And aquatic species sports The waters around the islands are filled with many forms of spectacular marine life. There are a large number of species of hard and soft corals, anemones, sponges, fish, dolphins and shellfish, including the giant clam Tridacna. Large pods of whales pass through these waters every year. Several species of sea turtle lay eggs on these shores, and islanders are allowed to use both turtle meat and eggs for food. The islands are also home to more than 200 species of seabirds.

Climate

The climate of Micronesia is equatorial, more humid in the east of the archipelago, where the cyclone zone passes. Conventionally, two seasons are distinguished: dry (January - March) and wet (April - December). From November to December, northeast trade winds predominate; the rest of the year, southwest monsoon winds blow, bringing heavy rainfall. Pohnpei has an average of 300 rainy days a year. Average annual precipitation is 3000–4000 mm. Seasonal fluctuations in air temperature are insignificant, average monthly temperatures are 24–30° C. The length of daylight hours is the same throughout the year. The part of the Pacific Ocean where Micronesia is located is an area where typhoons occur (on average there are up to 25 typhoons per year). Typhoon season is from August to December.

Geography

Federated States of Micronesia - island country in western Oceania and the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered in the west by the Palau Islands, in the north by the Mariana Islands, and in the east by the Marshall Islands. Occupies most Caroline Islands (except Palau). Outside the main island arc there are numerous atolls that make up the country. Micronesia consists of 607 islands, the largest of which are Pohnpei (342 sq. km), Kosrae (Kusaiye, 111 sq. km), Chuuk (126 sq. km), Yap (118 sq. km). The total area of the islands is 720.6 square meters. km, and the water area is 2.6 million square meters. km.

The most mountainous are about. Pohnpei (with highest point- Mount Ngineni, 779 m), and about. Kosrae (Mount Finkol, 619 m). On about. Yap is dominated by rounded hills; The islands of Kosrae, Chuuk and Pohnpei are of volcanic origin. Most of the islands are low atolls on coral reefs. The most extensive marine lagoon is Chuuk (surrounded by 80 small islands).

Flora and fauna

Volcanic and coral islands differ in the nature of their vegetation. On the coast volcanic islands- mangroves, coconut palms, bamboo. The coral islands are dominated by coconut palms.

The fauna is represented by bats, rats, crocodiles, snakes, and lizards. 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.

Banks and currency

United States dollar (USD), equal to 100 cents. Banknotes in circulation are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars. And also coins: penny (1 cent), nickel (5 cents), dime (10 cents), quarter (25 cents), half dollar (50 cents) and 1 dollar. The dollar is the official currency of the country, so there is no point in importing anything else. American dollar travel checks are accepted almost everywhere, and most large hotels, restaurants and shops accept them as cash. There are no commercial banks on either Truk (Chuuk) or Kosrae, so make sure you have enough cash before heading to these islands. Credit cards are widely accepted on Pohnpei and are increasingly used in Truk and Yap.

general information

Most large islands Micronesia is of volcanic origin (height up to 791 m), surrounded by coral reefs. The climate is equatorial and subequatorial. Precipitation ranges from 2250 mm to 3000-4500 and 6000 mm (in the mountains on the island of Kusape) per year. The part of the Pacific Ocean where Micronesia is located is an area where typhoons occur (on average there are 25 typhoons per year). The islands are covered with evergreen tropical forests and savannas; The coral islands are dominated by coconut palm and pandanus.

Since the seventeenth century, the Caroline Islands belonged to Spain. In 1898, Spain sold them to Germany. In 1914, the islands were captured by Japan, and during the Second World War they were occupied by US troops, who began to administer them under a UN mandate. In 1978, the Caroline Islands received the status of a “freely associated territory with the United States.” In 1979, the constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia was adopted.

The basis of Micronesia's economy is fishing, copra production, and vegetable growing. Cattle, pigs, and goats are raised on the islands. To develop its fishing zone, Micronesia cooperates with the USA, Australia, Japan, South Korea. Every year, 25 thousand tourists visit Micronesia, mainly from Australia and Japan. Length of paved highways is 226 km. Half of the export consists of copra; pepper, fish, handicrafts, and coconut oil are also exported. The main foreign trade partners are the USA and Japan. Micronesia receives significant cash subsidies from the United States and uses the American dollar as its currency.

Culture

The traditional culture of the population of the Federated States of Micronesia is pan-Micronesian (with the exception of the culture of the two Polynesian atolls of Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi). However, it has undergone significant changes over several centuries of foreign domination. But even today on many islands there are houses of local pillar construction without walls, the function of which is performed by gable roofs reaching to the ground, covered with palm leaves or mats. Micronesians still master the art of making wooden boats without a single metal nail. Leaders play a significant role in the public life of the FSM. Perhaps the culture of the Yapese remained the most conservative (folklore, dancing, houses on stone foundations under palm leaves, loincloths for men and fluffy skirts made of plant fibers for women).

Intensive contacts in recent decades with Western world changed the mentality of the younger generation of Micronesian citizens, who are no longer guided by traditional values, but strive to join the achievements of Western civilization.

Story

The ancestors of the Micronesians settled the Caroline Islands more than 4 thousand years ago. Over the centuries, two social groups emerged in Micronesian society - the “noble” and the “common”; the former did not engage in physical labor and differed from the latter in their special tattoos and jewelry. The territorial associations were headed by chiefs (tomol), but their power was not the same on different islands. On about. Temen (Pohnpei state) the remains of an ancient civilization were discovered - the stone city of Nan Madol. It consisted of monumental structures erected on reefs - platforms made of coral rubble and lined with basalt slabs. Residential and temple complexes were built on the platforms, the dead were buried and various rituals were performed. According to legends, the city was the center of the vast Saudeler power and was destroyed by the conquerors, after which Pohnpei split into five territorial entities. Similar monuments were found on the island. Lelu (Kosrae state). On the island of Yap in later times, there apparently existed a centralized state entity that had economic and religious functions. Tribute was collected from conquered tribes. The first Europeans found on Yap one- and two-tiered platforms with temples and men's houses, as well as peculiar money in the form of large stone disks with a hole in the center.

The Caroline Islands were discovered by European navigators in the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1526, di Menezighi discovered the Yap Islands, and in 1528, Alvaro Saavedra first saw the Truk Islands (modern Chuuk). In 1685, Captain Francisco Lazeano rediscovered the island of Yap and named the island Caroline (after King Charles II of Spain). Later this name was transferred to the entire archipelago, which was declared the possession of the Spanish crown. However, the discovery of its islands continued in subsequent years. The first Spanish Catholic missionaries, arriving in 1710 on the Sonsorol Islands and in 1731 on Ulithi Atoll, were killed by the islanders, and the Spanish abandoned attempts to colonize the Caroline Islands until the 1870s.

From the end of the 18th century. Commercial and scientific British, French and even Russian ships began to visit the archipelago. Thus, in 1828, the Russian navigator F.P. Litke discovered the islands of Ponape (Pohnpei), Ant and Pakin and named them in honor of Admiral D.N. Senyavin. Since 1830, American whalers have often visited here. In the 1820s and 1830s, Pohnpei was home to British sailors who were shipwrecked while carrying an English missionary to Kosrae. In 1852, American evangelists founded a Protestant mission on the islands of Pohnpei and Kosrae. German and English traders began to penetrate the archipelago.

Officially, Japan received a mandate from the League of Nations to govern Micronesia only in 1921. It used the territory of the Caroline Islands for economic purposes (fishing, production of cassava flour and alcohol from sugar cane), to create naval and air bases. Japan pursued a policy of forced assimilation towards the indigenous population. Tens of thousands of Japanese were resettled on the islands, and the best lands were given to them. Japanese settlements emerged. Traces of Japanese domination were preserved in the appearance of the Carolinians, in their language and names.

Since 1944, bloody battles began on the islands between American and Japanese troops. By 1945, Japanese forces had been expelled from Micronesia, the archipelago came under US military control, and in 1947 the Caroline Islands (along with the Marianas and Marshall Islands) became a US-administered UN trust territory, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TPIS). In 1947–1951 The territory was administered by the US Department of the Navy, then transferred to the control of the civil administration of the US Department of the Interior. In 1962, administrative authorities were moved from Guam to Saipan (Mariana Islands). In 1961, the Council of Micronesia was created, but all power remained in the hands of the American High Commissioner. In 1965, the first elections to the Micronesian Congress took place. In 1967, Congress created the Future Political Status Commission, which recommended seeking independence or a "free association" relationship with the United States with full internal self-government. Since 1969, negotiations have been held between representatives of the Congress of Micronesia and the United States.

On July 12, 1978, the population of Truk (Chuuk), Ponape (Pohnpei), Yap and Kusaie (Kosrae) counties voted in a referendum for the creation of the Federated States of Micronesia. The Marianas, Marshall Islands and Palau refused to join the new state. On May 10, 1979, the FSM Constitution was adopted, and in the fall the first elections to the National Congress, as well as the governors of four states, were held. The president of the country was the former president of the Congress of Micronesia, Toshiwo Nakayama, who took office in January 1980.

In 1991, Micronesian President John Haglelgam (1987–1991), who lost the parliamentary elections, resigned as head of state. In 1991–1996 Bailey Alter (Pohnpei State) served as President from 1996–1999. – Jacob Nena (Kosrae State), 1999–2003 – Leo Amy Falkam, and since 2003 – Joseph John Urusemal. A draft constitutional amendment that would have provided for direct elections of the president and vice president was rejected.

The main problems of the country remain high level unemployment, declining fish catches and high dependence on American aid.

The region where Micronesia is located is distinguished by its remoteness from the main transport routes, a small land area and a huge area of water separating the small lonely islands on which the state of the Federated States of Micronesia is located. The state is located in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, four thousand kilometers from the Hawaiian Islands near the coast of New Guinea, with which it is in the same economic region.

Where is Micronesia?

The Federated States of Micronesia is located in Oceania, a region that, in geopolitical terms, consists of hundreds of fragmented islands. They are located and

Since these islands are located at a considerable distance from the main centers of industry and transport, and their small territories do not allow them to have a developed economy, they have to enter into close relations with larger states and create federal unions.

This is exactly what the Federated States of Micronesia did when it entered into “free association” with the United States. Such an alliance allows you to have stable incomes and security guarantees from the most powerful state on the planet.

Capital of Micronesia

It is worth noting that the States of Micronesia is part of the larger geographical region of Micronesia, which includes states such as Guam, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau and the Marshall Islands. In addition, they are adjacent to the US dependent territories of Wake and the Northern Mariana Islands.

As for the state of Micronesia, the form of government in which is a presidential republic, it has been formally considered independent since 1986. The capital of the sovereign state is the city of Palikir. Micronesia is one of the least populated countries in the region, and the population of the capital barely exceeds six thousand people.

Since the country has fairly close relations with the United States, it state language the country is English though local residents They also speak numerous island languages: Chuuk, Ponape, Kosiae. In addition, despite the significant influence of local cults on the life of the indigenous population, the overwhelming number of locals profess Christianity - Protestantism and Catholicism.

How to get to Micronesia?

Considering the remoteness and its large territories separating the individual islands of the archipelago, transport is of great importance, which, unfortunately, is not very well developed on the islands.

The islands' international airport is located in the capital of Micronesia, which is located on the largest of the islands - Pohnpei. This island is also the largest state of the state, and its administrative center serves the city of Colonia, whose population is about six thousand people. Before Palikir became the capital of the state, these functions were performed by the city of Colonia.

In general, it is worth noting that transport infrastructure is extremely poorly developed in the state, which hinders the construction of a productive tourism industry, although the country is located in an extremely favorable climate, and its environmental situation is favorable. Even in the capital of Micronesia there is very clean air and drinking water High Quality.

Intrastate communication is carried out by small aircraft or sea ferry service, however, it is not regular due to the small number of passengers.

Nature of Micronesia

The country's capital is located on one of the largest Caroline Islands. In total, there are more than six hundred islands in the archipelago, sixty of them are large, and inhabited there are sixty-five islands in total.

Despite the fact that the scattered nature of the islands, the small number of inhabitants and the almost complete absence of mineral resources create serious obstacles to building an economy, these same difficulties also provide certain advantages, including the impeccable state of the environment.

The nature of Micronesia consists of virgin tropical forests located on the slopes of mountains, rising above the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Culture on the islands

The history of foreign domination over the islands goes back several centuries. The first Europeans to claim their rights to the island were the Spaniards, who opened the islands to the West in 1527, however for a long time actual control over the archipelago European states were not implemented.

In 1885, Germany unexpectedly declared its rights to the entire archipelago, but Spain protested and turned for help to an international mediator, who chose Pope Leo XIII, who decided to leave the rights to the islands to the Spanish kingdom.

Between 1914 and the end of World War II, the islands belonged to Japan, after which they were occupied by the United States as guardian, which only ended in 1986 when the Federated States of Micronesia became a sovereign state. It was at this time that the form of government in Micronesia became a presidential republic.