<< Back to the Federated States of Micronesia Country Profile

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) joined as full members of the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) in 1990.

FSM is located in the North of the Pacific Ocean just above the equator at latitudes 158° 15° E and longitudes 6° 55° N, with a land area of 702 kilometres square (km²) and an Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) of 2, 978, 000 km² (FSM National Assessment Report, 2002).

The group consists of over 607 islands of which 65 are inhabited and subdivided into four states. These states comprise of Pohnpei (345.4 square kilometres), Kosrae (109.6 km²) Yap (121.2 km²) and Chuuk group (118 km²). The islands vary in topography ranging from isolated reefs and atolls rising barely above sea- level to peaks of several hundred meters on high islands of Pohnpei and Kosrae. The main or island grouping in each state is of volcanic or tectonic origin and surrounded by a coral reef. The majority of the outer islands are coral atolls. The interiors of Pohnpei and Kosrae have high mountains peaking at above 1200 feet while the atolls are small, elongated in shape and of low relief (Country Briefing Paper – Pacific Regional Consultation on Water in Small Islands Countries, 2002).

Micronesia has a tropical climate, which is influenced by the northeast trade belt. Strong trade winds prevail from December through to April, while weaker winds and doldrums is received from May to November. Like other tropical climates, FSM suffers from occasional natural hazards such as coastal flooding, drought, cyclones, storm surges, tsunami, earthquake and landslides.

FSM’s EEZ is endowed with cobalt rich manganese crust. When mined, cobalt is a good source of metal Their Mineral potential on-land has been proved to be phosphate.

FSM’s source of water is from surface runoff (60%) and groundwater (40%). In the major islands in each state, water distribution mains exist around the major urban centres. The rest of the population utilise individual rainwater catchment systems, which is supplemented by rivers, streams and springs. In the atolls where there is no available surface water, the shallow and fragile groundwater lens serves as the main source of drinking water (Country Briefing Paper – Pacific Regional Consultation on Water in Small Islands Countries, 2002). Due to its poor location near refuse tips and latrines, the wells are often contaminated highlighting sanitation to be a major concern.

There is a heavy reliance on imported fossil fuel for electricity and transportation. There are renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric and solar power to be developed in FSM. Several outer islands have developed alternative power generating schemes utilizing solar energy and wind has been tried on the main islands (FSM National Assessment Report, 2002).

In 2000, the total population of the Micronesians (FSM) stood at 107 008. A 2003 mid-year estimate stated the population to have increased to 112 600 . The indigenous population of FSM are Micronesians. Others are Polynesians and the influence of the past administrators of the European and Japanese descent can be visible in the ethnic characteristics of the people of FSM.

Their Economy is dependent on fisheries, aid, agriculture, tourism; exports include fish, copra, and trochus shell as the revenue earner for the Nation. In 2001, the Gross Domestic Product per Capita was US$2 055.00 with the private sector being the largest contributor to the FSM economy.