FED. OF MICRONESIA
LOCATION
Micronesia means ‘small islands’ and the country is named very aptly. Along with Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia forms the archipelago of the Caroline Islands, and lies about 800 kilometers (497 miles) east of the Philippines. The FSM is a grouping of 607 small islands in the Western Pacific about 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, lying just above the Equator. Spread across 2,500 kilometers of the Western Central Pacific Ocean, just north of the equator, its four states consist of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap and their 607 islands (only 65 are inhabited).
HISTORY
Over 4,000 years ago the ancestors of the Micronesians settled on the Caroline Islands. The Micronesian society began as a decentralized chieftain-based system but over time this evolved into a more centralized economic and religious empire, which was primarily based in Yap and Pohnpei. In the 16th century European explorers began trickling into the islands; first the Portuguese in search of the Spice Islands and then the Spanish reached the Carolines. However, it was the Spanish who first established sovereignty. It was in 1899 that the present FSM passed to German control, and then through the Treaty of Versailles to the Japanese in 1919. Post World War II, these islands became part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, administered by the United States.
Four of the Trust Territory districts ratified a new constitution on May 10, 1979, to become the Federated States of Micronesia. But the neighboring trust districts of Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands did not take part in this. A Compact of Free Association was signed by the FSM with the United States in 1986.
LANGUAGE
The Fed of Micronesia is a multilingual country. English is not the official language but the most commonly used language as well. Other than English there are a host of languages that are used in the country, like- Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, and Kapingamarangi.
CLIIMATE
Micronesia enjoys a tropical climate, with relatively even, warm temperatures throughout the year.
The climate in the Micronesia averages 80° F year round, with highs in the high 80s and Lows in the high 70s. During the summer months FSM has the heaviest rainfall. However, on each island, the rainfall varies. With some locations on the interior of Pohnpei receiving up to 330 inches of rain per year, the island reputedly is one of the wettest places on Earth. From December to March occurs the trade wind season.
CURRENCY
The official currency of Micronesia is the United States dollar ($) with One dollar being made up of 100 cents.
ECONOMY
The fishing industry is highly important. Over $14 million is paid annually by the foreign commercial fishing fleets for the right to operate in FSM territorial waters.
Scuba diving, surfing, World War II battle sites, eco-tourism, and the ancient ruined city of Nan Madol on Pohnpei, are some of the major tourist attractions. Each year the islands have more than 10,000 tourists visiting it. However, due to a lack of infrastructure, the tourist industry has been hampered. The country has limited commercial air connections, and a severely restrictive foreign investment climate. In agriculture mostly subsistence farming is carried out. Breadfruit, coconuts, bananas, betel nuts, cassava, taro, and kava are the principal crops.
The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the current slow growth of the private sector.
CAPITAL
Palikir city, in the island state of Pohnpei is the capital of Micronesia since 1989. The city has a population of 11606 residents. Nearby Palikir, is the coastal city of Kolonia, the island’s other large settlement.
The Spaniard, Diego de Rocha, was the first European to visit the island group in 1526. Initially the islands were called the New Philippines until 1696 when they were renamed the Caroline Islands. Pohnpei experienced 100 years of foreign rule under Spain, Germany, Japan and the USA at different times, because it proved to be an ideal supply stop for the Pacific expeditions.
HOLIDAYING IN MICRONESIA
Few travelers manage to reach these remote exotic islands, but those that do are guaranteed world-class diving holidays, palm-lined beaches and island exploration at its best.
Activities in Palikir
Warm, crystal clear waters, untouched reefs teeming with marine life, dazzling corals, manta ray, white and black tipped reef, shark, barracuda, and breathtaking drop-offs beckon enthusiastic divers. The best known diving locations on Pohnpei are Ant, Pakin, and Black Coral.
Nan Madol an ancient stone city built on 100 artificial islets off the southeast coast of Palikir is worth a visit. The city is now in ruins and the ruins consist of immense basalt rock logs brought to the islands by raft (some say by magic) to construct steps, paths and a temple.
Try a drink of sakau, the numbing local drink used in ceremonies and also sold in bars, it could be a good way to relax.
Visiting Truk
It’s a place of wrecks. The number of wrecks present here in close proximity, situated in shallow clear water, outnumbers any other ones in the world. While snorkeling you can see many of the wrecks and there are many on-shore wartime locations to visit. There are so many wrecks, that they have been declared as an underworld museum, complete with sake cups and skeletons, jeeps and tanks tied on board and fighter planes still waiting in the holds. An entire Japanese fleet, at Truk, which sank in February 1944, is frozen in time.
For anglers and divers there are incredible corals in a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes attracting divers worldwide for both daytime and night diving.
For culture enthusiasts
In Micronesia, culture dance and music is really important and this is really something special to see on your visit. The villages have units called the family groups. Normally a large family group will have three types of dwellings the community house is the largest where everyone gets together to dance sing and count their stone money. Then the nuclear families each have a sleeping house finally there is the men’s club house. Cooking is done outside in a separate, covered but unenclosed area.
Adventure and fun
Being relatively untouched by the modern electronic evils, adventurous activities among its pristine environs are the thing to do in FSM. The list is endless and you can engage in the activity of your choosing, ranging from nature walks in any of the numerous islands of the country, hiking trips, fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving or just letting go of all your anxieties by lazing on the beaches.
GETTING AROUND
Buses
There are no scheduled bus services except for one service in Yap, however, there may be buses available for hire or charter.
Taxis
All of Micronesia has inexpensive taxis that are readily available.
Car Hire
Car hire is available in the major towns.
Driving
Roads are often in poor condition and unpaved, there is also a lack of street lights.
Boats
Boat is the cheapest way to travel here with an extensive route system of commuter boats between the islands and departing from Chuuk as well as private speedboats which service the whole country.
ACCOMMODATION
It might be a remote country, known only to avid holidayers but its tourism industry is coming into is own slowly but there is no dearth of accommodation options- from bed and breakfasts, to camp grounds, health spas and retreats, hotels and resorts, vacations rentals and youth hostels- you have a large list to take your pick from. Yet one should be warned that there is not much in the way of budget rooms.
Although no two islands have similar kinds of accommodation styles but mostly all of them offer native style thatch cottages in addition to hotels and resorts. Guam, Saipan and Palau, which are comparatively the more developed islands, have international hotels. Several new hotels and a resort with an 18-hole golf course is present in Rota.
Its about time you bid farewell to your hectic social and professional lives in the cities and run away for a quiet holiday on a remote island.
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