Federated States of Micronesia. Micronesia Nauru Micronesia

Geography

Geographical device

Geographically, Micronesia is divided into:

Of these, the Western Carolinas and Mariana Islands- volcanic. The largest of the Marianas is the island of Guam, the capital is Agana. Local residents divide the archipelago into two parts - Ratak (sunrise islands) and Ralik (sunset islands).

The largest atolls: Bikini (Eshsholtsa), Rongelap (Rimsky-Korsakov), Maloelap (Arakcheeva), Majuro, Eniwetok (Brown), Kusaie, Uliti, Tarawa, etc., as well as the Senyavin islands (the largest of them is Ponape) and the Truk islands . Some of them have two names, including Russian ones. This is a memory of the Russian expedition led by Otto Kotzebue.

State structure

Currently, Micronesia is divided into several states.

Micronesia in computer games

Apparently, because of the size of the islands, the creators of the games Crysis and Far Cry really liked Micronesia: the action of these games takes place there.

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Excerpt characterizing Micronesia

Anna Pavlovna's living room began to gradually fill up. The highest nobility of St. Petersburg arrived, people of the most diverse ages and characters, but identical in the society in which they all lived; Prince Vasily's daughter, the beautiful Helen, arrived, picking up her father to go with him to the envoy's holiday. She was wearing a cipher and a ball gown. Also known as la femme la plus seduisante de Petersbourg [the most charming woman in St. Petersburg], the young, little princess Bolkonskaya, who got married last winter and now did not go out into the big world because of her pregnancy, but still went to small evenings, also arrived. Prince Hippolyte, the son of Prince Vasily, arrived with Mortemar, whom he introduced; Abbot Moriot and many others also arrived.
-Have you seen it yet? or: – you don’t know ma tante [my aunt]? - Anna Pavlovna said to the arriving guests and very seriously led them to a little old lady in high bows, who floated out from another room, as soon as the guests began to arrive, she called them by name, slowly moving her eyes from the guest to ma tante [auntie], and then walked away.
All the guests performed the ritual of greeting an unknown, uninteresting and unnecessary aunt. Anna Pavlovna watched their greetings with sad, solemn sympathy, silently approving them. Ma tante spoke to everyone in the same terms about his health, about her health and about the health of Her Majesty, which was now, thank God, better. All those who approached, without showing haste out of decency, with a feeling of relief at the fulfillment of a difficult duty, moved away from the old woman, so as not to approach her once all evening.
The young Princess Bolkonskaya arrived with her work in an embroidered gold velvet bag. Her pretty upper lip, with a slightly blackened mustache, was short in teeth, but it opened even more sweetly and sometimes stretched even more sweetly and fell onto the lower one. As is always the case with quite attractive women, her flaw—short lips and half-open mouth—seemed special to her, her actual beauty. Everyone had fun looking at this pretty expectant mother, full of health and vivacity, bearing her situation so easily. It seemed to the old people and bored, gloomy young people who looked at her that they themselves were becoming like her, having been and talked with her for a while. Whoever spoke to her and saw her bright smile and shiny white teeth, which were constantly visible, with every word, thought that he was especially kind today. And that's what everyone thought.
The little princess, waddled, walked around the table with small quick steps with her work bag on her arm and, cheerfully straightening her dress, sat down on the sofa, near the silver samovar, as if everything she did was part de plaisir [entertainment] for her and for everyone those around her.
“J"ai apporte mon ouvrage [I captured the work],” she said, unfolding her reticule and addressing everyone together.
“Look, Annette, ne me jouez pas un mauvais tour,” she turned to the hostess. – Vous m"avez ecrit, que c"etait une toute petite soiree; Voyez, comme je suis attifee. [Don't play a bad joke on me; you wrote to me that you were having a very short evening. You see how poorly I am dressed.]
And she spread her arms to show her lace-covered gray elegant dress, girded with a wide ribbon just below her breasts.
“Soyez tranquille, Lise, vous serez toujours la plus jolie [Be calm, you will be better than everyone else],” answered Anna Pavlovna.
“Vous savez, mon mari m"abandonne,” she continued in the same tone, addressing the general, “il va se faire tuer. Dites moi, pourquoi cette vilaine guerre, [You know, my husband is leaving me. He is going to his death. Tell me “Why this nasty war,” she said to Prince Vasily and, without waiting for an answer, turned to Prince Vasily’s daughter, the beautiful Helen.
– Quelle delicieuse personne, que cette petite princesse! [What a lovely person this little princess is!] - Prince Vasily said quietly to Anna Pavlovna.
Soon after the little princess, a massive, fat young man with a cropped head, glasses, light trousers in the fashion of that time, a high frill and a brown tailcoat entered. This fat young man was the illegitimate son of the famous Catherine’s nobleman, Count Bezukhy, who was now dying in Moscow. He had not served anywhere yet, he had just arrived from abroad, where he was brought up, and was for the first time in society. Anna Pavlovna greeted him with a bow that belonged to people of the lowest hierarchy in her salon. But, despite this inferior greeting, at the sight of Pierre entering, Anna Pavlovna’s face showed concern and fear, similar to that expressed at the sight of something too huge and unusual for the place. Although, indeed, Pierre was somewhat larger than the other men in the room, this fear could only relate to that intelligent and at the same time timid, observant and natural look that distinguished him from everyone in this living room.

Micronesia includes the Marianas, Carolines, Marshalls, Gilberts and Nauru islands. The state is located in the western part Pacific Ocean in the Caroline Islands. Length coastline 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. The amount of precipitation is from 1,500 to 4,000 mm per year in different parts of the archipelago (heavy downpours often occur on the eastern islands), 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. 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–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.

In 1869, Germany founded a trading station on Yap, which became the center of 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 League of Nations mandate to govern Micronesia only in 1921. It used the territory of the Caroline Islands for economic purposes (fishing, production of cassava flour and sugar cane alcohol) and 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 rule 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 UN Trust Territory administered by the US - a Trust Territory Pacific Islands(PTTO). 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 in favor of the creation Federated States 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 country's president was former President of the Congress of Micronesia Toshiwo 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 in coral reefs and marine life, but also in 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 have still preserved the centuries-old traditions and 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 hospitality local residents. 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. They love it here different kinds fish, shellfish and crabs. 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.

The content of the article

MICRONESIA, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), a state in the northwestern part of Oceania between 0 and 14° N latitude. and 136 and 166° E. (2500 km from west to east), occupies 607 islands of the Caroline archipelago (except for the islands of Palau, or Belau, in the west). Consists of four states: Yap, Chuuk (formerly Truk), Pohnpei (formerly Ponape) and Kosrae (formerly Kusai). The total land area is 702 square meters. km. (including Pohnpei 0.34 thousand sq. km., Chuuk 0.13 thousand sq. km., Yap 0.12 thousand sq. km., Kosrae 0.12 thousand sq. km.). Only 40 islands are significant in size. The largest of them are islands with the same names as the states. The capital is the city of Palikir on Pohnpei Island.

NATURE

By geological structure distinguish between low coral islands, rising 3–5 m above sea level, and higher volcanic ones (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae), with elevated mountainous central parts. Volcanic islands are surrounded by lagoons separated from the ocean by coral barrier reefs, often consisting of several dozen small islands. Many reefs have passages that allow ships to approach large islands.

The state of Yap includes seven small and four large islands (Yap, Map, Rumung, Gagil-Tomil) and 134 atolls, stretching from west to east over 1,100 km. Yap Island is characterized by hilly terrain with a maximum height of 178 m (Mount Tabiwol) and fertile soils. He's surrounded barrier reef. Most of the population of the state of the same name lives on the island of Japan. Administrative center state - the city of Colonia. The largest atoll of the Caroline Islands, Ulithi Island (8 sq. km) consists of 40 small islands. Fais Atoll in the Yap group is known for its phosphorite reserves.

Chuuk State, which occupies a central position in the FSM, is located 1,440 km east of Yap and consists of 15 small island groups scattered in the Pacific Ocean over a latitudinal distance of 480 km in the north and 960 km in the south. The state also includes the atolls of Namonuito (second in area in the world), consisting of 10 islands, Namoluk ( triangular shape), Laol, Pis, Talap, the islands of Pular, Puluwat, Kuop, Nama, Losap, Mortlock (100 islands in three groups - Etal, Lukunor and Satawan). The Chuuk Islands themselves are a compact group of 14 mountainous islands volcanic origin(Moen, Tol, Dublon, Fefan, Uman, etc.) with a total area of ​​72 sq. km, surrounded by a coral reef. Main city Chuuk Moen State is located on the island of the same name. Lagoon surrounding the 14 central islands of the Chuuk group with an area of ​​2000 square meters. km, serves as an excellent harbor for the port on the island of Dublon. Settlements are confined to the coasts of the islands.

The state of Pohnpei occupies the largest island of the same name, surrounded by a reef consisting of 2.5 dozen islets, half of which are of volcanic origin. The state also includes the islands of Ant (2 large and 12 small), Pakin, Oroluk (with small islands), Mokil (Urak, Manton, Mokil islands with excellent timber and several hundred small ones), Pingelap (Pingelap itself, Takai and Tagulu , united by one reef), as well as two isolated atolls, Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi (also known as Greenwich).

The soils of Pohnpei are fertile, lush forest vegetation covers the slopes that rise straight from the shores up to Mount Nana Laud (798 m), located in the center of the island. Numerous rivers and springs originate from it. drinking water. On this island is the capital of the state, Palikir, with the seats of government and congress, modern airport And sea ​​port. The administrative center of the state is the city of Colonia.

The state of Kosrae is located on the island of the same name and the surrounding reef in the extreme east of the FSM. The island is mountainous with highly dissected terrain (the most high point– Mount Finkol, 634 m above sea level), covered with thickets of excellent timber. The soils are fertile. There are significant reserves of river drinking water. The island of Kosrae is surrounded by a reef and has four convenient bays (Okat, Lelu, Taf and Utwe). The main settlements - Tafunsak, Lelu, Malem and Utwe - are located on the coast and are connected by an unpaved road. The main city of the state is Lelu. There is local air service to Pohnpei. The airport is operational.

The FSM climate 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 vegetation is represented mainly by virgin moist equatorial forests on the mountain slopes. On volcanic islands it is significantly more diverse than on coral islands. The coasts of volcanic islands are often covered with mangroves. On islands of both types grow coconut palm, breadfruit, pandanus, bananas. Europeans and Asians introduced citrus fruits, cassava, sweet potatoes, various tropical fruit trees, chocolate trees, and black pepper.

The land fauna is not very diverse. Bats, rats (brought on ships by the first Europeans), and lizards are represented. Many types of birds. Extremely diverse and rich animal world ocean, including many species of fish, crustaceans, bivalves, dolphins, and sometimes whales and dugongs.

POPULATION

As of July 2003, there were 108,143 people living in the FSM. Age composition of the population: under 15 years old - 38%, aged from 15 to 64 years old - 59%, over 65 years old - 3%. Average life expectancy is 69.13 years. Population growth in 2003 was 0.04%. The birth rate reaches 26.47 per 1000 inhabitants, the mortality rate is 5.1 per 1000. The emigration rate is 20.98 per 1000. Infant mortality is 32.39 per 1000 births.

The Compact of “Free Association” with the United States allows citizens of the country to freely choose their place of residence within the United States. Currently, in the USA (on the island of Guam, the Hawaiian Islands and on the mainland) approx. 15 thousand FSM citizens.

The ancestors of modern inhabitants of the Caroline Islands come from South-East Asia. Racially, they form a special group, formed as a result of the mixing of Australoid and Mongoloid elements. The atolls of Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi are inhabited by Polynesians. Ethnically, there are 9 groups.

The official language of the FSM and the language of international communication is English. The languages ​​of the indigenous population of the archipelago belong to the Eastern Oceanic group of the Oceanian branch of the Austronesian family: Yapese, Woleai, Ulithi and Sonsorol, Caroline, Truk, Kosrae, Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi. The last two are Polynesian languages. The writing of local languages ​​is based on the Latin script. Many older people speak Japanese.

50% are Catholics, 47% are Protestants, less than 1% of the population adheres to local traditional beliefs.

Ethnic composition and employment.

The ancestors of the modern inhabitants of the Caroline Islands come from Southeast Asia. According to the latest theories, Micronesia was settled in two ways - through the islands of the Malay Archipelago, and possibly the Japanese Islands, and also through Vanuatu (formerly the New Hebrides). The inhabitants of the Caroline Islands, like all Micronesians, form a special group racially, formed as a result of the mixing of Australoid and Mongoloid elements. They are characterized by fairly dark skin, wavy, straight and curly hair, and average height. The appearance of some Carolinians also contains Japanese, Chinese and European features. The atolls of Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi are inhabited by Polynesians.

The traditional occupations of the local population are fishing and farming. Small areas of forest cleared from forest are used for the cultivation of coconut palms, breadfruit, pandanus, yams, sweet potatoes, cassava, bananas, taro, and sugar cane. Currently, citrus fruits, various fruits (pineapples, papaya, mangoes, etc.), chocolate trees, and peppers (black and betel) are also grown. The population also engages in fishing and collecting mollusks and crustaceans on the reef. In recent years, employment in the tourism business (hotels, restaurants, agencies) and airports has been growing. In the cities, Carolinians work as petty employees and are engaged in handicrafts, in particular, making souvenirs.

Language and writing.

The official language of the FSM is English, which is also the language of interethnic communication. The languages ​​of the indigenous population of the archipelago belong to the Eastern Oceanic group of the Oceanic branch of the Austronesian family - Yapese, Woleai, Ulithi and Sonsorol, Caroline, Truk, Kosrae, Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi. The last two are Polynesian languages. The writing of local languages ​​is based on the Latin script. English is taught in all schools. Many older people speak Japanese.

Religion.

The population is overwhelmingly Christian, with roughly equal numbers of Catholics and Protestants. In some states Protestants predominate (over 98% in Kosrae), in others Catholics predominate (Chuuk State). Less than 1% of the population adheres to local traditional beliefs.

POLITICAL SYSTEM

The FSM is a democratic, federal presidential republic in a relationship of “free association” with the United States. The head of state and government is the president. Like the vice president, he is elected by Congress from among its members for a term of four years. In 2003, Joseph John Urusemal was elected President of Micronesia.

The highest legislative body is the National Congress, consisting of 14 members. 4 of them (sometimes called senators) are elected by the population for 4 years (one from each state), the remaining 10 are elected for 2 years in single-member constituencies (5 in Chuuk, 3 in Pohnpei, 1 each in Yap and Kosrae). The last elections took place in 2003. The minimum age to vote is 18 years.

Each of the 4 states has a governor and legislature elected by the people.

There are no official political parties.

Higher Judicial authority- Supreme Court.

FSM is a member of the UN (since 1991) and its specialized organizations, as well as a number regional organizations, for example the Pacific Forum.

It does not have its own armed forces. According to the Treaty of Free Association, the country's military protection is provided by the United States.

ECONOMY

Micronesia's economy is based on subsistence and semi-subsistence agriculture and fishing. The islands have few mineral resources, except for phosphates. There is significant potential for the development of the tourism industry, but its remote location, lack of developed infrastructure and established transport communication system are holding it back. Private sector grows slowly.

After the value of GDP reached $145 million in 1989, it declined in subsequent years and was estimated to be approximately $100 million in 2002, or approx. 2 thousand dollars per capita. Real GDP growth in 2002 reached 1%. Agriculture contributed 50% of the value of GDP, industry – 4%, services – 46%.

The inflation rate in 2002 was 1%. OK. 28% of the population lives below the official poverty level. Two thirds of the hired labor force works in the public sector. Unemployment in 1999 reached 16%.

Agriculture provides 60% of the country's food needs. Almost 50% of the working population year-round or during agricultural work. They grow coconut palm, breadfruit, pandanus, yam, sweet potato, cassava, bananas, taro, citrus fruits, papaya, mango, chocolate tree, pepper (black and betel) and other crops. Goats, sheep and buffalo are raised on Pohnpei. Some agricultural products are exported, mainly coconut products. The coconut palm, its leaves and nuts are the main food of the islanders. In recent years, the role of fishing in the country's economy has been increasing, since the ocean resources within the maritime economic zone (2.6 million sq. km.) are its property. Licensed fishing is carried out by Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Mexico and USA. The Micronesian Maritime Academy operates in Yap, training personnel for the development of fisheries.

Foreign tourism is developing. Every year the country is visited by approx. 25 thousand tourists, mainly from Australia and Japan. The industry is dominated by construction, fish processing, aquaculture, production of handicrafts and souvenirs from shells, wood and mother-of-pearl.

The main export items are copra (more than 50% of the export value), pepper (black and betel), fish (mainly tuna), trochus shells, coconut derivatives (edible and cosmetic oil, soap, creams), bananas, and local handicrafts. Export volume is 73 million dollars per year. Goods are exported primarily to Japan, the USA and Guam.

The value of imports is estimated at 168 million dollars (1996). FSM imports up to 40% of food products, industrial goods, cars and other machinery, and petroleum products. Main import partners: USA, Australia and Japan.

The total length of highways is 240 km, of which 42 km. have a hard coating. The main ports are Kolonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen. In 2002, there were 7 airports, 6 of which were paved.

Micronesia has 11 thousand telephone lines and 2 thousand Internet users, 6 radio and 2 television stations. The population owns 9.4 thousand radios and 2.8 thousand televisions.

The budget consists of taxes, exports of agricultural products, seafood, and licensing of tuna fishing by foreign countries in the maritime economic zone. US financial assistance helped cover the excess of expenses over income. In accordance with the Treaty of Free Association, in 1986–2001 the United States provided financial and technical assistance totaling $1.3 billion. Under the 2002 agreement, this assistance was significantly reduced. External debt 53.1 million dollars. Currency unit – US dollar.

SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Education.

According to the FSM constitution, education is financed from the central and regional budgets. Primary and secondary schools are owned by the state and religious missions. State governments provide basic education and teacher training, while central governments support and coordinate education at all levels. Young people receive vocational education at the Micronesian College in Palikir (opened in 1972, has faculties of business, pedagogy, applied arts, etc.), the Micronesian Vocational Center on the island of Kosrae, in the schools of agriculture and trade on Pohnpei, the Javier High School on Chuuk, and also in educational institutions in the USA (on the mainland, Guam and the Hawaiian Islands).

Healthcare.

Medical care to the population is provided in full by state medical institutions. True, in recent years private dental and medical practice has appeared on Pohnpei. The FSM government is recruiting doctors for the Public Health Program through service department US National Health and UN Development Programs. It also implements various health, nutrition and sanitation programs of the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the South Pacific Commission (SPAC). There are hospitals in every state, and there are several dispensaries and more than 100 outpatient clinics throughout the country. In difficult cases, patients are sent to hospitals on Guam and the Hawaiian Islands.

Culture.

The traditional culture of the FSM population 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 with the Western world in recent decades have changed the mentality of the younger generation of FSM 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 Temen Island (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 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 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 Yap and named the island Caroline Island (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, who arrived 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. So, 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.

In 1869, Germany founded 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 League of Nations mandate 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 rule 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 Marshall Islands) 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 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 Congress of Micronesia were held. In 1967, Congress created the Commission on the Future Political Status, which recommended seeking independence or establishing relations of “free association” 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. 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 country's president was the former president of the Congress of Micronesia, Toshiwo Nakayama, who took office in January 1980.

Throughout 1979–1986, the United States 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, 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.

Micronesia at the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century

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

The country's main problems remain high unemployment, declining fish catches and a high degree of dependence on American aid.

Federated States of Micronesia(Federated States of Micronesia) is a state in Oceania, located on the Caroline Islands, north of the coast of New Guinea.

Formally independent since November 3, 1986, the country remains closely tied to the United States ("free association with the United States" status) and heavily dependent on American economic assistance. According to the Association Agreement, the United States is obliged to provide defense and financially subsidize the FSM.

Geography

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a state in the Pacific Ocean, located in the northwestern part of Oceania in the Caroline Islands archipelago. between 0 and 14° N and 136 and 166° E. about 2500 miles southwest of Hawaiian Islands, lying directly above the equator. It is a state consisting of 607 small islands, only 40 of which are of significant size. Of the 607 islands, 65 are inhabited. FSM Consists of four states: Yap, Chuuk (formerly Truk), Pohnpei (formerly Ponape) and Kosrae (formerly Kusai). The capital is the city of Palikir on the island. Pohnpei. Although the country's total land area is only 270.8 square kilometers, it occupies more than 1 million square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean. Each of the four states consists of one or more high islands, usually of volcanic origin, and all except Kosrae include numerous atolls. State of Chuuk - The total area is 49.2 square kilometers and includes seven main groups of islands. The state of Pohnpei covers an area of ​​133.4 square kilometers, of which 130 are on the island of Pohnpei, the largest in the FSM. Yap State consists of 4 big islands, seven small islands and 134 atolls, with a total land area of ​​45.6 square kilometers. State of Kosrae one high island with an area of ​​42.3 square kilometers.

All large islands volcanic in origin, mountainous, covered with forest, surrounded by coral reefs. Others are atolls - ring-shaped coral islands containing a shallow lagoon inside. The highest point is Mount Nana Laud (on Pohnpei Island, height 798 m). Main languages: English (official), Japanese, Trukian, Pohnpei, Kosrae. The islands are connected by sea and air transport. There is a sea connection with west coast USA, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, Guam and air connections with Guam, Hawaii, Nauru, Japan.

Climate

The climate is equatorial and subequatorial, trade wind-monsoon type. Seasonal temperature fluctuations are insignificant. Average monthly temperatures are 26-33°. It often rains heavily here. The wettest month is April. Precipitation ranges from 2250 mm to 3000-6000 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 (terrible seasonal cyclones) occur; on average, there are up to 25 typhoons per year. Typhoon season is from August to December. Typhoons are characterized by destructive hurricane-force winds, the speed of which reaches 240 kilometers per hour.

Evergreen tropical forests, savannas; on large coral islands Coconut palm and pandanus predominate.

Population

Population - 107.2 thousand people (estimated as of July 2010).

Annual decline - 0.28% (high level of emigration from the country).

Birth rate - 22.6 people. per 1000 people (fertility - 2.8 births per woman)

Mortality - 4.4 people. per 1000 people

Emigration - 21 people. per 1000 people

Average life expectancy is 69 years for men and 73 years for women.

Ethnic composition: Chuuk - 48.8%, Ponape - 24.2%, Kosrae - 6.2%, Japanese - 5.2%, Outer Islands Japanese - 4.5%, Asians - 1.8%, Polynesians - 1 .5%, others - about 8% (according to the 2000 census).

Languages: English (official and interethnic communication), 8 local languages.

Religions: Catholics - 50%, Protestants - 47%, others - 3%.

Population literacy is 89%.

Story

In all likelihood, Micronesians began arriving on these islands from Asia in the second millennium BC. e. A monument to the pre-colonial period of history is the Nan Madol complex, located on the island of Ponape.

By the time Europeans began colonizing the islands local population was at the stage of decomposition of the primitive communal system. Society was divided into a number of social groups unequal in their status. Large territorial associations arose on some island groups, although states had not yet been created.

The Caroline Islands were discovered by the Spanish in 1527. In the 17th century, Spain declared Carolina as its possession, but actual control over the archipelago was not established. In 1885, Germany announced its claims to the Caroline Islands, and a German flag was hoisted on one of the islands. Spain turned to international arbitration, and the chosen arbitrator, Pope Leo XIII, awarded the islands to Spain.

In 1899, Germany bought the Caroline Islands from Spain.

During the First World War in 1914, the islands were captured by Japan; after the end of the war, according to the Treaty of Versailles, the islands were given to Japan as a “mandate territory”. The Japanese created large sugar plantations there, and the policy of relocating the Japanese to the Carolinas was actively pursued. Local residents were subjected to forced assimilation by the Japanese.

During World War II, the Carolinas were occupied by the United States, which since 1947 has administered them under a UN mandate as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

In 1978, the Caroline Islands received the status of a “freely associated territory of the United States” (an agreement signed in 1982).

Since November 3, 1986, the Federated States of Micronesia has been a sovereign state in free association with the United States. This status means that the United States is responsible for the defense of the FSM and is committed to financially subsidizing the FSM.

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 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.

There are no armed forces.

Administrative division

The FSM consists of 4 states.

Economy

GDP per capita in 2008 was $2.2 thousand (183rd place in the world).

Economic activities are mainly agriculture and fishing. Coconut palm, vegetables and fruits, bananas, tapioca, and black pepper are cultivated. Pigs, goats, dogs (for meat), and chickens are raised.

Industry - agricultural processing, soap factories, sawmills, boat manufacturing.

Export goods ($14 million) - fish, copra, black pepper, bananas, souvenirs (mainly to Japan and the USA).

Imports ($133 million) include food and industrial goods (mainly from the USA and Japan).

The islands have no mineral resources other than phosphates. There is potential for tourism business, but its development is hampered by the remoteness of the islands, the lack of appropriate structures and underdevelopment air traffic with the outside world.

Under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the United States allocated $1.3 billion to the FSM between 1986 and 2001. Then the amount of annual assistance was reduced, but constant multimillion-dollar cash flows from the United States were promised until 2023.

Member of the international organization of ACP countries.

Micronesia is inhabited by Micronesians, only on the outskirts of the state - Kapingamarangi Atoll - Polynesians predominate. Micronesians were formed as a result of the mixing of representatives of the Australoid and Mongoloid races. They are characterized by medium height, relatively dark, brownish skin color, and hair can be wavy, straight or curly.

The population density is quite high - 155 people/km2. The age composition of the population indicates the youth of a significant part of the country's inhabitants: 37-60-3. The average life expectancy of islanders is rising and is now around 70 years.

Micronesia has a high birth rate, reaching 25 people per 1000 inhabitants, and a very low mortality rate - 5 people per 1000 inhabitants. However, the country's population is declining somewhat. This is due to a negative migration balance of 21 people per 1,000 inhabitants.

The difficult economic situation of Micronesia, a fairly high level of unemployment and limited opportunities in receiving higher education forcing local residents to leave the islands. They are exchanging their exotic, tranquil corner of the Pacific Ocean for the bustle and vast opportunities of developed countries.
The population of Micronesia professes Christianity; 50% of the islanders consider themselves Catholics; 47% of the population consider themselves Protestants. About 1% of the population remains adherents of local traditional beliefs.

29% of Micronesians live in cities in Micronesia. The capital of the Federated States of Micronesia, Palikir, is located on the island of Pohnpei. For a long time, very few residents lived here, but after the US government financed the design and construction of the capital, the city's population grew and now stands at 7 thousand people. The government and the National Congress of the state meet here, and a modern airport and seaport are located.

The main part of the city consists of small two-story houses, the architecture of which is reminiscent of local traditions. It is noteworthy that they were built taking into account the direction of trade winds and the incidence of sunlight.