Micronesia, Federated States of: Background & Geography
| Introduction | Micronesia, Federated States of |
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Background:
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In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid. |
| Geography | Micronesia, Federated States of |
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Location:
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Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia |
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Geographic coordinates:
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6 55 N, 158 15 E |
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area:
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total: 702 sq km
note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie) water: 0 sq km (fresh water only) land: 702 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only) |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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6,112 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage |
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Terrain:
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islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m |
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Natural resources:
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forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals |
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Land use:
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arable land: 5.71%
permanent crops: 45.71% other: 48.58% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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NA sq km |
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Natural hazards:
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typhoons (June to December) |
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Environment - current issues:
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overfishing, climate change, pollution |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
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Geography - note:
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four major island groups totaling 607 islands |