Oceania >> Federated States of Micronesia

Federated States of Micronesia

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Destinations in Federated States of Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia [1] is a country in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. It is composed of four major island groups totaling 607 islands that lie just north of the equator about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia, to the north of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands and to the south of the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.

Regions

There are 4 states:

Chuuk (Truk)
Kosrae (Kosaie)
Pohnpei (Ponape)
Yap

Cities

Palikir - Capital

Ports and harbors

Colonia - (Yap)
Kolonia - (Pohnpei)
Lele
Moen

Other destinations

The remote atoll of Kapingamarangi is the southernmost island group in FSM.

Culture and History

Climate

Tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage; Natural hazards : typhoons (June to December).

Terrain

Islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Truk

Highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m

History

National holiday: Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
Constitution: 10 May 1979

In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. On 3 November 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US; economic provisions of the Compact are being renegotiated.

Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)

Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.

Travel to Federated States of Micronesia - Visa Requirements

Flights and airtickets to Federated States of Micronesia

The major airline that travels to FSM is Continental Airlines, which operates a thrice-weekly "island hopper" flight (CO956 eastbound, CO957 westbound) traveling Honolulu—Majuro—Kwajalein—Kosrae—Pohnpei—Chuuk—Guam and vice versa. The flight is fourteen and a half hours, leaving in the early morning and terminating in the evening, with a stop of about one hour on each island. There are also nonstop flights from various islands to both Honolulu and Guam.

Honolulu is the most direct gateway into the islands from North America. Guam is the most direct gateway from most points in Asia and Australia, although it is also possible to fly into the islands from Manila via Palau.

By boat

The major international ports are; Chuuk,Pohnpei and Yap. There are inter-island trading ships based in these major ports which visits the outlying islands.

Tours and Getting around Federated States of Micronesia

Bus

Even though there are no bus scheduled service on the island, some buses are available to hire or charter. Also, on Yap there is a school bus that runs twice daily from Colonia to the villages.

Taxi

Taxi service is available throughout the islands and are inexpensive.

Car Hire

There are self-driven cars available in the major towns of the islands. However, It is required to have a National Driver's License or International Driving Permit.

Talk

Languages: English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi