Micronesia, Federated States of

Micronesia, Federated States of Republic in the w Pacific Ocean, consisting of all the Caroline Islands except Belau. The 607 islands of the republic divide into four states: Kosrae, Pohnpei, Truk, and Yap. The capital, Palikir, is on the main island of Pohnpei. The archipelago is widely dispersed. Spain formally the islands in 1874, and sold them to Germany in 1899. In 1914, Japan occupied the archipelago and was given a mandate to govern by the League of Nations in 1920. In 1944, US naval forces captured the islands, and in 1947 they came under formal US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. In 1979, the Federated States of Micronesia came into being, with Belau remaining a US trust territory. In 1986, a compact of free association with the USA was signed. In 1990 UN trust status was annulled, and in 1991 Micronesia became a full member of the UN. The economy depends heavily on US aid. Land use is limited to subsistence agriculture. Area: 705sq km (272sq mi). Pop. (2000) 110,000.

http://www.fsmgov.org; http://www.fm