The first inhabitants of these islands were immigrants from Asia and Polynesia. They began to move to the archipelago in the 2nd millennium BC.
In the 16-17 centuries, the Spaniards appeared here, who named the archipelago they discovered Caroline in honor of the King of Spain, Charles II. In the 17th century, the Spaniards established their government on the island of Yap and owned the Caroline Islands until 1899. At the beginning of the 18th century, the first Catholic missionaries arrived in the archipelago, but they were killed by the natives. This slowed down the process of colonization of the islands until the end of the 19th century. In 1885, the German authorities also announced their claims to the Caroline Islands. However, having concluded a peace treaty with the Germans, the Spaniards retained dominance in the archipelago. German merchants were only allowed to open their plantations with factories on the islands. But already in 1889, the Spaniards sold the rights to own the islands to Germany. Under the Germans, the main occupation in the archipelago was the arrangement of coconut plantations for the production of copra for export.
In the fall of 1914, Micronesia, which included the Caroline Islands, the Marshall Islands and the Mariana Islands, was occupied by Japanese troops. In 1920, the UN gave Japan a mandate to govern these territories. During Japanese rule, numerous Japanese settlements appeared on the archipelago. The main occupations were the production of cane sugar, the extraction of phosphates, fishing and fruit growing. The Japanese did not reckon with the local population and took away the best lands from them.
During World War II, there were fierce battles between American and Japanese troops on the archipelago. As a result of the war, the Caroline Islands, along with the Marshall and Mariana Islands, came under US control and became part of the established Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. The Carolines were first administered by the US Navy and, from 1951, by the US Department of the Interior.
Since the 1960s, Micronesia began to think about internal self-government. On this occasion, negotiations were held between representatives of the Congress of Micronesia and the United States. In 1978, a referendum was held and the majority of votes were cast in favor of the creation of the Federated States of Micronesia. In order to unite, on May 10, 1979, the four major islands of the Caroline Archipelago adopted a common constitution. They entered into an Agreement of Free Association with the United States, under which the United States guaranteed the country economic support and the preservation of internal self-government in exchange for the fact that the United States would decide on its defense issues.
Today, the economy of the Federated States of Micronesia is heavily dependent on US aid, and one of the main problems of the country is the high unemployment rate.
Religion in Federated States of Micronesia
Most of the believing population of the country are Christians, 50% are Catholics and 47% are Protestants, less than 1% of the population adheres to local traditional beliefs.
Transport in Federated States of Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia can be reached by plane with transfers in Guam, Honolulu, Manila and Tokyo.
Within the country, a network of local airlines is developed, through which you can get from one island to another. Ferries also run between the islands.
There are no bus routes on the islands. Here you can order only private buses. There are taxis in the main cities of each island. It is most convenient and inexpensive to move around on them. If you have a valid international driver’s license, you can rent a car.
Plant and Animal World in Federated States of Micronesia
On the volcanic islands, the slopes of the mountains are covered with moist equatorial forests, and on the coasts there are mangroves. Coconut and banana palms and pandanuses grow on the coral islands. Also in the country grow citrus and fruit trees, cassava, sweet potato and Hong Kong orchid.
In the forests, you can find many birds, a variety of lizards and small fruit-eating bats. The coastal waters are home to sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles, rays, marlin, tuna, barracuda, sailfish and a variety of tropical fish.
Minerals in Federated States of Micronesia
The islands have deposits of phosphates.
Banks in Federated States of Micronesia
Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 17:00 with a lunch break from 12:00 to 13:00 and on Saturday from 9:00 to 12:00.
Money in Federated States of Micronesia
The official currency of the country is the US dollar. 1 US dollar is equal to 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars, as well as coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1 dollar.
Credit cards are accepted only in major cities of the main islands of the country. Traveler’s checks are best purchased in US dollars.
Currency: US dollar (USD)
POLITICAL STATUS in Federated States of Micronesia
According to politicsezine, the Federated States of Micronesia is a democratic republic. The head of state and government is the president. The president is elected by the members of the government from the governors of the four states. Executive power is concentrated in the hands of the government, legislative – in the hands of the government and the National Congress. There are no political parties in the country. Under the agreement on free association, the country’s military protection is provided by the United States.
Population in Federated States of Micronesia
Most of the country’s population is made up of Micronesians, who appeared as a result of mixing the Australoid and Mongoloid races. Polynesians also live on the island of Pohnpei.
Language:
The official language of the country is English. The local population of each island communicates with each other in different Micronesian dialects.
Cuisine in Federated States of Micronesia
The main ingredients of the local cuisine are sweet potatoes “yams”, breadfruit and coconuts. Meat dishes are most often prepared with pork, but seafood dishes are more popular – all kinds of fish, crabs and shellfish.
For drinks, locals drink freshly squeezed lemon juice and water. Be sure to try the national alcoholic drink “sakua”, which is made from the juice of the hibiscus bark. It is worth noting that alcohol is prohibited on Chuuk Island.
