Micronesia | Facts & Information

Updated September 9, 2022 | Infoplease Staff
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Facts & Figures

  • President: Peter M. Christian (2015)

    Total area: 271 sq mi (702 sq km). Land area, same (includes islands of Pohnpei, Yap, Chuuk, and Kosrae)

    Population (2014 est.): 105,681  (growth rate: –0.42); birth rate: 20.97/1000; infant mortality rate: 21.93/1000; life expectancy: 72.35

    Capital (2011 est.): Palikir 7,000

    Monetary unit: U.S. Dollar

    Current government officials

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

    Ethnicity/race: Chuukese/Mortlockese 49.3%, Pohnpeian 29.8%, Kosraean 6.3%, Yapese 5.7%, Yap outer islanders 5.1%, Polynesian 1.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 0.8% (2010 est.)

    Religions: Roman Catholic 54.7%, Protestant 41.1% (includes Congregational 38.5%, Baptist 1.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 0.8%, Assembly of God .7%), Mormon 1.5%, other 1.9%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)

    National Holiday: Constitution Day, May 10

    Literacy rate: 89% (1980 est.)

    Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2013 est.): $754 million; note: data are in 2013 US dollars; GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually; per capita $7,300 (2013 est.). Real growth rate: 0.6%. Inflation: 3.4%. Unemployment: 22% (2000 est.). Arable land: 2.86%. Agriculture: black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish. Labor force: 15,920 (2011); agriculture: 0.9%, industry: 20.6%, services: 78.5%; note: two-thirds are government employees (2011 est.). Industries: tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items from shell, wood, and pearls. Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals. Exports: $24.9 million (2009 est.): fish, garments, bananas, black pepper. Imports: $132.7 million (2004 est.): food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages. Major trading partners: Japan, U.S., Hong Kong, Guam (2006).

    Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 8,400 (2012); mobile cellular: 27,600 (2012). Broadcast media: no TV broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel cable service with TV transmissions carrying roughly 95% imported programming and 5% local programming; about a half dozen radio stations (2009). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 4,668 (2012). Internet users: 17,000 (2009).

    Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 240 km; paved: 42 km; unpaved: 198 km (2000 est.). Ports and harbors: Colonia (Tomil Harbor), Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor. Airports: 6 (2013).

    International disputes: none.

    Major sources and definitions

See also: