Mokil , or known to the locals as Mwoakilloa , is one of 6 outer-island municipalities on Mokil Atoll in the state of Pohnpei , Federated States of Micronesia . Almost 200 people live on a land area of about 1 square km.
78-620: The atoll was formerly known as Wellington Island . The atoll is home to a local legend of a Princess Eti, who could speak in many tongues, and communicated with the first French explorers to the island. 6°41′29″N 159°45′49″E / 6.6915°N 159.7635°E / 6.6915; 159.7635 This Federated States of Micronesia location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Federated States of Micronesia The Federated States of Micronesia ( / ˌ m aɪ k r oʊ ˈ n iː ʒ ə / ; abbreviated FSM ), or simply Micronesia ,
156-574: A Compact of Free Association with the United States, which entered into force on November 3, 1986, marking Micronesia's emergence from trusteeship to independence. Independence was formally concluded under international law in 1990, when the United Nations officially ended the Trusteeship status pursuant to Security Council Resolution 683 . The Compact was renewed in 2004. In February 2021, due to
234-638: A bitter leadership dispute, the Federated States of Micronesia announced it would quit the Pacific Islands Forum in its formal process of withdrawal. However, in June 2022, the Suva Agreement was reached and the Federated States of Micronesia agreed to remain in the forum. The Federated States of Micronesia is governed by the 1979 constitution , which guarantees fundamental human rights and establishes
312-456: A cultural region, as they have much more in common with each other in cultural practices and social organization than with other neighboring societies in the Philippines, Indonesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia. The Micronesian cultures evolved from a common foundation and share a common dominator in the relationship and dependence they have with their ancestral lands. The ancestral land influenced
390-755: A large sub-family called the Chuukic–Pohnpeic languages containing 11 languages. The Yapese language is a separate branch of the Oceanic languages, outside of the Micronesian branch. Two Malayo-Polynesian languages are spoken that do not belong to the Oceanic languages : Chamorro in the Mariana Islands and Palauan in Palau . Micronesian navigation techniques are those navigation skills used for thousands of years by
468-675: A network of canals, is often called the Venice of the Pacific. It is located on the eastern periphery of the island of Pohnpei and used to be the ceremonial and political seat of the Saudeleur dynasty that united Pohnpei's estimated 25,000 people from about AD 500 until 1500 when the centralized system collapsed. European explorers—first the Portuguese in search of the Spice Islands ( Indonesia ) and then
546-907: A region of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean . They are a part of the Austronesian ethnolinguistic group, which has an Urheimat in Taiwan . Ethno-linguistic groups classified as Micronesian include the Carolinians ( Northern Mariana Islands ), Chamorros ( Guam & Northern Mariana Islands ), Chuukese , Mortlockese , Namonuito , Paafang , Puluwat and Pollapese ( Chuuk ), I-Kiribati ( Kiribati ), Kosraeans ( Kosrae ), Marshallese ( Marshall Islands ), Nauruans ( Nauru ), Palauan , Sonsorolese , and Hatohobei ( Palau ), Pohnpeians , Pingelapese , Ngatikese , Mwokilese ( Pohnpei ), and Yapese , Ulithian , Woleian , Satawalese ( Yap ). Based on
624-409: A separation of governmental powers. This constitution constructs the national government to be similar to – but not exactly alike – that of the United States. The unicameral Congress has fourteen members elected by popular vote. Four senators—one from each state—serve four-year terms; the remaining ten senators represent single-member districts based on population and serve two-year terms. Congress elects
702-619: A white star on the national flag. The capital is Palikir , on Pohnpei. Two terrestrial ecoregions lie within the country's borders: Carolines tropical moist forests and Yap tropical dry forests . It had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 7.55/10, ranking it 37th globally out of 172 countries. The major coastal communities are mangrove forests, seagrass beds, lagoons and coral reefs, biologically and physically linked. About 300 species of coral, 1000 species of fish and 1200 species of mollusks are recognized in Micronesia. In
780-516: Is Carolinian , called Refaluwasch by native speakers, which has a total of about 5,700 speakers. The Refaluwasch have a matriarchal society in which respect is a very important factor in their daily lives, especially toward the matriarchs . Most Refaluwasch are of the Roman Catholic faith. The immigration of Refaluwasch to Saipan began in the early 19th century, after the Spanish reduced
858-469: Is a result of intermarriages between Japanese settlers and Micronesians during the Japanese colonial period. There is also a growing expatriate population of Americans, Australians, Europeans, and residents from China and the Philippines since the 1990s. English has become the common language of the government, and for secondary and tertiary education. Outside of the main capital towns of the four FSM states,
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#1732850996194936-457: Is a sovereign, self-governing state in free association with the United States of America , which is wholly responsible for its defense. The FSM National Police operates a Maritime Wing Unit. The Compact of Free Association allows FSM citizens to join the U.S. military without having to obtain U.S. permanent residency or citizenship, allows for immigration and employment for Micronesians in
1014-503: Is also known as Hatohobei or Tobi. It is closely related to Sonsorolese . The Tobians share a cultural heritage that shows close ties with peoples of the central Caroline Islands , more than 1000 km to the northeast and on the other side of Palau. The Yapese people are a Micronesian ethnic group that number around 15,000. They are native to the main island of Yap and speak the Yapese language . Fifteen distinct languages are spoken by
1092-474: Is among the highest in the world, absorbing about 2500 grams of carbon per square meter per year, against 2200 grams in the tropical forest and 125 grams in the open sea. Inland, from the tidal zone to the top of the mountains there is a varied range of vegetation , cloud forest, upland, palm, plantation, areas dominated by climbers of the genus Merremia, savannas, native secondary forest, fragments of introduced trees, cultivated areas, freshwater swamps, swamps of
1170-528: Is an island country in Micronesia , a subregion of Oceania . The federation consists of four states —from west to east: Yap , Chuuk , Pohnpei , and Kosrae —that span across the western Pacific just north of the equator , for a longitudinal distance of almost 2,700 km (1,700 mi). Together, the states comprise around 607 islands and a combined land area of approximately 702 km or 271 sq mi. The entire island nation lies across
1248-648: Is an estimated 6,000 people of Banaban descent in Fiji and other countries. The Banabans spoke the Banaban language , which has gone extinct due to a shift to the Gilbertese language, introduced by Christian missionaries that translated the Bible into Gilbertese and encouraged the Banabans to read it. Today, only a few words remain of the original Banaban language. Today, the Banabans speak
1326-583: Is relatively small; but FSM's waters occupy nearly 3 million km (1.2 million sq mi) of the Pacific Ocean , giving the country the 14th-largest exclusive economic zone in the world. The island nation's capital is Palikir , located on Pohnpei Island ; the largest city is Weno , an island municipality located in the Chuuk Lagoon . Each of its four states is centered on one or more main volcanic islands , and all but Kosrae include numerous outlying atolls . The FSM spreads across part of
1404-407: Is served by four international airports. Economic activity in the Federated States of Micronesia consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing . The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate . Long line fishing of tuna is also viable with foreign vessels from China that operated in the 1990s. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but
1482-493: Is the center of their farming practices, although breadfruit has a symbolic importance. The Pohnpeians or Ponapeans are the indigenous people of Pohnpei . They number around 28,000. They speak the Pohnpeian language . Pohnpeian historic society was highly structured into five tribes, various clans and sub-clans; each tribe headed by two principal chiefs. The tribes were organized on a feudal basis. In theory, "all land belonged to
1560-465: Is warm, humid and rainy all year round. The islands are located north of the equator and are affected by constant trade winds, which temper the climate. Minimum temperatures range all year round between 22 and 25 °C, and maximum temperatures between 30 and 32 °C. The abundant precipitations oscillate between 2500 and 5000 mm per year, although in the faces oriented to the wind they can surpass 6000 mm. Mount Nahnalaud, only 750 m high, on
1638-545: The Baháʼí Faith . There is a small group of Buddhists on Pohnpei, and a small group of Ahmadiyya Muslims in both Pohnpei and Kosrae. Attendance at religious services is generally high; churches are well supported by their congregations and play a significant role in civil society. In the 1890s, on the island of Pohnpei, intermissionary conflicts and the conversion of clan leaders resulted in religious divisions along clan lines which persist today. More Protestants live on
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#17328509961941716-549: The Caroline Islands in the wider region of Micronesia , which region consists of thousands of small islands divided among several countries. The term Micronesia may refer to the Federated States of Micronesia or to the region as a whole. The FSM was a part of the former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), a United Nations Trust Territory administered by the United States from 1947 to 1994. On May 10, 1979
1794-593: The Federated States of Micronesia . The Sonsorolese are linguistically related to the Tobians. Most Sonsorolese live in the village of Echang near Koror , where they moved for economic reasons. The Sonsorolese are both linguistically and culturally most closely related to Carolinians. Ethnographic information about them was left by Jose Somera , a member of the Don Francisco Padilla expedition who discovered
1872-645: The Gilbert Islands , Marshall Islands , eastern and central Caroline Islands , Sonsorol , Pulo Anna , Merir and Tobi . The migrants from the east belonged to the Lapita culture and settled eastern Micronesia over the course of several hundreds of years from perhaps the Santa Cruz Islands , around 500-100 BC. In the following centuries, the Oceanic language variant brought by the Lapita migrants diverged and became
1950-460: The Micronesian Games , the nation's football championship and the Micronesia national football team . The Federated States of Micronesia Athletic Association is the governing body for the country's sports and athletics. Each of the four states has its own culture and traditions, but there are also common cultural and economic bonds that are centuries old. Cultural similarities include
2028-595: The Micronesian branch of the Oceanic languages. John Lynch tentatively proposes a relationship between the Micronesian languages and the Loyalty Islands languages of Melanesia, but with the caveat "that this is something that could well be further investigated, even if only to confirm that Micronesian languages did not originate in the Loyalties." Yap was settled separately approximately 2000 years ago, as its language
2106-606: The Pacific Islands Forum . However, in February 2021, FSM announced it would be formally withdrawing from the Forum in a joint statement with Marshall Islands , Kiribati , and Nauru after a dispute regarding Henry Puna 's election as the Forum's secretary-general. In February 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine , FSM severed its diplomatic relations with Russia and called the invasion "unjustified and brutal". The four states in
2184-572: The Spanish —reached the Carolines in the sixteenth century. The Treaty of Tordesillas gave these lands to Spain and the Spanish incorporated the archipelago to the Spanish East Indies through the capital, Manila , and in the 19th century established several outposts and missions. In 1887, they founded the town of Santiago de la Ascensión in what today is Kolonia on the island of Pohnpei. In
2262-511: The alap managed the clan and the rijerbal (worker) were commoners that worked the land. The three social classes treated each other well and with mutual respect. The Nauruans are an ethnicity inhabiting the Pacific island of Nauru . They are most likely a blend of other Pacific peoples . The origin of the Nauruan people has not yet been finally determined. It can possibly be explained by
2340-549: The crab claw sail ), which enabled their rapid dispersal into the islands of the Indo-Pacific . From 2000 BCE the Austronesians assimilated (or were assimilated by) the earlier populations on the islands in their migration pathway. This intermingling occurred in the northern coast of New Guinea and adjacent islands, which was the location where the Oceanic language family developed around four thousand years or so ago, after
2418-596: The 1870s, Germany began extending its sphere of influence in the Caroline Islands, leading to the Carolines Question of 1885 in which Pope Leo XIII was asked to determine if Germany or Spain had authority over the islands. The result was a confirmation of Spanish authority over the islands, but Germany would have free access to the islands. Following defeat in the Spanish–American War , the Spanish sold
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2496-567: The Austronesian languages of this area grew distinct and became a separate branch of the Austronesian family. Migrants entered Micronesia from the east and the west. Migrants from the west came from the Philippines and Indonesia , and settled the Marianas around 3500 years ago, after which Palau was settled around 3000 years ago. Migrants from the east came from eastern Melanesia and settled
2574-753: The Banaban dialect of Gilbertese, which includes words from the old Banaban language. The Refaluwasch people are a Micronesian ethnic group who originated in Oceania, in the Caroline Islands , with a total population of over 8,500 people in northern Mariana . They are also known as Remathau in the Yap's outer islands. The Carolinian word means "People of the Deep Sea." It is thought that their ancestors may have originally immigrated from Asia , Indonesia , Melanesia and to Micronesia around 2,000 years ago. Their primary language
2652-519: The Federated States of Micronesia are 97% Christian . More than half of the population follows the Catholic Church (55%) and about 42% follow various Protestant Christian groups. In general this is due to Spanish and German colonial history. Spanish rule meant that a large part of the population remained Catholic. During the German colonial period, until 1914, Catholic and Protestant missionaries from
2730-1024: The German Empire were deployed. Several Protestant denominations, as well as the Roman Catholic Church , are present in every Micronesian state. Most Protestant groups trace their roots to American Congregationalist missionaries. On the island of Kosrae, the population is approximately 7,800; 95 percent are Protestants. On Pohnpei , the population of 35,000 is evenly divided between Protestants and Catholics. Most immigrants are Filipino Catholics who have joined local Catholic churches, e.g. Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Pohnpei. On Chuuk and Yap, an estimated 60 percent are Catholic and 40 percent are Protestant. Religious groups with small followings include Baptists , Assemblies of God , Salvation Army , Seventh-day Adventists , Jehovah's Witnesses , The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and
2808-597: The Mariana Islands. The study also supports the Admiralty Islands as the source of the Central Micronesian peoples and languages. The Micronesian peoples can be divided into two cultural groups, the high-islanders and the low-islanders . The Palauans, Chamorros, Yapese, Chuukese, Pohnpeians, Kosraeans, Nauruans and Banabans belong to the high-islander group. The inhabitants of the low islands ( atolls ) are
2886-819: The Marshallese and the Kiribati, whose culture is distinct from the high-islanders. Low-islanders had better navigation and canoe technology, as a means of survival. High-islanders had access to reliable and abundant resources and did not need to travel much outside of their islands. High islands also possessed larger populations. Archeological evidence has revealed that some of the Bonin Islands were prehistorically inhabited by members of an unknown Micronesian ethnicity. Raobeia Ken Sigrah claims that Banabans, native to Banaba , are ethnically distinct from other I-Kiribati. The Banabans were assimilated through forced migrations and
2964-550: The Micronesians. The largest group of languages spoken by the Micronesians are the Micronesian languages . They belong to the family of Oceanic languages , part of the Austronesian language group. They descended from the Proto-Oceanic language, which in turn descended via Proto-Malayo-Polynesian from Proto-Austronesian . The languages in the Micronesian family are Marshallese , Gilbertese , Kosraean , Nauruan , as well as
3042-508: The Philippines such as the Kankanaey and the Amis and Atayal of Taiwan . The first wave of First Remote Oceanian lineage settled the Mariana Islands around 2800 BCE. A second separate wave settled Palau around 2400 BCE. A third separate wave settled Central Micronesia around 2100 BCE. The peoples of Central Micronesia and Palau have a degree of Papuan ancestry, but this is absent from the peoples of
3120-516: The President and Vice President from among the four state-based senators to serve four-year terms in the executive branch. Their congressional seats are then filled by special elections. An appointed cabinet supports the president and vice president. There are no formal political parties. In international politics, the Federated States of Micronesia has often voted with the United States concerning United Nations General Assembly resolutions. The FSM
3198-762: The U.S., and establishes economic and technical aid programs. FSM has foreign relations with 56 countries, including the Holy See and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta . FSM was admitted to the United Nations based on the Security Council 's recommendation on August 9, 1991, in Resolution 703 and the General Assembly 's approval on September 17, 1991, in Resolution 46/2. The FSM was an active member of
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3276-519: The United Nations and has been a member of the Pacific Community since 1983. The ancestors of the Micronesians settled over four thousand years ago. A decentralized chieftain-based system eventually evolved into a more centralized economic and religious culture centered on Yap Island . Nan Madol , a UNESCO World Heritage Site , consisting of a series of small artificial islands linked by
3354-632: The United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Micronesia. The Chamorro are commonly believed to have come from Southeast Asia at around 2000 BC . They are most closely related to other Austronesian natives to the west in the Philippines and Taiwan , as well as the Carolines to the south. The Chamorro language is included in the Malayo-Polynesian subgroup of the Austronesian family. Because Guam
3432-470: The archipelago to Germany in 1899 under the German–Spanish Treaty of 1899 . Germany incorporated it into German New Guinea . (A few remote islands, notably Kapingamarangi , were not specifically named in the treaty, but this remained unnoticed until the late 1940s and, while acknowledging the historical curiosity in 1949, Spain has made no modern claims to the islands. ) During World War I , it
3510-498: The chiefs, who received regular tribute and whose rule was absolute." Punishments administered by chiefs included death and banishment. Tribal wars included looting, destruction of houses and canoes and killing of prisoners. The Sonsorolese are Micronesian people, that inhabit the islands of Pulo Anna , Merir and Sonsorol in the island nation of Palau . A small proportion live in both the Northern Mariana Islands and
3588-496: The community. Authority was based on age, and Micronesians were taught to respect and hold their elders in high regard, which they would express by being silent in the presence of their elders. The elders would mediate and resolve conflicts. Most Micronesian peoples lacked musical instruments, and thus produced music only by song and chants. Important men would have songs composed about their abilities or deeds, by wives or partners. These songs could live on even after death and give
3666-409: The current scientific consensus, the Micronesians are considered, by linguistic, archaeological, and human genetic evidence, to be a subset of the sea-migrating Austronesian people , who include the Polynesians and the Melanesians . Austronesians were the first people to invent oceangoing sailing technologies (notably double-hulled sailing canoes , outrigger boats , lashed-lug boat building , and
3744-580: The federation are, from west to east: These states are further divided into municipalities . The Federated States of Micronesia consists of 607 islands extending 2,900 km (1,802 mi) across the archipelago of the Caroline Islands east of the Philippines . The islands have a combined area of 702 km (271 sq mi). The islands are grouped into four states, which are Yap , Chuuk (called Truk until January 1990), Pohnpei (known as "Ponape" until November 1984), and Kosrae (formerly Kusaie). These four states are each represented by
3822-408: The heavy impact of the discovery of phosphate in 1900 . After 1945, the British authorities relocated most of the population to Rabi Island , Fiji , with subsequent waves of emigration in 1977, and from 1981 to 1983. Some Banabans subsequently returned, following the end of mining in 1979; approximately 300 were living on the island in 2001. The population of Banaba in the 2010 census was 295. There
3900-438: The importance of the traditional extended family and clan systems and are found on all the islands. The island of Yap is notable for its "stone money" ( Rai stones ), large disks usually of calcite, up to 4 meters (13 ft) in diameter, with a hole in the middle. The islanders, aware of the owner of a piece, do not necessarily move them when ownership changes. There are five major types: Mmbul , Gaw , Ray , Yar , and Reng ,
3978-404: The indigenous people of Kosrae . They speak the Kosraean language . They number around 8,400 as of 2013. The Marshallese people ( Marshallese : kajoor ri-Ṃajeḷ , laḷ ri-Ṃajeḷ ) are the indigenous inhabitants of the Marshall Islands . They numbered 70,000 as of 2013. Marshallese society was organized into three social classes; the iroji was the chief or landowner that headed several clans,
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#17328509961944056-447: The island of Pohnpei, receives an average of 10,160 mm, being one of the rainiest places on earth, with almost always overcast skies. In general, the rains are produced by showers and storms of short duration but very intense. The driest places are the flat atolls, where rainfall can drop below 3000 mm. The driest months are January and February, with no less than 250 mm and 20 days of rain. The Federated States of Micronesia
4134-423: The island to either help or harm the living. A natural death would produce a benevolent ghost while an unnatural death would produce a malovent ghost. Other spirits were associated with places, natural objects, special crafts and activities. Various professions would make chants and offerings to their patron spirits, which they believed would control the outcome of their efforts. Micronesians believed that all sickness
4212-430: The islands in 1710. According to him, their clothing consisted of an apron, cloak and conical hat, and was similar to that described by Paul Klein in 1696 among the Carolinians. Tobian is a Micronesian language spoken in the Hatohobei (Tobi) and Koror states in Palau by about 150 people. In particular it is spoken on the island of Tobi (Torovei) in Hatohobei State, and also on Koro Island in Koror State. Tobian
4290-401: The islands ratified a constitutional government and then became a sovereign state after attaining independence on November 3, 1986—under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Other neighboring island entities (also former members of the TTPI), also formed constitutional governments, becoming the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau . The FSM has a seat in
4368-594: The last Malayo-Pacific human migration ( c. 1200 ). It was probably seafaring or shipwrecked Polynesians or Melanesians that established themselves in Nauru because there was not already an indigenous people present, whereas the Micronesians were already crossed with the Melanesians in this area. The Palauans or Belauans ( Palauan : Belau , ngukokl a Belau ) — are the indigenous people of Palau . They numbered around 26,600 as of 2013. Palauans are not noted for being great long-distance voyagers and navigators when compared to other Micronesian peoples. The taro
4446-403: The last being only 30 cm (12 in) in diameter. Their value is based on both size and history, many of them having been brought from other islands, as far as New Guinea , but most coming in ancient times from Palau . Approximately 6,500 of them are scattered around the island. Pohnpei is home to Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia , a UNESCO World Heritage Site , but
4524-400: The local languages are primarily spoken. In the Catholic mission of Pohnpei , among the Mercedarian missionaries, considered an institution in the country, Spanish is also spoken. Growth remains high at more than 3% annually, offset somewhat by net emigration. English is the official and common language. Aside from English, the following Austronesian languages are spoken: The people of
4602-417: The local population of Chamorro natives to just 3,700. They began to immigrate mostly sailing from small canoes from other islands, which a typhoon previously devastated. The Refaluwasch have a much darker complexion than the native Chamorros . The Chamorro people are the indigenous peoples of the Mariana Islands , which are politically divided between the United States territory of Guam and
4680-595: The lower castes have some distinct dances, such as a woman's standing dance, but can only dance when authorized by a person of a higher caste. The following papers have been published in the FSM: There have been very few published literary writers from the Federated States of Micronesia. In 2008, Emelihter Kihleng became the first ever Micronesian to publish a collection of poetry in the English language. Government General information Micronesians The Micronesians or Micronesian peoples are various closely related ethnic groups native to Micronesia ,
4758-537: The main concerns of the FSM. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are major impediments to long-term growth. The indigenous population of the nation, which is predominantly Micronesian , consists of various ethnolinguistic groups. It has a nearly 100% Pacific Islander and Asian population: Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Yap outer islands 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, other 6.4%, unknown 1.4%. A sizable minority also have some Japanese ancestry , which
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#17328509961944836-434: The mangrove forests there are shrimps, crabs and fish, as well as birds that feed on them. Seagrass meadows appear offshore following the mangroves. The lagoons provide food for the reef inhabitants and contain various kinds of plankton. The biodiversity and complexity of the coral reefs increases markedly from east to west, with 150 species of hard coral at Kosrae, 200 at Pohnpei and 300 at Chuuk. Coral productivity in this area
4914-607: The men a heroic status. The traditional religions of Micronesia were extremely heterogeneous. However, very little is known about most of them, as the islands were evangelized very early (from the 16th to 18th centuries) so that the indigenous religions could only survive on a few islands. However, some important manifestations of religious practice and thought can be identified for the entire Micronesian cultural space: The traditional Micronesian religions emphasized ancestor worship and embraced spirits and ghosts. After death, one's spirit would either pass on to an afterworld or stay on
4992-404: The men were expected to defend and protect their family. They were very protective of their clan, lineage identity and property. Backing down from a fight is not seen as manly. The Kiribati people, also known as I-Kiribati , Tungaru , or Gilbertese , are the indigenous people of Kiribati . They speak the Gilbertese language . They numbered 103,000 as of 2008. The Kosraeans or Kusaieans are
5070-422: The navigators who voyaged between the islands of Micronesia in the open Pacific Ocean . These voyagers used wayfinding techniques such as the navigation by the stars, and observations of birds, ocean swells, and wind patterns, and relied on a large body of knowledge from oral tradition. Weriyeng is one of the last two schools of traditional navigation found in the central Caroline Islands in Micronesia,
5148-439: The northern Pacific accordingly: northeast of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea ; south of Guam and the Marianas ; west of Nauru and the Marshall Islands ; east of Palau and the Philippines ; about 2,900 km (1,800 mi) north of eastern Australia , 3,400 km (2,100 mi) southeast of Japan; and some 4,000 km (2,485 mi) southwest of Honolulu of the Hawaiian Islands . The country's total land area
5226-415: The other being Fanur . Micronesian culture is very diverse across island atolls and influenced by the surrounding cultures. In the east one finds a more Polynesian culture with social classes (nobility, commoners and slaves) and in the west a more Melanesian-Indonesian influenced culture led by tribal chiefs without nobility, with the Marianas being an exception. Nonetheless, the Micronesians form
5304-424: The palm Nypa fruticans , atoll forests, forests in rocky areas and beaches. There are about 1230 species of ferns and flowering plants, of which 782 are native, including 145 native fern species. On Pohnpei Island, there are about 750 plant species, of which 110 are endemic. Another 457 species have been introduced. The Federated States of Micronesia has a tropical rainforest climate ( Köppen : Af ). The weather
5382-423: The remoteness of the location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development. Financial assistance from the U.S. is the primary source of revenue, with the U.S. pledged to spend $ 1.3 billion in the islands in 1986–2001; when the Compact was amended in 2004, the United States committed to providing $ 110 million in development aid through 2023. The CIA World Factbook lists high dependence on U.S. aid as one of
5460-608: The site is currently listed as In Danger due to natural causes. The government is working on the conservation of the site. Traditional dances on the main islands includes "stick dancing" on Pohnpei , Chuuk and Yap , standing dances on Chuuk and sitting dances on Yap and Chuuk . The Yapese are particularly known for their skills in dancing. The Yapese stick dance is performed by men, women and children together, while standing dances are performed either by women or men and boys, but never both together. The men participate in various dancing competitions, which are segregated by caste ;
5538-433: The social organization, family structures, the economy, shared food and common work. The Micronesian family is formed from four equally important components, the household, the nuclear family, the extended family, and a lineage. The family and the community would cooperate with fishing, farming, raising children and passing knowledge to the next generations. Individuals and families would conform their behavior to cooperate with
5616-466: The western side of the island, while more Catholics live on the eastern side. Missionaries of many religious traditions are present and operate freely. The Constitution provides for freedom of religion , and the Government generally respects this right in practice. The US government received no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice in 2007. Life expectancy
5694-567: Was 66 for men and 69 for women in 2018. Pingelap in Pohnpei State is notable for the prevalence of an extreme form of color blindness called Achromatopsia , and known locally as maskun . Approximately 5% of the atoll's 3000 inhabitants are afflicted. Baseball is very popular in the FSM. The sport of association football in the Federated States of Micronesia is run by the Federated States of Micronesia Football Association . They control
5772-598: Was administered by the United States under United Nations auspices in 1947 as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands pursuant to Security Council Resolution 21 . On May 10, 1979, four of the Trust Territory districts ratified a new constitution to become the Federated States of Micronesia. Palau , the Marshall Islands , and the Northern Mariana Islands chose not to participate. The FSM signed
5850-530: Was brought by an Oceanic-speaking source in Melanesia, perhaps the Admiralty Islands . A 2022 genetic study has shown that the various peoples inhabiting Micronesia have diverse genetic origins and originate from distinct streams of migration. Micronesia was settled by three separate streams of First Remote Oceanian lineage, which corresponds to East Asian ancestry and clusters closely to modern day peoples of
5928-628: Was captured by Japan . Following the war, the League of Nations awarded a mandate for Japan to administer the islands as part of the South Seas Mandate . During World War II , a significant portion of the Japanese fleet was based in Truk Lagoon . In February 1944, Operation Hailstone , one of the most important naval battles of the war, took place at Truk, in which many Japanese support vessels and aircraft were destroyed. Following World War II, it
6006-411: Was caused by spirits. Shamans, mediums, diviners and sorcerers could be consulted to deal with the spirit world. Taboos would often be placed on food and sexual activities before a person would engage in an important pursuit. Violating this taboo would cause a spirit to send sickness or death to the offender or even the entire community. Micronesian mythology comprises the traditional belief systems of
6084-425: Was colonized by Spain for over 300 years, many words derive from the Spanish language . The traditional Chamorro number system was replaced by Spanish numbers. The Chuukese people are an ethnic group of Chuuk State . They constitute 48% of the population of the Federated States of Micronesia . Their language is Chuukese . The home atoll of Chuuk is also known by the former name "Truk". In Chuukese culture,
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