Federated States of Micronesia (often abbreviated to Micronesia or FSM) is made up of around 600 islands, varying from high mountainous volcanic islands to low coral atolls. They form part of the Caroline Islands in the wider region of Micronesia. The islands of the Federated States of Micronesia are grouped into four states: Kosrae, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Yap. Scattered across the western Pacific, they cover an area of more than 2.6 million square kilometres (1 million sq miles). Most people make a living from fishing and farming.

Nan Madol

The ancestors of the Micronesians settled the islands over 4000 ago. Nan Madol, an ancient city that was constructed in a lagoon on Pohnpei between AD 1200 and 1500, was the capital of the Saudeleur Dynasty. They ruled the island, with a population estimated at around 25,000, until 1628, when the civilization collapsed.

Surrounded by stone walls enclosing an area of about 1.5 km long by 0.5 km wide, Nan Madol consisted of a maze of artificial islands, built out of stone and coral, on which stone palaces, temples, tombs and houses once stood. The islands were linked by a network of canals. Now in ruins, Nan Madol is one of today's great archaeological puzzles. It is sometimes called "Atlantis", the "Eighth Wonder of the World", or the "Venice of the Pacific". It was even suggested (mistakenly) the city was built by Greek sailors in around 300 BC.

Later history

Claimed by the Spanish in the 16th century, the islands of what is now FSM passed into German and then Japanese hands. Chuuk Atoll (once known as "Truck or Truk Atoll") was Japan's main naval base in the South Pacific Ocean during World War II and was the site of a major US attack during Operation Hailstone in February 1944. After World War II, the FSM became part of a United Nations Trust Territory under US administration, becoming fully independent in 1986.

Facts about the Federated States of Micronesia

Population 104,468

Area 702 sq km (271 sq miles)

Highest point Mount Nanlaud (on Pohnpei) 782 m (2566 ft)

Capital Palikir (on Pohnpei) pop. 7000

Largest town Weno (on Chuuk) pop. 13,856

Languages English, Micronesian languages including Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, Mortlockese, Yapese and others

Religions Christian (Roman Catholic) 52.6%, Christian (Protestant) 41.7%, other and none 5.7%

Ethnicity Chuukese 49%, Pohnpeian 24%, Kosraean 6%, Yapese 5%, Outer Yapese 4.5%, other 11.5% other

Currency US dollar (USD)