In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.
		
			
					Population
					    107,154 (July 2010 est.)
					    Country comparison to the world:191
					    
					Nationality
					   Noun:Micronesian(s)
					   Adjective:Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
					Ethnic groups
 					    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% (2000 census)
					Religions
					    Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3%
					Languages
					    English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
				 
			
					Country Name
					    Conventional long form:Federated States of Micronesia
						 Conventional short form:none
						 Local long form: Federated States of Micronesia
						 Local short form:none
						 Former:Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts
						 abbreviation: FSM
					Government Type
   					    constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004
					Capital
					    Name:Palikir
						 Geographic coordinates:6 55 N, 158 09 E
						 Time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
					Administrative divisions
					    4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
					Independence
					    3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
					National Holiday
					    Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
					Constitution
					    10 May 1979
					Legal system
					    based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
					Suffrage
					    18 years of age; universal
					Executive branch
  					    Chief of state:President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
						 Head of government:President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007)
						 Cabinet:Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments
							(For more information visit the World Leaders website)
						 Elections:president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed
						 Election results:Emanuel MORI elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA; Alik L. ALIK elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA
					Legislative branch
					    unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote)
						 
						 Elections:last held on 3 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2011)
						 Election results:percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14
					Judicial branch
					    Supreme Court
					Political Parties and Leaders
					    no formal parties
					Political pressure groups and leaders
					    NA
 					International organization participation
					    ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
					Diplomatic representation in the US
					    Chief of mission:Ambassador Yosiwo GEORGE
						 Chancery:1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
						 Telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383
						 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391
						 Consulate(s) general:Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)
					Diplomatic representation from the US
					    Chief of mission:Ambassador Miriam K. HUGHES
						 Embassy:101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia
						 Mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941
						 Telephone: [691] 320-2187
						 FAX: [691] 320-2186
					Flag description
					    light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern