Micronesia Information, Overview and Profile

Micronesia

Micronesia: Archipelago of 600 Islands in the West Pacific

The Micronesian and Polynesian people first inhabited the archipelago of Micronesia and in the beginning of 17th century the Spanish established their settlements in Micronesia and colonialised it later on. In 1898 Germany purchased Micronesia from Spain and in 1914 Japanese occupied this island nation. After World War II in 1947 the United Nations Security Council created the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. These trust territories include Northern Mariana, Caroline, and Marshall Islands and entrusted America to govern this Trust Territory. In 1979 The Micronesian Federation (FMA) became self-governing and in 1983, the FMA accepted a Compact of Free Association with the U.S.

Micronesia Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures

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Geographical Information on Micronesia:
Micronesia is located in the wet Pacific Ocean and consists of 600 hundreds small islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Philippines situated to the northwest, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Melanesia to the west and south, and Polynesia to the east.
Micronesia enjoys a tropical climate having warm temperatures throughout the year. Rainfall is heaviest during the summer months although there is considerable variation in rainfall on different islands.

Culture, Cuisine and Tradition of Micronesia:
Micronesia is largely inhabited by ethnic Micronesians along with a small minority of Polynesians living on Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi atolls of Pohnpei State. The influence of European and Japanese contacts is also seen in the culture of Micronesia. The four States exhibits its own distinct culture and tradition, but also share common cultural and economic bonds. Eight major indigenous languages are spoken in the Micronesia islands. Each ethnic group maintains their own strong traditions, folklore and legends.

The cuisine of Micronesia has unique combination of western and eastern preparations style such as Spanish, Malay and Chinese. Rice is the staple diet and served with most of the meals. Micronesian food is based on fish and seafood, such as fresh shellfish, crabs, and shrimps. Seafood is very tasty when it is left uncooked in a vinaigrette matrix, grilled, and even stuffed with onions wrapped in banana leaves. Coconut garnish and milk is used extensively to create mouth-watering desserts like bibingka or pudding made of rice, coconut milk Sugar and eggs, and macapuno or thick dessert jam.

Economy of Micronesia:
The main economic activities of Micronesia are agriculture and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits especially high-grade phosphate that is yet to be explored. Micronesia has huge tourism potential but due to remote location it remain a hidden tourist paradise. The fishing industry is important and foreign commercial fishing fleets fees remain the major contributor to Micronesia national income. The exports of marine products especially Tuna fish fetch good forex to Micronesia economy.

Tourist Attraction of Micronesia:
The islands of Micronesia have some of the world’s finest diving attractions apart from World War II relics that includes sunken Japanese ships in the Truk lagoon and remains of an ancient culture on Yap Island including stone platforms and large circular stones which was used as money.

Wiya Bird Cave: Wiya Bird Cave is a natural cave and is an abode of thousands swiftlet birds of the island. Wiya Bird Cave is the only cave that houses these types of birds in the world.

Stone Money: is one of the popular Micronesia attractions and is situated in Yap Island.

Major Sight-seeing Places in Micronesia include:

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