edit Micronesia Travel Guide

• Diving for World War II wrecks in Chuuk
• The ruins of Nan Midol in Pohnpei
• The  waterfalls of Pohnpei
  

Visa Requirements

Customs and Immigration

By plane

The major airline that travels to Micronesia is Continental Airlines, which operates a three-weekly "island hopper" flight (CO956 eastbound, CO957 westbound) traveling Honolulu—Majuro—Kwajalein—Kosrae—Pohnpei—Chuuk—Guam and vice versa. The flight is fourteen and a half hours, leaving in the early morning and terminating in the evening, with a stop of about one hour on each island. There are also nonstop flights from various islands to both Honolulu and Guam.

Honolulu is the most direct gateway into the islands from North America. Guam is the most direct gateway from most points in Asia and Australia, although it is also possible to fly into the islands from Manila via Palau.

By boat

The major international ports are; Chuuk,Pohnpei and Yap. There are inter-island trading ships based in these major ports which visits the outlying islands.  

In 1525 Portuguese navigators in search of the Spice Islands (Indonesia) came upon Yap and Ulithi. Spanish expeditions later explored the rest of the Caroline Islands. The Spanish Empire claimed sovereignty over the Carolines until 1899 when it sold all of its Pacific island territories to Germany except Guam which became a U.S. territory. The German administration of the Carolines encouraged development of trade and production of copra. In 1914 German administration ended when Japanese naval squadrons took over possession of the Carolines Marshalls and Marianas. Japan began its formal administration under a League of Nations mandate in 1920. Through extensive settlement the Japanese population in Micronesia exceeded 100 000 (as compared to an indigenous population of about 40 000 at the time).

U.S. Control 

Following U.S. occupation of the islands in World War II the United Nations in 1947 created the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) with the U.S. as administering authority. The TTPI consisted of Kosrae Ponape (now Pohnpei) Truk (now Chuuk) and Yap (which now are the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia) Palau the Marshall Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Independence 

On November 3 1986 the Compact went into effect and the FSM became a sovereign nation in free association with the United States. Under the Compact the United States has full authority and responsibility for the defense of the FSM. This security relationship can be changed or terminated by mutual agreement. The Compact provides U.S. grant funds and federal program assistance to the FSM. The basic relationship of free association continues indefinitely but certain economic and defense provisions of the Compact are subject to re-negotiation. 

In 1991 the FSM became a member of the United Nations and has continued to develop diplomatic and econmic realations with its pacific island state neighbors.

The constitution separates the executive legislative and judicial branches. It provides for a unicameral legislature of 14 senators: ten elected every two years from districts apportioned according to population and one elected at large from each state every four years. Two of the at-large senators are elected President and Vice-President by congress every four years. Their congressional seats are then filled by special elections.

The FSM judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court which is divided into trial and appellate divisions. The President appoints judges with the advice and consent of the congress. The four state governments have considerable power. Each state government has its own executive legislature and court systems. Governors and legislators are popularly elected. Citizens of the FSM live with a democratic political system and a hierarchical traditional culture. In each of the states traditional leaders hold considerable sway over local governmental activity. There have been a number of local and national elections since the inception of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Economy

Overall democracy has functioned well in the FSM. ECONOMY The economy is dependent on government spending primarily supported by funds from the United States. Under the Compact of Free Association the U.S. is committed to provide to the FSM over $1 billion in funds and services from 1986 to 2001. In the FSM government (national and state) employs over half of the country's workers.

Other economic activity consists of mainly subsistence-level farming and fishing. Copra and fish account for the major portion of FSM exports. The FSM also sells fishing rights to foreign companies including firms from Taiwan Japan the People's Republic of China and the U.S. The FSM has made the development of agriculture fisheries and tourism its top priorities. 

Banking

Currency

Credit Cards

Tax

Tipping

Shopping

Costs

Micronesia is composed of four major island groups totaling 607 islands that lie just north of the equator about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia, to the north of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands and to the south of the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana IslandsGuam.

Tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage; Natural hazards : typhoons (June to December).

Holidays and Celebrations

• Constitution Day 10 May (1979)

Language

English is the official and common language, although it has a pidgeon dialect commonly found on the islands.  Local indiginous languages can also be heard occasion: Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

Types of Restaurants

Types of Food

Because of the abundance of great fishing within the region, fish is often the staple diet in Micronesian food.  One of the more enjoyable things about Micronesian food is that you can dine like a king for relatively cheap.  Exotic tropical fish, as well as much shell fish are easily found and therefore are included on many of the meals.

Coconut is of obivous pleanty on the islands as well, and therefore you are likely to encounter it in all sorts of dishes, from coconut crab to coconut cookies.

On chuuk breadfuit is the local specialty.  In Pohnpei, huge sweet potatoes are grown and are often found as a yummy side dish.

Drinks

Lime Trees are found within the "bush" of the islands and make for a refreshing glass of limeaide during the many warm days.

In Pohnpei Sakau (or kava, as its called in Polynesia), is enjoyed with much fervor.   Sakau is a mildy hallicunigenic drink made from squeezing the roots of a local shrub through hibiscus bark.  It is certainly an aquired taste, with many a first time visitor claiming it tastes like drinking dirty dish water.  Sakau holds much cultural significance though, as it was used in ancient Micronesia to calm disputes.  Today you'll find many locals still enjoying its "anti-anxiety" effects in one of the many sakau bars found throughout Pohnpei. 

One thing to note is that alcohol of any kind is prohibited on Chuuk, in an effort to curb local crime.

Tipping

In the Micronesian culture, visitors are considered guests and therefore tipping is not necessarily required or expected.  On the otherhand, the Micronesian economy is not particularly strong compared to a western country, and therefore a tip for good service would go a long way and would be appreciated.

Phones

Internet

Crime

Emergency

Police

Fire Department

Hospitals

Gays and lesbians

Illicit drugs and prostitution

Smoking

By plane

By Taxi

Taxi service is available throughout the islands and are the most inexpensive and feasible way to get around.

By car

By bus

Event hough there are no bus scheduled service on the island, some buses are available to hire or charter. Also, on Yap there is a school bus that runs twice daily from Colonia to the villages.

By thumb 

By Boat