Micronesia is a sub-region of Oceania, comprising thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It has a shared cultural history with two other island regions, Polynesia to the east and Melanesia to the south. There are four main archipelagos along with numerous outlying islands. Micronesia is divided politically into five sovereign states and three U.S. territories.
Population (2014 est) – 105,681
Area – 436 mi
Capital – Palikir
Ethnic Background
- Chuukese/Mortlockese – 49.3%
- Pohnpeian – 29.8%
- Kosraean – 6.3%
- Yapese – 5.7%
- Yap outer islanders – 5.1%
- Polynesian – 1.6%
- Asian – 1.4%
- Other – 0.8%
Exports – fish, garments, bananas, black pepper, sakau (kava), betel nuts
Imports – food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages
Life Expectancy (2014 est) – M 70 years, F 74 years
Infant Mortality (2014 est) – 21.93 deaths/1,000 live births
Adult Illiteracy Rate – 11%