Micronesia · OceaniaMicronesia
Discover Micronesia - a federated Pacific nation of 607 islands stretching across the western Pacific, home to mysterious Nan Madol ruins and the world's greatest wreck diving.
Where Is Micronesia?
Micronesia is a country in Oceania. Its capital is Palikir.
- Capital Palikir
- Population 114K
- Area 702 km²
The Federated States of Micronesia is a nation of astonishing diversity spread across 607 islands in the western Pacific. Four distinct states - Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae - each have their own language, culture, and character, united under a federal system that is still one of the youngest in the world. Yap is famous for its giant stone money discs, some weighing several tons, which are still used in ceremonial transactions. Chuuk Lagoon holds the world's largest underwater museum - an entire Japanese naval fleet sunk during World War II, now draped in coral.
Pohnpei is home to Nan Madol, one of the most mysterious archaeological sites on Earth - a city of 92 artificial islands built on a coral reef, sometimes called the Venice of the Pacific. Nobody is entirely sure how the basalt columns, some weighing 50 tons, were transported and stacked. And Kosrae, the quietest state, is a lush volcanic island surrounded by pristine reef. Life across Micronesia still runs deep with traditional customs - sakau ceremonies, navigational knowledge passed through generations, and a communal way of life that places family and clan at the center of everything.
At a glance
Largest cities in Micronesia
Palikir
Weno
Kolonia
Famous people from Micronesia
Tosiwo Nakayama
PoliticsFirst President of the Federated States of Micronesia who guided the nation through independence and early statehood
John Osborne
PoliticsInfluential Micronesian leader during the Trust Territory period who helped negotiate the Compact of Free Association with the US
Traditional cuisine of Micronesia
- Sakau
- Pohnpei's traditional drink made from pounding the kava-like pepper plant root, central to all ceremonial occasions
- Breadfruit
- The dietary foundation of Micronesia - roasted, boiled, pounded into a paste, or fermented in underground pits for preservation
- Taro
- Purple-fleshed root crop grown in swamp patches across the islands, boiled or pounded into a starchy staple
- Fresh Sashimi
- Yellowfin tuna sliced raw and served with soy sauce, a reflection of Japanese culinary influence across Micronesia
Nature and landmarks in Micronesia
- Nan MadolLandmark
- Mysterious ruined city of 92 artificial basalt islands off Pohnpei, a UNESCO site sometimes called the Venice of the Pacific
- Chuuk LagoonCoast
- World's greatest wreck diving site, an entire sunken Japanese WWII fleet resting on the lagoon floor draped in coral and marine life
- Kepirohi WaterfallRiver
- Stunning jungle waterfall on Pohnpei cascading into a natural swimming pool, surrounded by dense tropical forest
- KosraeIsland
- The Sleeping Lady island, a pristine volcanic gem with untouched mangrove forests and some of the Pacific's healthiest reef systems
Sports in Micronesia
- Baseball
- The most popular sport in Micronesia, inherited from the Japanese colonial era and the later American administration
- Basketball
- Widely played across all four states, with inter-island competitions being major community events
Did you know?
Yap's giant stone money, called rai, can be up to 4 meters across and several tons heavy - ownership is tracked communally, and the stones rarely move
Nan Madol is built on a coral reef and consists of 92 artificial islands connected by canals, yet nobody knows exactly how it was constructed
Chuuk Lagoon contains over 60 Japanese warships and 275 aircraft sunk in Operation Hailstone in 1944, now the world's top wreck diving destination
Micronesia's internet domain .fm is popular with radio stations and music platforms worldwide because of its association with FM radio
The four states of Micronesia each have their own distinct language, and many islanders speak three or four languages fluently
Micronesia's exclusive economic zone covers nearly 3 million square kilometers of ocean, making tuna fishing rights a major national resource
Read more about Micronesia
Can you find Micronesia on a map?
Drop a pin where you think it is and see how close you got. A few rounds and you will place Micronesia and its neighbours without a second thought.
