Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor-general. Prime minister : Freundel Stuart
Micronesia, in the western Pacific, consists of some 600 islands grouped into four states: Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk) and Yap.
Population
287,733
106,487
Life Expectancy
74.520 years
71.800 years
Capital City
Bridgetown
Largest city
Bridgetown (population: 98,511)
Weno (population: 17,624)
Human Development Index
0.889
NA
GDP per capita
$23,700 US
Literacy Rate
99.7%
89%
Corruption Perception Index
7
NA
Percentage of Women in Parliament
13.7%
NA
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
12.000%
Death Penalty
Legal
NA
Political System
parliamentary democracy
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004
Independence date
30 November 1966 (from UK)
Religions
Protestant 63.4% (Anglican 28.3%, Pentecostal 18.7%, Methodist 5.1%, other 11.3%), Roman Catholic 4.2%, other Christian 7%, other 4.8%, none or unspecified 20.6% (2008 est.)
Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3%
Languages
English
English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Exports
manufactures, sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components
External Debt
$668,000,000 $
Exchange Rate
Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004), 2 (2003)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.800%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Area
430 km sq
702 km sq
Coastline
97 km
6,112 km
Climate
tropical; rainy season (June to October)
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
