Micronesia, in the western Pacific, consists of some 600 islands grouped into four states: Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk) and Yap.
President: Jorge Carlos Fonseca
Population
106,487
523,568
Life Expectancy
71.800 years
71.000 years
Capital City
Praia
Largest city
Weno (population: 17,624)
Praia (population: 113,364)
Human Development Index
NA
0.705
GDP per capita
$4,000 US
Literacy Rate
89%
76.6%
Corruption Perception Index
NA
5.1
Percentage of Women in Parliament
NA
18.1%
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
21.000%
Death Penalty
NA
Abolished
Political System
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
republic
Independence date
5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Religions
Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3%
Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)
Languages
English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)
Exports
fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides
External Debt
$657,700,000 US
Exchange Rate
Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 73.84 (2008 est.), 81.235 (2007), 87.946 (2006), 88.67 (2005), 88.808 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
Area
702 km sq
4,033 km sq
Coastline
6,112 km
965 km
Climate
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic
