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
Religions
Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3%
Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
Languages
English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language
Exports
External Debt
Exchange Rate
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
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, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Area
702 km sq
245,857 km sq
Coastline
6,112 km
320 km
Climate
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
