Pacific Resources for Education and Learning

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Federated States of Micronesia

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The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) consists of four states: Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. These entities were formerly part of the United Nations Trust Territory, but the FSM is now a semi-independent nation under a Compact of Free Association with the U.S. and receives financial benefits in return for providing exclusive free passage to U.S. military vessels through FSM waters.

Chuuk State is comprised of the volcanic islands in the Chuuk Lagoon and some 24 outer-island atolls—in all, close to 290 islands. Chuuk, the most populous of the FSM states with 53,381 people (est. 2006) and a land area of 49 square miles, is a world famous spot for divers, with a sunken WWII Japanese fleet to explore. Chuuk has 98 public schools with an enrollment of approximately 13,909 students.

Kosrae State, a volcanic island of 43 square miles with 8,048 people (est. 2006), has a wet tropical climate and many rivers and waterfalls. It is almost exclusively rural with a subsistence economy. Kosrae has seven public schools with an enrollment of 2,546 students.

Pohnpei State consists of six inhabited atolls and Pohnpei Island, which makes up most of its 133 square miles. With 34,889 people (est. 2006), Pohnpei State is the national capital of the FSM and the site of the College of Micronesia. Agriculture is important to the economy of this beautiful and fertile state. Pohnpei has 34 public schools with an enrollment of 10,990 students.

Yap State consists of a group of four volcanic islands and 19 inhabited outer islands and atolls, with a total land area of 46 square miles. Two-thirds of its 11,647 people (est. 2006) live on Yap Island. One of the most traditional island groups of the Pacific, Yap has four languages: Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, and Satawalese. Yap has 33 public schools with an enrollment of about 2,800 students.

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