The Federated States of Micronesia is a Pacific island federation of four states across 600 islands, with the ruined stone city of Nan Madol, sometimes called the 'Venice of the Pacific'.
Geography & landscape
Micronesia (Federated States of) sits in Micronesia, in the northern hemisphere of Oceania. With an area of approximately 702 km², it is a compact territory, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Palikir, lies near coordinates 6.92°, 158.18°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Oceania, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Micronesia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Micronesia (Federated States of).
People & society
The population of Micronesia (Federated States of) is around 115K. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is English, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Micronesia (Federated States of) is structured as a federal presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Palikir, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Micronesia (Federated States of) is the US Dollar (USD). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Palikir and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Micronesia (Federated States of) shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Micronesia (Federated States of) through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Palikir, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +691, and clocks are set to the Various (UTC+10 to UTC+11) time zone. ISO standards identify Micronesia (Federated States of) as FM (alpha-2) and FSM (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇫🇲, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Palikir | — |
| Continent | Oceania | — |
| Sub-region | Micronesia | — |
| Population | 115K | people |
| Area | 702 | km² |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) | — |
| Calling code | +691 | international dialling |
| Time zone | Various (UTC+10 to UTC+11) | standard time |
| Government type | Federal presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | FM | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | FSM | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 6.92 | degrees |
| Longitude | 158.18 | degrees |
Did you know?
Nan Madol on Pohnpei is a 13th-century stone city built on artificial islets — sometimes described as the 'Venice of the Pacific'.
