The Federated States of Micronesia is comprised of 607 volcanic islands in the Western Pacific. From east to west, the islands span over 1,700 miles and cover more than a million square miles of the Pacific. Most islands are quite small, and the total land area is actually only 270.8 square miles. Micronesia is divided into four states--Chuuk, Yap, Pohnpei and Kosrae. Features include mountain peaks, valleys, grassy plains, sandy beaches, rich farmland, lagoons, large cities and rural villages with a total population of just over 100,000 people. The climate is humid, hot and wet year-round.
The Federated States of Micronesia enjoys a year-round temperature of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the best time to visit Micronesia is from January through May in order to avoid the dangerous typhoon season, which lasts from June to December.
Tourists can enjoy outdoor activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, bird watching and swimming in lagoons. The island of Pohnpei features Nan Madol, a prehistoric collection of tombs, the eel aquarium Pwudoi Sanctuary, the Spanish Wall and the Catholic Bell Tower. Tourists can hike up the Sokehs Mountain, see the Liduduhniap Twin Waterfalls and visit isolated villages such as Sapwuafik by boat.
Divers have plenty of wrecks from which to choose in Micronesia. Truk Lagoon was a major docking area for the Japanese Navy in World War II when the United States bombed it in 1944, sinking more than 40 ships and planes. Experienced divers can dive into the wrecks as long as they do not disturb remaining artifacts. Many of them are still laced with live explosives and dangerous acids.
According to the U.S. State Department, the Federated States of Micronesia attracts up to 22,000 visitors per year, most of them from Asia. Tourism growth is currently hindered by poor infrastructure, lack of convenient air travel and tourism accommodations. As of June 2010, the Asian Development Bank considers tourism as one of Micronesia's "highest potential growth industries."
