Independent from the United States since 1986, the Federated States of Micronesia consists of 607 islands widely scattered across 1,800 miles. The islands are divided into four states, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap and Kosrae, and there is a weak central government.
Guam is a U.S. territory of one island measuring 544 square kilometers. It is home to major U.S. military bases, and the U.S. military supports much of Guam's economy.
Five islands and 29 atolls make up the Marshall Islands, although nearly half of the inhabitants live in the capital city, Majuro. The Marshall Islands government employs almost 50 percent of the workforce, and the country receives a large amount of aid money from the United States. In return, the United States has use of the Kwajalein Atoll.
Palau became an independent republic in 1994, and this chain of 250 islets and eight larger islands has a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of $8,412, which is better than most other Micronesian islands. It has a population of less than 20,000 people, and most people work in the service sector.
The Northern Mariana Islands are a commonwealth politically unified with the United States. They have a column of 14 islands just north of Guam. Tourism and garment production are two of the major sources of revenue in the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Republic of Nauru is a single island that is 21 square kilometers and has a population of nearly 10,000 people. The major economy of Nauru used to be phosphate mining, but the phosphate reserves on the island seem to be depleted, leaving the economy in need of a new direction.
Made up of one island and 32 atolls, Kiribati has some of the easternmost islands in Micronesia. In 1995, they moved the International Date Line to the west of their last island so all of the nation would be on the same day. The per capita GDP is just around $700, one of the lowest in the world, and most people take part in subsistence fishing and farming.
