<text><span class="style42"></span><span class="style12">MICRONESIA</span><span class="style4"></span><span class="style14"></span><span class="style42">Official name:</span><span class="style13"> The Federated States of Micronesia</span><span class="style42">Member of: </span><span class="style13">UN</span><span class="style42">Area: </span><span class="style13">702 km2 (271 sq mi)</span><span class="style42">Population: </span><span class="style13">103000 (1993 est)</span><span class="style42">Capital: </span><span class="style13">Palikir (on Pohnpei) 2000 (1990 est)</span><span class="style42">Other major town:</span><span class="style13"> Wenn (formerly Moen) 10400 (1990 est)</span><span class="style42">Languages: </span><span class="style13">English, Trukese, Ponapean, Yapese, Kosraean</span><span class="style42">Religions: </span><span class="style13">various Protestant Churches (majority), Roman Catholic (minority)</span><span class="style42">GOVERNMENT</span><span class="style13">The President (who serves for four years) and the 14-member National Congress are elected by universal adult suffrage. Congress comprises one senator elected from each of the four states for four years, and ten senators elected by constituencies for two years.</span><span class="style42">GEOGRAPHY</span><span class="style13">The Micronesian islands comprise over 600 islands in two main groups. The majority of the islands are low coral atolls, but Kosrae and Pohnpei are mountainous. </span><span class="style42">Climate: </span><span class="style13">The climate is tropical with heavy rainfall.</span><span class="style42">ECONOMY</span><span class="style13">Apart from phosphate, the islands have practically no resources and depend upon subsistence agriculture, fishing and US grants. </span><span class="style42">Currency: </span><span class="style13">Micronesia uses US currency.</span><span class="style42">HISTORY</span><span class="style13">The islands were first settled c. 3000 bc. The first European visitors were Spanish navigators who named the islands the Carolines. The islands were under Spanish (1874ΓÇô99), German (1899ΓÇô1914), and Japanese (1914ΓÇô45) administration before becoming part of the US Pacific Trust Territory. In 1986, US administration was terminated, although the USA retains responsibility for the islandsΓÇÖ defense. The Federated StatesΓÇÖ independence was recognized when the UN terminated the trusteeship in 1990.</span></text>