Country information

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Area: 702 sq km (435 sq mi) in four major island groups/states totaling 607 islands: - Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk), Yap and Kosrae (Kosaie), area comparative to about 4 times the size of Washington, DC)
Population: 107,862 (July 2007)
Capital City: Palikir
People: Micronesian and Polynesian
Languages: English, Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi.
Climate: Tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage during typhoon season from June to December.
Religions: Roman Catholic (50%), Protestant (47%)
Currency: US dollar (USD)
Major Political Parties: No formal parties
Government: Constitutional confederation in free association with the USA. The first Compact of Free Association entered into force on 3 November 1986, and an amended Compact entered into force on 1 May 2004. The internal workings of FSM are governed by the 1979 Constitution, which guarantees fundamental human rights and establishes a separation of governmental powers. The unicameral Congress has 14 members elected by popular vote. Four Senators, one from each State, serve four-year terms. The remaining ten Senators represent single-member districts based on population, and serve two-year terms. The President and Vice President are elected by Congress from among the four state-based Senators to serve four-year terms in the executive Branch. Their congressional seats are then filled by special elections. Elections are due to be held in 2007. An appointed cabinet supports the President and Vice President.
Chief of State and Head of Government:President H.E. Mr. Immanuel (Manny) Mori (May 2007)
Vice President:HE Mr Alik L Alik. (May 2007)
Foreign Minister: Hon Mr Lorin Robert
Finance Minister: Hon Mr Finley S Perman
Membership of international groups/ organisations:Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), Asian Development Bank (AsDB), Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Group of 77 at the United Nations (G-77), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (Intelsat), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Co-operation Agreement (SPARTECA), Pacific Community (SPC), South Pacific Forum (SPF), United Nations (UN), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), World Health Organisation (WHO), World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

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