World Factbook
Micronesia
Federated States of Micronesia
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: light blue with four five-pointed white stars centered and arranged in a diamond pattern meaning: blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, and the stars for the four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap
Capital
name
Palikir
note
note: Palikir became the new capital of the country in 1989, three years after independence; Kolonia, the former capital, remains the site for many foreign embassies; it also serves as the Pohnpei state capital
time zone note
Micronesia has two time zones
time difference
UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
6 55 N, 158 09 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of FSM
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
note
note: at least every ten years, voters are asked as part of a general or special election whether to hold a constitution convention; a majority of affirmative votes is required to proceed
history
drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979
amendment process
proposed by Congress, by a constitutional convention, or by public petition; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote in at least three fourths of the states
Country name
former
New Philippines; Caroline Islands; Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts
etymology
the name is a 19th-century construct of two Greek words, mikros (small) and nesoi (islands), and refers to its thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean
abbreviation
FSM
local long form
Federated States of Micronesia
local short form
none
conventional long form
Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form
none
Independence
3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
Legal system
mixed system of common and customary law
Government type
federal republic in free association with the US
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Federated States of Micronesia Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and not more than 5 associate justices and organized into appellate and criminal divisions)
subordinate courts
the highest state-level courts are: Chuuk Supreme Court; Korsae State Court; Pohnpei State Court; Yap State Court
judge selection and term of office
justices appointed by the FSM president with the approval of two-thirds of Congress; justices appointed for life
Executive branch
note
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet
Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments
chief of state
President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023)
head of government
President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023)
most recent election date
12 May 2023
election/appointment process
president and vice president indirectly elected by Congress from among the 4 'at large' senators for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term)
expected date of next election
2027
National holiday
Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
National color(s)
light blue, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Nan Madol: Ceremonial Center of Eastern Micronesia
Political parties
no formal parties
Legislative branch
term in office
2 years
number of seats
14 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Congress
scope of elections
partial renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
3/4/2025
expected date of next election
March 2027
percentage of women in chamber
21.4%
National anthem(s)
title
"Patriots of Micronesia"
history
adopted 1991
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
four five-pointed white stars on a light blue field, hibiscus flower
Administrative divisions
4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 223-4391
chancery
1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 223-4383
chief of mission
Ambassador Jackson T. SORAM (since 27 February 2024)
consulate(s) general
Honolulu, Portland (OR), Tamuning (Guam)
email address and website
dcmission@fsmembassy.fm https://fsmembassy.fm/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[691] 320-2186
embassy
1286 US Embassy Place, Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941
telephone
[691] 320-2187
mailing address
4120 Kolonia Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-4120
chief of mission
Ambassador Jennifer L. JOHNSON (since 13 September 2023)
email address and website
koloniaacs@state.gov https://fm.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt