Western Pacific Ocean.

This region was administered by the USA on behalf of the United Nations until 1990. It includes the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Republic of Palau. The Northern Marianas have had US Commonwealth status since 1986. Under the terms of the Compacts of Free Association between the USA and the other former territories, each is a sovereign self-governing state pursuing its foreign policy along agreed guidelines, with the USA retaining responsibility for defence in exchange for economic aid. The Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands became members of the UN in 1991 and Palau became a member in 1994. See individual entries for more information.

See individual entries.

7,800,000 sq km (3,000,000 sq miles) of which 1,846 sq km (721 sq miles) is land.

See individual entries.

Each archipelago is composed of hundreds of island groups, within which there are many islands varying widely in topography. A more detailed description is given under the individual section for each country. There are three distinct population groups: Malayans who passed through Indonesia and The Philippines; Melanesians coming from the islands of the southwest Pacific; and Polynesians who inhabited the South Pacific.

See individual country sections for further details.

English, Japanese and nine local languages.

Roman Catholic and Protestant with Mormon and Baha’i minorities.

110/120 volts AC, 60Hz. Plugs are the US flat two-pin type.

The Western understanding of private property is alien to many parts of Micronesia and personal possessions should be well looked after, though not necessarily under lock and key; outside main tourist areas, where normal precautions apply, it is usually sufficient just to keep items out of sight. All land, however, does have an owner and before using it, protocol in many areas demands that permission is sought; in places this includes use of footpaths as there is not necessarily immediate right of way. A clearly expressed desire to be courteous will usually see the visitor through; see individual sections for further details.