Destinations / Chuuk

In July 1978, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap voted to share a constitution, and in May 1979 they became the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Micronesia agreed to let the US control its relations with other countries and maintain its exclusive military access under a 15-year compact signed in 1982. In turn, the US guaranteed annual funding. The compact was officially implemented in 1986 and in 1991 the FSM was admitted to the United Nations.

LOCATION :

The Federated States of Micronesia are made up of four island groups - Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae - located in the eastern half of the Pacific Ocean. They're roughly 3000 miles (5000km) west of Hawaii.Lying just above the Equator.The four states are actually grouping of 607 small islands and atolls. Generally speaking, the FSM comprises what is known as the Eastern and Western Caroline Islands

LANGUAGE :

English, Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosraean

CURRENCY :

US dollar ($)

TIPPING :

Tipping 10% to 15% is catching on in Pohnpei but, despite the American influence, it's not really done elsewhere in the country

ELECTRICITY :

110/120V, 60Hz

GEOGRAPHY :
Although they cover an ocean expanse five times the size of France, the total land mass of the 607 islands is less than the size of an average US city. Kosrae and Chuuk are high volcanic islands, while Yap is a raised part of the Asian continental shelf.The Federated States of Micronesia have a tropical oceanic climate that is consistently warm and humid. Most days it's around 81°F (27°C) The wettest months are April and May and the Typhoon season is between August and December.

HISTORY
The most popular theory of Micronesian history states that the first settlers canoed here from the Philippines and Indonesiaaround 4000 - 2000 BC. Much later, voyagers from Melanesia worked their way from Kosrae to Pohnpei, Chuuk and Yap.In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan sailed past Micronesia on his way around the world, making the islands a stopover for expeditions on their way to the Spice IslandsWhalers soon came to the islands followed by Protestant missionaries, who imposed Western clothing, language and laws along with their religion. In 1899 Germany purchased Micronesia from the Spanish but when WWI began, Germany fled Micronesia and the Japanese took over.On 7 December 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and took possession of Guam. It wasn't until three years later in February of 1944 that the USA retaliated with an attack on Chuuk Lagoon, the Japanese fleet's most important base in the central Pacific. Over 200,000 tons of equipment was sunk over two days, and the base was neutralised. When the war ended the occupation continued, this time with the Americans. The USA was given administrative rights over the islands, setting up a series of military bases and preventing other countries from having a military presence in the region. In 1965, America agreed to form a Congress of Micronesia - a body elected by islanders to determine the islands' future - but executive control remained with the US High Commissioner. In July 1978, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap voted to share a constitution, and in May 1979 they became the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Micronesia agreed to let the US control its relations with other countries and maintain its exclusive military access under a 15-year compact signed in 1982. In turn, the US guaranteed annual funding. The compact was officially implemented in 1986 and in 1991 the FSM was admitted to the United Nations.

HIGHLIGHTS
Yap's big celebraton is Yap Day, in the first week of March, with plenty of colorful ceremonial dancing and sporting events. Mitmits - large feasts accompanied by the liberal distribution of gifts and ceremonial singing and dancing - are held throughout the year. One village holds a mitmit for another village, which reciprocates the following year.Kosrae's big holiday is Liberation Day, on 8 September, marking the American defeat of Japan on the islands at the end of WWII. Celebrations include sports competitions and canoe races.The connected island of Lelu has impressive ruins that date from around the 14th century when Kosrae's chief's were the dominant regional power. Yap is still a very traditional culture where stone money is still used in traditional exchanges. he island's communities are connected by centuries-old stone footpaths, and village houses are still built in the elaborate, traditional style with wood, thatch, rope and bamboo.

TRANSPORTATION
Ground Transportation:Renting a car is the best option for travel on a single island although there are taxis on most of the islands. Inter-island travel can be done by plane or boat, which is the cheapest way. Chuuk has an extensive weekday system of commuter boats between its islands, and private speedboats do short runs throughout the country.
Airlines :The main gateways into the Federated States of Micronesia are Honolulu, Manila and Guam (flights arrive there from the USA, Australia and Asia).

WEBSITE :

www.visit-fsm.org

CAPITAL :

Moen

AREA SIZE :

While the country's total land area amounts to only 270.8 square miles, it occupies more than one million square miles of the Pacific Ocean, and ranges 1,700 miles from East (Kosrae) to West (Yap). Each of the four States centers around one or more "high islands," and all but Kosrae include numerous atolls. Chuuk State has a total land area of 49.2 square miles and includes seven major island groups

TAXES :

There is a US$5 departure tax from Pohnpei, US$10 from Chuuk and US$10 from Kosrae. Yap has no departure tax.

AREA CODE :

011-691

TIME :

GMT/UTC plus 10 hours in Yap and Chuuk; GMT/UTC plus 11 hours in Pohnpei and Kosrae

DOCUMENTS :

Visas are not required for tourist visits up to 30 days. Your 30 days start afresh each time you move to a different island group. US citizens can extend their permit for up to a year.

POPULATION :

53,500

AVERAGE WATER TEMPERATURE :

85 degrees F

AVERAGE VISIBILITY :

100ft (30m)

TYPES OF DIVING :

live aboard is a good choice for Truk. There is also Shore and Boat diving.

BEST TIME TO DIVE :

Year round

WHAT TO WEAR :

Light dive skins to light thermal wet suit

DIVES NOT TO MISS :

A whole Japanese fleet rests on Chuuk or Truk lagoon floor, evidence of the largest naval loss in history.Fujikawa Maru, Shinkoku Maru, San Francisco Maru, Nippo Maru, Sankisan Maru