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Pacific Map
| General
Information |
Area: Kosrae (5 islands) - 110 sq km (42 sq miles);
Pohnpei (163 islands) - 344 sq km (133 sq miles); Chuuk (formerly Truk) (294 islands) - 127 sq km (49 sq miles);
Yap (145 islands) - 119 sq km (46 sq miles). Total: 700 sq km (270 sq miles).
Population: 114,000 (1998).
Population Density: 163 per sq km.
Capital: Palikir (Pohnpei). Population: 33,692 (1998).
Geography: The Federated States of Micronesia lie 3680km (2300 miles) north of Australia and 4000km (2500 miles)
west of Hawaii. They comprise 607 islands scattered over 1.6 million sq km (617,761 sq miles), the most widely
spread Pacific Islands group. Yap's uplands are covered by dry meadows and scrub growth. Chuuk lagoon is circled
by one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, while Pohnpei has mountains rising to over 600m (2000ft).
Government: Federal Republic since 1980. Gained self-governing status (in free association with the USA) in 1986.
Head of State and Government: President Leo A Falcam since 1999.
Language: English; Micronesian languages, including Kosrean, Pohnpean, Chuukese and Yapese, are widely spoken.
Religion: Mostly Roman Catholic with other Christian denominations.
Time: Owing to the vast area covered by the islands, Micronesia spans two time zones:
Chuuk and Yap: GMT + 10.
Kosrae and Pohnpei: GMT + 11.
Communications:
Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 691. Outgoing international code: 00.
Internet/E-mail: FSM Telecom is the main ISP. To find out more about the services contact Mr Takuro Akinga (General
Manager); (e-mail: takinaga@telecom.fm).
Telegram: Facilities at island capitals and main hotels.
Postal: Post offices are located in Kolonia for Pohnpei, Moen for Chuuk, Lelu for Kosrae and Colonia for Yap. Opening
hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630.
Press: Pacific Daily News (Guam) is the main English language newspaper in the Federated States of Micronesia. |
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| Travel |
AIR: Continental Micronesia (CS) flights link the
major islands with Guam, Tokyo, Manila and Honolulu. Air Nauru provides services twice a week linking Pohnpei to
Australia, Fiji, Nauru, Guam, and Manila.
International airport: Pohnpei (PNI) is 5km (3 miles) from Kolonia.
Departure tax: US$5 for Pohnpei and $10 for Chuuk and Kosrae for domestic and international departures. There is
no departure tax for Yap.
SEA: International ports are Pohnpei, Chuuk and Yap. Inter-island trading ships based in Pohnpei, Yap and Chuuk
visit the outlying islands.
ROAD: There are good roads in and around major island centres. Bus: No service. Taxi: Available throughout the
Federated States and inexpensive. Car hire: Self-drive cars are available in major towns. Documentation: National
driving licence or International Driving Permit required. |
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| Entry |
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Passport |
Visa |
Return Ticket Required |
| Australian |
Yes |
1 |
Yes |
| British |
Yes |
1 |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
1 |
Yes |
| Japanese |
Yes |
1 |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
1 |
Yes |
| USA |
No |
No |
Yes |
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PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 120 days beyond
the date of entry required by all except nationals of the Marshall Islands, Palau and the USA with acceptable documentation
(birth certificate or Entry Permit issued by Micronesia), if no passport is available.
VISAS: 1.: Not required for visits of up to 30 days. For longer stays and for all visits other than touristic visits,
an Entry Permit is required, and should be obtained prior to travel. Nationals of the passport exempt countries
may stay for 1 year without an Entry Permit, if visiting as tourists.
Types of visa and cost: Entry Permit. Cost on application.
Validity: Normally up to 30 days. May be extended to 60 days, although nationals of passport exempt countries may
apply for an extension of one year's duration.
Application to: Chief of Immigration, Department of Justice, FSM Government Office, PO Box PS 105, Palikir, Pohnpei
FM 96941 (tel: 320 5844 or 320 2605; fax: 320 7250 or 320 6240; e-mail: imhq@mail.fm).
Note: All visitors require proof of adequate funds and return or onward tickets.
Additional Visa Information:
http://www.fsmgob.org |
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| Scuba
Diving |
Water Temp
All of the islands experience warm water temperatures throughout the year. Expect temps in the 80 F to 82 F range.
Visibility
Palau - Visibility averages 100' or better most of the year, but during the rainy season clarity can be affected
somewhat.
Truk - Also averages 100', but can be more affected by summer rains and at times may drop to 50'.
Yap - Inside reefs average up to 100' while the outer reefs and walls can see 150' or better.
Diving
Guam - Grand Central for the south pacific and Micronesia, Guam may be your destination
or your transfer point to the out islands. Guam is complete with large resorts, fine restaurants, beaches, water
sports and great diving. There are many dives inside the harbor including excellent reefs and large wrecks, such
as the the Tokai Maru, a 465' WWII Japanese cargo vessel torpedoed inside the harbor. Outside the harbor are excellent
walls with visibility averaging 100'. But the most famous dive of Guam is the Blue Hole. The Blue Hole drops from
the ocean bottom at 60' to about 300', but at 130' there is a "window" which opens to the sea. Here you
can exit onto the face of the wall and ascend. It's breathtaking.
Kosrae - If you are looking for the truely
quiet "get away from it all" tropical vacation, look closely at Kosrae. Not found by commercial tourism
yet, this is your opportunity to explore vigin divesites. Like Pohnpei, the reef completely encircles the island
and shallow reef dives will entertain the photographer with an astounding variety of tropical marine life. Outside
the barrier reef, pelagics are frequently seen, and a resident school of about 150 dolphins play and frolic in
the crystal clear sea.
Palau - While Palau has diving to suit
every taste, most divers come for the walls located just beyond the 125 mile long barrier reef. In some areas the
wall actually begins in just 6' - 20' of water and drops vertically to 1000'. Drift diving is the norm in Palau
as the currents can be swift through the channels and along the walls. Due to these currents, marine life can be
profuse and pelagics are often sighted riding these currents as well. You will have a great opportunity to dive
with gray reef sharks, mantas and occasionally, whale sharks. In addition to the natural wonders of Palau, there
are also a number of WWII Japanese ships to be explored in the island's lagoon.
Pohnpei - The high mountain peaks and tropical beauty of Pohnpei give way to some of the most
fun and exciting dives in Micronesia. Enclosed inside a barrier reef, the divesites are colorful, clear and profuse
with tropical marine life. For those with a penchant for adventure, outside the reefs are vertical walls giving
way to the ocean floor 6000' below. The edge of the wall is also a favorite cruising route of pelagics, including
white tip reef sharks.
Rota - The tip of a 36,000 ft. mountain rising from the depths of the Marianas Trench.
Visibility is argued to be the best in Micronesia averaging 200'. Among the popular divesites here are the 393'
Japanese freighter, Shoun Maru resting at 110' in the sand, and Senhamon Cave, an underwater grotto with archways
and swimthroughs that will impress any diver.
Tinian - The waters surrounding this tiny island provide divers with crystal clarity and
many unexplored divesites. A very unique quality here is that most sites begin less than 50 yards from the shoreline
as the bottom slopes away very quickly.
Truk - Yes there are beautiful reefs that fringe Truk Lagoon. But the lure here is wreck
diving. Truk Lagoon was to the Japanese Navy what Pearl Harbor was to the U.S. Fleet. Ships and planes numbering
around 60 lie on the bottom and 20 of these are dived on a regular basis. The diveable ships begin in as shallow
as 40' to 60' depths. The ships are encrusted with soft corals and sponges and remain almost completely intact
just as they were when they went down. Look but do not touch. Truk Lagoon is a state monument and the government
as well as your diveguides are very protective. Diving and exploring these wrecks is easy and comfortable as currents
are almost non-existent.
Yap - Diving here as at other Micronesian locations has a very diverse marine environment
suitable for all divers. The variety of critters is remarkable, but most divers come here for the manta rays. Several
channels seem to draw mantas like a magnet. These gentle giants have wingspans of up to 15 feet. The mantas come
and go depending on the tides within the channels so dive times can change daily. The numbers of rays seen on any
particular dive can range from a few to 50. Other diving around Yap includes shallow reefs, thick with soft corals
and sponges, and walls beyond the outer reef where visibility averages up to 150' and schooling pelagics are regularly
encountered. |
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| Misc.
Info. |
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Health care facilities in the FSM consist of hospitals on each of the four major
islands and a few scattered clinics. These facilities sometimes lack basic supplies and medicines, and the quality
of health care is variable. Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical
insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific coverage
for overseas treatment and medical evacuation may prove useful. Medical evacuation can be very expensive for non-ambulatory
patients. The U.S. Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide payment of medical services outside the United States.
INFORMATION ON CRIME: The overall crime rate in the FSM is low, but there have been incidents
where foreigners have been subject to, and possibly singled out for, verbal and physical abuse. The loss or theft
abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police, and to the nearest embassy or consulate.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's
laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and do not afford the
protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than
in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested
or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict. and convicted offenders
can expect jail sentences and a fine. Prison conditions in the FSM meet minimal international standards. Legal
procedures provide for due process.
ROAD SAFETY: Traffic, particularly in the state capitals, is increasing, and is a problem particularly
during the hours at the beginning and end of the work day. Most roads are narrow and without sidewalks, creating
a hazard for both drivers and pedestrians. Driving skills vary; drivers often make turns or stop to pick up pedestrians
without warning. Roads outside the towns are often unpaved, and are used by pedestrians, playing children, animals
and drivers alike. |
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