Long-form name: Federated States of Micronesia (no short-form name)

Type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986

Capital: Kolonia (on the island of Pohnpei); note--a new capital is being built about 10 km southwest in the Palikir valley

Administrative divisions: 4 states; Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap

Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship; formerly the Kosrae, Pohnpei, Truk, and Yap districts of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)

Constitution: 10 May 1979

Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

National holiday: Proclamation of the Federated States of Micronesia, 10 May (1979)

Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet

Legislative branch: unicameral Congress

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Bailey OLTER (since 11 May 1991); Vice President Jacob NENA (since 11 May 1991)

Political parties and leaders: no formal parties

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Elections: President--last held 5 March 1991 (next to be held March 1994); results--Vice President Bailey OLTER elected president; Congress--last held on 5 March 1991 (next to be held March 1993); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(14 total)

Communists: none

Member of: ESCAP (associate), ICAO, SPC, SPF, UN

Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jesse B. MAREHALAU; Embassy at 706 G Street SE, Washington DC 20003; telephone (202) 544-2640; US--Ambassador Aurelia BRAZEAL; Embassy at address NA, Kolonia (mailing address is P. O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941); telephone 691-320-2187

Flag: light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern

NOTE: The information regarding Micronesia, Federated States of on this page is re-published from the 1991 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Micronesia, Federated States of Government 1991 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Micronesia, Federated States of Government 1991 should be addressed to the CIA.