FACTS

Location: Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia

Area (only Total) total: 702 sq km

Climate: tropical; tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage

Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk

Population: 107,665

Main Language (only first): English

Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004

Capital (Name): Palikir

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+11

Independence: 3 November 1986

National holiday: Constitution Day, 10 May