The most interesting facts about Micronesia, from giant crabs, a color-blind island and the world’s longest-running humanitarian airlift.
Fast facts
Official name: Federated States of Micronesia
Capital city: Palikir
Population: 99,603
Area: 702 sq km
Major languages: English, Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese
Time zone: UTC+10 / +11
Interesting facts about Micronesia
1. The Federated States of Micronesia is an island nation made up of over 600 islands located in Oceania.
2. The Federated States of Micronesia is often abbreviated to Micronesia or the acronym, FSM.
3. However, it is not to be confused with the wider cultural and geographic region of Micronesia which includes more than 2,000 islands including the nations of Palau, the Marshall Islands and Nauru, Kiribati and of course, the Federated States of Micronesia.
Note: we refer to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) as Micronesia below.
4. It is believed that some islands of Micronesia have been inhabited since before 1000 BCE.
5. The islands were first sighted by Europeans in 1500 by Spanish explorers.
6. Micronesia was colonised by Spain in 1886 who then sold the islands to Germany in 1899. Japan then occupied the islands from 1914 until 1944.
7. Micronesia was a major battleground during the Second World War. In 1944, Operation Hailstone was a massive US Navy air and surface assault in Micronesia, conducted as part of the American offensive against Japan.
8. In Truk Lagoon in Micronesia, there are over 60 shipwrecks of Japanese warships destroyed by American forces in 1944.
9. In 2004, a Second World War shipwreck resurfaced in Micronesia following a typhoon. The wreck of USS Mississinewa, an American oil tanker sunk in the atoll by a Japanese torpedo in 1944, was disturbed by the storm and began to leak the aviation fuel that it had been transporting.
10. From 1947 to 1986, Micronesia was part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), a United Nations trust territory administered by the USA.
11. Micronesia is one of 21 countries that do not have an army.
12. Instead, as a former US-administered territory, the USA provides aid and is responsible for Micronesia’s defence. In return, the USA can maintain military bases in Micronesia.
13. Micronesia occupies just a small landmass of 702 sq km, but the country is dispersed across an ocean expanse of nearly 3 million sq km – an area approximately five times the size of France.
14. Micronesia is home to the only ancient city ever built on a coral reef. The country’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nan Madol is an ancient city that was constructed in a lagoon between 1200 and 1500. The site consists of at least 100 small artificial islands which hold remains of stone palaces, temples, tombs and houses.
15. Micronesia is one of the least visited countries in the world. It only receives around 18,000 tourists in 2019.
16. Micronesia has a relatively high population density compared with many other countries in Oceania, with around 161 people per square kilometer.
17. Micronesia is home to the longest-running humanitarian airlift in the world. Operation Christmas Drop is an annual military training operation that airlifts Christmas gifts and humanitarian aid to Micronesia. It began in 1952 and continues to this day.
18. Micronesia is home to the most color-blind place on Earth. Worldwide, only one in every 30,000 people has achromatopsia (color blindness). But on Pingelap Atoll in Micronesia, one in 10 people are afflicted.
19. Legend has it that a catastrophic typhoon in 1775 led to a significant population decline on the island. Among the survivors was a leader who possessed a unique gene responsible for a severe form of color blindness. This gene was subsequently inherited by subsequent generations on the island.
20. Micronesia’s flag is made up of white stars representing the four states, centred on a blue background which represents the Pacific Ocean.
See how Micronesia’s flag compares to other Oceania flags.
21. The tiny Micronesian island of Mogmog is home to the largest terrestrial arthropods (crabs) in the world. The crabs have a leg span of nearly one meter and can crush coconuts with their pincers.
22. Micronesia, like many Pacific island nations, has one of the fattest populations in the world. Data from 2026 ranked Micronesia 9th most obese, with about 58% of its population affected by obesity.
23. The Micronesian island of Yap has hundreds of giant discs of rocks dispersed across it. Known as rai, these stone rings have been used as a form of currency for centuries, even though many of the stones are too heavy to move.
24. Every year on the island of Yap, the Homecoming Festival or ‘The Taste of Yap’ is celebrated. Activities include a stone money ceremony, canoe building and traditional dancing such as the men’s standing dance and a stick dance.
25. Micronesia has been hit by a number of severe typhoons over the years. Notable events were Typhoon Chataan in 2002 and Typhoon Sudal in 2004, which destroyed much of the island of Yap’s infrastructure.
26. In 2018, a plane sunk in a lagoon after overshooting the runway in Micronesia. Fortunately, all 57 people on board were rescued safely.
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Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. With seven years of teaching experience and a background in educational content, she specialises in creating clear reference resources about countries, geography and global topics.