Climate
Tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage; Natural hazards : typhoons June to December.
History
National holiday Constitution Day, 10 May 1979 Constitution 10 May 1979
In 1979, the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. On 3 November, 1986, independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US; economic provisions of the Compact are being renegotiated. Previously, the area had been colonized by the Japanese, the Germans, and the Spanish
Independence 3 November, 1986 from the US-administered UN Trusteeship
Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.
Terrain
Islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Truk
Highest point: Dolohmwar Totolom 791 m