Geography of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is an island nation located in the western Pacific Ocean. Despite its small landmass of 702 square kilometers, it boasts a vast exclusive economic zone of 2,996,419 square kilometers, making it the 14th largest in the world.
Spanning 2,900 kilometers across the Caroline Islands Archipelago, FSM consists of 607 islands grouped into four states. These states are Yap, Chuuk (formerly Truk), Pohnpei (formerly Ponape), and Kosrae. Situated about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia, FSM is part of the Micronesia sub-region of Oceania.
Geologically, FSM's islands range from volcanic rock outcroppings to low coral atolls. The highest point is Nanlaud on Pohnpei at 782 meters, while the lowest is the Pacific Ocean's shoreline mean sea level at 0 meters. The country's coastline measures an impressive 6,112 kilometers due to the numerous islands.
FSM enjoys a tropical climate with relatively constant warm temperatures year-round. Rainfall is abundant, with Pohnpei being one of the wettest places on Earth, receiving up to 8.4 meters of rain annually. However, droughts occasionally occur, especially during El Niño conditions. Natural hazards such as tropical typhoons, tsunamis, and rising sea levels pose threats to the islands.