Federated States of Micronesia Travel Guide

The Pacific island nation, formerly under US administration, is now struggling to contend with high unemployment and over-fishing during its early decades of independence.

Consisting of hundreds of islands which have been passed from the Portuguese to the Spanish, Germans, Japanese and finally the US, it is no wonder there are seven official languages. Site of much WWII activity, the potential for a booming tourist industry exists, but the lack of infrastructure, the reputation as a former nuclear testing site and its remoteness seem to put most people off.

Those who do come however, will experience a rich and sometimes bizarre culture, with the inhabitants of Yap known for paying each other using stone ‘coins’ that can be up to 12 feet in diameter; imagine trying to carry your short change around here!