Micronesia is both an island state located in Oceania and a larger area of Oceania, collectively also under the name Micronesia, which further includes the island states of Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, the Northern Mariana Islands and Palau.
Micronesia is one of the three archipelagos into which the Pacific islands are usually divided. The others are Polynesia and Melanesia.
Micronesia includes the islands west of the dateline and north of the equator; a total of over 2000 islands, almost all very small. The total land area is less than 2000 km 2, spread over 9 million. km 2 sea; total approx. 500,000 inhabitants.
Heart of Voh, aerial view, mangroves resemble a heart seen from above, New Caledonia, Micronesia
Most of the islands are now independent islands but remain closely linked to the United States. From west to east lie the independent states of Palau, the United States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. North to this is the Northern Marians and Guam, both of which have local autonomy under the United States. Nauru and the former British Gilbert Islands, now Kiribati, farthest to the east are also included in the archipelago.
The islands all have tropical climates, and traditionally coconut trees and fishing have formed the basis of life for the population. Now many Micronesian societies are completely dependent on US military offerings and generally US assistance, and imported food, video, and canned beer are now conspicuous cultural elements, while indigenous business cultures have disappeared in most places. A large number of Christian churches form an important part of daily life. They carry on more than 100 years of tradition of extensive missionary activities in Micronesia.
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