Saturday, January 22, 2011

POPULATION.
The population of Micronesia was estimated at 134,597 in July 2001. The current annual population growth rate is 3.28 percent, which will result in a population of 176,815 by 2010. The average children per family is 3.83 children.
There are 9 ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups, spread across the islands. In 1994, around 53,319 people lived in Chuuk; 33,692 in Pohnpei; 11,178 in Yap; and 7,317 in Kosrae. The highest population density was estimated in Chuuk island with 419.8 people per square kilometer (1,087 per square mile) in 1994.

The Federated States of Micronesia forms (with Palau) the archipelago of the Caroline Islands, and lies about 497 miles east of the Philippines. The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) consists of 607 islands and includes (from west to east) the states of Yap, Chuuk (formerly Truk), Pohnpei (formerly Ponape), and Kosrae. Micronesia covers about 271 square miles of land , has a coastline of 3,798 miles and is scattered over more than 1 million square miles of the ocean. Micronesia's largest island cluster is Pohnpei (163 islands), with an area of 133 square miles, while the smallest cluster is Kosrae (5 islands), spanning 42.5 square miles. The islands include a variety of terrains, ranging from mountainous islands to low, coral atolls and volcanic outcrops.

Nationality:noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
Ethnic groups:Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Yap outer islands 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, other 6.4%, unknown 1.4% (2000 census)
Religions:Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3%
Languages:English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

Micronesia Food forms a prominent part of the culture of the island nation. The chief food items of Micronesia include starchy carbohydrate based foods, meat and fruits. The custom of sharing food, prevalent in Micronesia, symbolizes the strong bonds existent between the people of the island nation.Traditional meals of Micronesia feature all major food items available in the country. The starchy carbohydrate foods of Micronesia comprises of breadfruit, taro, sweet potatoes, yams, cassava, etc. Livestock tended locally, like pigs and chickens, form parts of important feasts of Micronesia.Fish are also integral part of Micronesia Food. Micronesia, being an island nation, provides the people with an ample quantity of fish to be utilized as one of the chief food items of Micronesia. Shellfish, marine turtles and crustaceans are also eaten by the people of Micronesia. Fruits grown in abundance all over the country are part of the food in Micronesia. Some of the fruits grown in Micronesia are banana, coconut, papaya, mango, pandanus, citrus fruits, etc.

I found a lot of information at these sites.
http://www.mapsofworld.com/micronesia/culture-and-society/food.html
http://www.visit-fsm.org/
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1839.htm
http://www.fsmgov.org/

1 comment:

  1. We now have some great ideas for our shopping list for food....I wonder how they prepared the breadfruit, taro and fish?

    ReplyDelete