Micronesia (Federated States of) - Kosrae State

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is an independent republic associated with the United States. It consists of four states - from west to east, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae - that are spread across the Western Pacific Ocean. Together, the states comprise around 607 islands (a combined land area of approximately 702 km²) that cover a longitudinal distance of almost 2.700 km just north of the equator. They lie northeast of New Guinea, south of Guam and the Marianas, west of Nauru and the Marshall Islands, east of Palau and the Philippines, about 2.900 km north of eastern Australia and some 4.000 km southwest of the main islands of Hawaii.

While the FSM's total land area is quite small, it occupies more than 2.600.000 km² of the Pacific Ocean, giving the country the 14th largest Exclusive Economic Zone in the world. The sovereign island nation's capital is Palikir, located on Pohnpei Island, while the largest city is Weno, located in the Chuuk Atoll.

Each of its four states is centred on one or more main high islands, and all but Kosrae include numerous outlying atolls. The Federated States of Micronesia is spread across part of the Caroline Islands in the wider region of Micronesia, which consists of thousands of small islands divided among several countries. The term Micronesia may refer to the Federated States or to the region as a whole.

The FSM was formerly a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), a United Nations Trust Territory under U.S. administration, but it formed its own constitutional government on 10 May 1979, becoming a sovereign state after independence was attained on 3 November 1986 under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Other neighbouring island entities, and also former members of the TTPI, formulated their own constitutional governments and became the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Republic of Palau (ROP). The FSM has a seat in the United Nations and has been a member of the Pacific Community since 1983.

Kosrae, the easternmost of the Caroline Islands, has a population of 6.616 (2010 census). It is located approximately 600 km north of the equator, between Guam and the Hawaiian Islands. It has a land area of approximately 110 km². Some parts of the island are experiencing coastal erosion.

Kosrae is a high island that is largely unspoiled. It is becoming a destination for scuba divers and hikers. The coral reefs that surround the island are kept in pristine condition through an extensive mooring buoy system, installed and maintained by concerned expat dive operators with the help of the government's Marine Resources office. The reefs are largely untouched, and contain miles of hard corals, some said to be thousands of years old.

Dense vegetation and steep mountains keep the island largely undeveloped. Viewed from the ocean, the island's distinct shape resembles a female body. This has led to the island being called "the island of the sleeping lady."

I sent envelopes to all four states of FSM, using four series of four stamps that each depict one of the states: island maps (1984), state flags (1989), canoes (1993) and native costumes (1994). Three out of four returned. The cover from Kosrae went through the US Postal Service in Honolulu and unfortunately got a second cancellation there.

The FSM Postal Services have a website, but for stamps you have to contact the office manager: post.gov.fm.

Date sent: 10 May 2017

Date postmark: 25 May 2017

Date received: 7 June 2017

Number of days: 28

Envelope in collection: 146