The 2,147 islands of Micronesia are scattered over 3 million square
miles of the North Pacific. Together they total just 717 square miles of land. They
comprise eight distinct and totally unique island groups--each with its own culture,
language, history and stunning tropical attractions. The groups are Guam, the Republic of
Palau, the Marianas, Pohnpei, Yap, Chuuk (Truk), the Marshalls and Kosrae.
Geography and Political Status
The islands of Micronesia lie north of the
equator in the Western Pacific. They are the result of volcanic activity millions of years
ago. Some are the tips of huge underwater mountains, some--the atolls--are the rims of
sunken volcano craters which peak above the water surrounding serene lagoons and some are
combinations of the two.
Micronesia is spread over 3 million miles of
the Pacific and includes over 2000 islands. The distance from one end of Micronesia to the
other is 2,040 nautical miles.
Micronesia is not a single country. It is a
loose collection of different countries, united in their history of having been the U.S.
Trust Territory of Micronesia. Guam is a United States territory; the Republic of Palau
and the Marshalls are independent nations; the Marianas is a commonwealth associated with
the United States; and Pohnpei, Yap, Chuuk and Kosrae are combined as the Federation
States of Micronesia, which exist in an agreement of free association with the United
States.
Language: Everyone in Micronesia speaks
English plus a native tongue
Electricity: Micronesia operates on the
same 110 volt/60 cycle current as exists in the United States.
Currency: U.S. dollars are used
throughout Micronesia. International credit cards are also widely accepted.
Climate: Tropical, with little seasonal
variation. Average temperatures year round are 80 to 90 degrees with 70% humidity,
depending on the island.
Religion: Predominantly Christian
Time Zone: Micronesia stretches across
3 time zones: Palau is 9 hours ahead of GMT; Guam and Saipan 20 hours ahead and the
Marshall Islands 12 hours ahead.
Passport and Visa: U.S. citizens do not
require passports or visas; however, proof of citizenship is required. All other visitors
require a valid passport, and for entry into Guam all non-U.S. citizens (except Canadians)
must have a U.S. visa.
Chuuk (formerly known as Truk)
lagoon is another of Micronesia's incredible undersea phenomena. The giant lagoon is
almost 40 miles in diameter and reaches depths of 300 feet. Aside from the sheer beauty of
the undersea coral reef beneath the clear water, the bottom of Chuuk lagoon is the final
tomb for more than 100 ships, planes and submarines--the legacy of a fierce World War II
battle between the Japanese Imperial Fleet and Allied carrier attack planes.
For the past 50 years these wrecks have rested
on the bottom virtually undisturbed, creating the greatest underwater museum in the world.
The warm tropical water, prolific marine life
and ocean currents have transformed the wrecks into breathtakingly beautiful coral gardens
and artificial reefs, home to hundreds of exotic marine animals and fish. Today, Chuuk
lagoon is a mecca to the world's sport divers, underwater photographers and marine
scientists.
Diving & Snorkelling
To the diving enthusiast, Chuuk offers
unquestionably the finest wreck diving experience available. It is a rare opportunity to
find so many ship wrecks so close together and so completely intact. Chuuk also grows
better with time and exploration. With each year of submersion the wrecks become more
gilded in a lacework of brilliantly coloured soft coral, sponges, anemones and sea fans.
This dense marine life, in turn, attracts great schools of jacks, tuna, grouper and other
creatures of the deep.
