• Solomon Islands!

    Solomon Islands: Looking up at palm trees. Go Now!

    Solomon Islands
    This Melanesian country is best known for its many islands and beaches... and this natural landscape (pictured) is why most people go. Don't miss out on the unique Melanesian culture and foods though! Begin Your Journey!

  • Tonga!

    Tonga: Coastline. Go Now!

    Tonga
    The heart of Polynesian culture is rooted in Tonga, but most visitors just come for the natural beauty. Explore Tonga!

  • Vanuatu!

    Vanuatu: Jetty into the ocean. Go Now!

    Vanuatu
    Picturesque serenity is a good way to describe Vanuatu, but the culture offers much more, including the inspiration for bungee jumping, which remains a rite of passage for young men. Explore Vanuatu!

  • Palau!

    Palau: "70 Islands!" Go Now!

    Palau
    Few people have even heard of this small Micronesian country, but those who have often return with stories of beauty unmatched elsewhere, such as view of the "70 Islands" (pictured). Go Now!

  • Explore the: Federated States of Micronesia!

    Federated States of Micronesia: Overlooking some islands. Go Now!

    Federated States of Micronesia
    This diverse country stretches for thousands of miles and has the diversity to prove it, including the people from Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Yap among others. Begin Your Journey!

  • Samoa!

    Samoa: A traditional home. Go Now!

    Samoa
    Among the most famous of the South Pacific's many countries, Samoa sits in the heart of Polynesia and has a culture to match. Begin Your Journey!

Ethnicity, Language, & Religion of the Federated States of Micronesia

Ethnicity

The people of the Federated States of Micronesia are ethnically Micronesian. The Micronesians are a combination of Melanesian, Polynesian, and Filipino, but every sub-group has differing combinations of these ethnicities and each's culture, food, and language varies based on these differences. The people of the Federated States of Micronesia generally identify by their more localized and specific ethnicity, although all of these people can be considered Micronesian.

About half of the country's population is ethnically Chuukese, about a quarter of the population is Pohnpeian, and the last quarter is divided among numerous groups, many of which are unified by island groupings, including the Kosraean, Yapese, and others. No matter the group, all of these people are closely related in an ethnic sense and are also fairly closely related to the people of Palau, the Marshall Islands, and to a lesser degree Kiribati.

Language

English is the official language of the Federated States of Micronesia and many people speak this language with some people today even learning it as a first language. More commonly, the people speak any number of Micronesian languages native to the country and learn English as a second language as a means to communication from language to language as the country is home to dozens of languages.

Among the most common Micronesian languages spoken are Chuukese (or Trukese), Kosraean, and Pohnpeian. All of these languages belong to the Austronesian language family and all are considered Micronesian languages. Most Chuukese speakers are located on or around the island of Chuuk, most speakers of Kosraean are located in the area of Kosrae, and Pohnpeian is most commonly heard on the island of Pohnpei and nearby islands. Pohnpeian has adopted many English and Japanese words as well.

Religion

Just over half of the Federated States of Micronesia's population is Roman Catholic. Nearly everyone else is Protestant with 40% of the population being Congregational. This religious divide strongly reflects the different missionaries who converted most of the people or their ancestors.

Continue reading on Safari the Globe to Learn the Catholic Church's doctrines, liturgy, symbolism, traditions, & hierarchy

This page was last updated: May, 2014