The world is full of fascinating destinations. Choosing the ideal place to vacation – it can be challenging. Fortunately, we can offer you some guidance if you consider visiting the Micronesia Islands. It’s obvious that in choosing the right place for your vacation, you must take into consideration your needs and preferences. By this, we mean taking into account your personality, energy levels and the level of comfort you require from accommodations. This is the only way you’ll manage to really enjoy yourself.
In order to help you figure out your vacation plans, we prepared the following recommendations. Hopefully, they’ll help you craft a solid travel plan!
Visit the Federated States of Micronesia
One of the most beautiful – and remote – places on earth is the 607-island nation that is the Federated States of Micronesia. Of equal importance, it is a friendly and peaceful place, despite its intimidating name. This island is home to a unique cultural and biological diversity, making it an ideal travel destination. Moreover, it represents approximately a million square miles of ocean north of the equator that is unparalleled anywhere.
The Islands of Micronesia sit in the middle of the Caroline Islands Archipelago, a vast seascape that extends from Kiribati in the east to Palau in the west. What makes this travel destination so unique is that fact that it is located within an abundant point of biodiversity. Namely, at the convergence of the major currents of the Philippine Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. This means it hosts one of the world’s greatest coral reefs in the world today.
Geographically, four groups of Island States form The Federated States of Micronesia. From east to west they are Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap. In addition, each is equally unique with its own geography, language, and culture. This makes it the ideal travel destination for those of you fascinated by exploring different cultures. In the Federated States of Micronesia, 17 indigenous languages are still spoken today.
The Landscape Of The Micronesia Islands
The geography of the Micronesia Islands is beautiful, diverse, and most of all, pristine. If you choose this destination for your vacation you will see witness virgin vistas of exquisite beauty. By choosing Micronesia you get to visit 2,000-ft high mountain peaks, wide river valleys, and rolling hills with beautiful open fields. From protected lagoons to gorgeous mangrove forests, Micronesia is also full of remote and often unexplored sandy beaches.
The locals of the Federated States of Micronesia are always adapting to their surroundings. They do this by developing settlements that are in tune with the landscape. Not only do they build houses for the particular type of area they live in, but they also try to preserve the beauty and riches of the land and the sea.
The way in which the people managed to have organized their settlements differs. In accordance with the type of landscape present, the locals live in isolated communities, as well as clustered, but not overcrowded, villages.
Since the land is in short supply, the locals consider it of great importance. They have a deep connection to it and is one of the most valued assets they pass on from one generation to the next. Families and clans have property rights over most of the land. However, visitors are still able to access regions of tourist interest in the country.
People And Language
The native people of the Micronesia Islands are known as Micronesians. It should be stated that some inhabitants of Pohnpei State are of Polynesian origin. The Micronesians are actually a blend of people with diverse customs and traditions united under events of recent history and common aspiration.
The official language of the government and commerce is English. Besides English, eight other indigenous languages exist, such as Pohnpeians, Yapese, Ulithian, Chuukese, Kosraeans, Nukuoro, Woleaians, Kapingamarangi. Many of the Islands elders are fluent in Japanese.
The current use of eight major indigenous languages exemplifies the cultural diversity. English is the official language of commerce, easing access to visitors to the islands. Similarities in the culture become obvious by the importance of traditions in the family. These traditions also extend to the clans found on each island.
During your vacation, you can take a look into the daily life of the people of the country. Every State has evolved cultural characteristics that are of great importance to the tourism potential of Micronesia or those interested in investing in the islands. A strong caste system continues to be the way most of society is built on. Clan relationships continue to be an important factor that plays an extremely important role in everyday life.
History
It’s not only the landscape of Micronesia that makes it special. The country’s history is alluring as well. Both ancient ruins, along with 20th-century relics of war are scattered around the landscape, making Micronesia a history-aficionado magnet.
You can also see the influence of European and Japanese culture if you travel there and interact with the people and observe customs. However, the majority of people of the Micronesia Islands are culturally and linguistically Micronesian.
Each of the four States displays different cultures and traditions. Nevertheless, it is easy to observe their shared cultural and economic bonds. These bonds developed over the centuries. The most prominent evidence of these cultural similarities is the existence of extended family and clan systems. These are present on each of the islands.
Culture Of The Micronesia Islands
The peoples of the Micronesia Islands have kept their culture alive through strong traditions, legends, and colorful folklore. The cultural diversity is exemplified by the existing eight major indigenous languages.
Since the Micronesia islands are so isolated from the western world, the four states had plenty of time to develop their own unique language, customs, and traditions. The Micronesian people have eight major native languages still spoken today. They belong to the Malayo-Polynesian linguistic family. However, English is the official language of the Islands.
An abundant oral history is present in the Micronesian culture. The distinct musical heritage is a major part of this history. The traditional Micronesian music with its distinct sounds was passed on from each generation to the next. This has impacted its development with its unique characteristics from state to state. Micronesia’s pop music has clear influences from traditional music. However, it also contains influences from the American culture (country and western music, reggae), as well as modern European music.
Economy
The cultivation of tree crops and root crops form the basic subsistence economy. On the Micronesia Islands, you can find a continuous supply of bananas, coconuts, primary breadfruits, and citrus. The root crops represent primarily yam and taro harvests.
Also, for the most part, the economy is supplemented by fishing. Agriculture is done at a small scale and various fishing practices continue to exist.
The subsistence economic and cultural system of the societies of the Islands is based on communal work, sharing, and the traditional tributes offered to the Micronesian leaders. The household is the primary economic unit. Furthermore, the extended clan and family systems are still the basic family units. The biggest solitary social groups found on the Islands are the lineal clans. The traditional political systems play the most important part of the lives of the people in the Micronesian Islands today.
As you can see, Micronesia is an incredibly vast and multicultural place, filled with a lot of diversity, just like French Polynesia. Travel through its lush landscape, take in its beautiful scenery or explore its rich culture. From geographic, historic and cultural marvels, this is a travel destination you must definitely visit!
Tips:
- The Official Put-in-Bay Visitors & Convention Bureau in Put-in-Bay, Ohio has tailored this website as a tourist information center to provide you with all of the necessary information for planning your trip to our little Ohio Island, from hotels & resorts and home rentals to reserving your golf cart before you arrive.
- Put In Bay Golf Carts offers the island largest and newest fleet of golf carts including EZ-GO, Yamaha & Club Car quality golf carts seating 2-4-6 & 8 passengers.