Micronesia, in the western Pacific, consists of some 600 islands grouped into four states: Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk) and Yap.
Occupying a very small total land mass, it is scattered over an ocean expanse five times the size of France.
Though formally independent, in 1986 Micronesia signed a "Compact of Free Association" with the US. Under this, Washington took on responsibility for defence and gained the right to set up military bases and deny other nations access to Micronesia.
In return, Micronesia received financial assistance averaging $100m per year, and the right of Micronesians to live and work in the US. Micronesia also takes its cue from Washington on foreign policy.
A renegotiated 20-year compact, worth $3.5 billion to Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, was signed by US President George W Bush in December 2003. Some of the money is being diverted into trust funds, intended to provide a financial resource for Micronesia after the compact expires.
Despite its small population and the large amount of incoming aid from the US, Japan and elsewhere, Micronesia has relatively high unemployment, a matter compounded by increasing numbers of Filipino migrant workers.
Many Micronesians live without electricity or running water, which is in short supply and is sometimes rationed. The gap between rich and poor is increasing as businessmen and officials benefit disproportionately from US aid donations.
Micronesia's biggest challenge is to find a way of lessening its dependence on foreign aid. Given the islands' splendid beaches and scuba diving opportunities, tourism offers one possibility, but this is constrained by the lack of adequate infrastructure and the islands' remoteness.
President: Immanuel "Manny" Mori
Immanuel "Manny" Mori was chosen as the country's seventh president in May 2007.
The president is elected every four years by the congress.
Mr Mori is from Chuuk, the largest and most populous state in the four-state federation.
According to an official biography he was the executive vice president of the Bank of the Federated States of Micronesia from 1997 until his election as a senator in 1999. Apart from working as a banker he also worked in the civil service.
Mr Mori is of Japanese descent. He is married and has four daughters.
He replaced Joseph Urusemal who said he aimed to improve and expand partnerships with Japan and Australia - two important regional partners - and to work on shared goals with other Pacific island leaders.
In 2003 Mr Urusemal told the UN General Assembly that Micronesia was threatened by global climate change, with increases in the frequency and intensity of storms in the Pacific.
Micronesia has no daily newspaper, but the federal government publishes a fortnightly information bulletin and each of the constituent state governments produces its own newsletter.
The state governments and a religious organisation operate radio stations, and cable TV is available on Pohnpei and Chuuk.
The press
Television
Radio
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