The region known as Micronesia covers an area of approximately 2.4 million square miles of the Northern and Central Pacific Ocean, between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer from Belau (previously know as Palau) and Guam in the west, to the Marshall islands in the East. There are 6 Island nations states within the area, the independent States of Belau and the Marshall Islands, and the four States of Yap, Chuuk, Koreas and Phonpei which collectively make up the Federated States of Micronesia.  Guam is also in this area but it is a US territory.

The first explorers from Europe were the Spanish, who discovered the islands during their voyages between their colonies in South America and the Philippines. They were followed by various other European nations who came and went but none of them really left their mark on the region.  During the late eighteen hundreds and up to the end of the Second World War, the Japanese were a major influence on the region occupying many of the islands, and many japanese workers were brought in to colonise the islands.  At the end of hostilities they were all repatriated to Japan, so returning the islands to their original native inhabitancy.

Today the island states have a very close relationship with the USA, which has developed since the Americans liberated the islands, and all the states use the US Dollar as their currency.  As a consequence of the American influence, we feel that the Micronesians are less visibly in touch with their cultural history than their Melanesian and Polynesian cousins.

The island's geography are all very similar with one main island on which most of the population live, and many other smaller outer islands, most of which are uninhabited and those that are, are often inaccessible to overseas visitors.

Regrettably, the main town areas are not so attractive, as they tend to have been developed around the islands seaport.  There has not been much attention paid to building design or quality, with a high usage of breeze blocks and corrugated roofing.  There has also been little or no attention paid to controlling building development to ensure that it complements the islands natural beauty.

Sadly as a result of this there is almost no sign of any historic buildings.

So far the island's tourism industries have not been of a high priority.   The little that there is, is based around scuba diving, as in addition to the oceans many natural offerings, there are a great number of sunken war wrecks to be seen.  This is especially eveident in Truk lagoon, in the state of Chuuk, where during an attack on the 16th and 17th of February 1944, American naval aircraft sent 42 Japanese ships to the bottom of the lagoon, where they have become home to an abundance of beautiful corals and colourful exotic fish.