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He is active on 40 - 6m SSB, Digital modes.
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The Federated States of Micronesia: a welcoming and mysterious paradise
Our wonderful, cozy planet has many magical corners where, despite globalization, life will always be strikingly different from the boring everyday routine on the mainland. And the Federated States of Micronesia is one of those unusual paradises hidden on Earth, waiting for curious visitors.
Where is Micronesia hidden?
As you might guess from the name, it is indeed a tiny country, scattered in pieces across myriads of small islands. It is located in the western Pacific Ocean, in the Caroline Islands.
Strictly speaking, Micronesia is a geographical name for a part of Oceania that includes many groups of islands, including the Caroline Islands.
Meanwhile, although the FSM consists of as many as 607 islands, the total area of the country is only 702 square kilometers. This is several times smaller than Moscow, for example! And keep in mind that only 65 of them are inhabited. Moreover, the vast majority of these islands are very small in size.
A truly heavenly place
You probably already have images of Micronesia's tropical landscapes in your mind, as the country's geography suggests a similar climate. Indeed, picturesque savannas alternate here with lush evergreen forests consisting mainly of pandanus and coconut palms.
The temperature here ranges between 26° and 33°C throughout the year, so it is warm even in winter. However, it rains frequently, especially in spring. Typhoons also originate here. Yes, this is their kind of nest, from where they scatter across the Pacific Ocean. Sometimes up to 25 of them a year! It is an amazing natural phenomenon, stunning in its devastating power and grandeur. It is not surprising that before the arrival of European colonizers, the locals worshipped the god of thunder above all else.
The mysterious and kind Micronesians
And now we've started talking about the locals. They are interesting, simple, and very hospitable people. In general, there are quite a few different peoples mixed together here. In fact, each large island has its own people and its own language. But at the same time, everyone basically understands English and is quite literate.
It is curious that experts still have little idea where the Micronesian peoples came from. In terms of racial characteristics, they are close to the Polynesians. It seems that both peoples are the result of a fusion of Malay, Filipino, Indonesian, and other bloodlines. What a colorful and rich mix! Half of the ethnic composition of Micronesians is made up of Truks, followed in number by Ponapeans, Kosraians, and Yapese. The latter, by the way, are known for having created the heaviest coins on Earth in their time. The thing is, they were carved out of stone. Some of these coins reached three meters in diameter! It must not have been very convenient to have your wallet stuffed with such small change.
The locals do almost the same things they did centuries ago. They build beautiful boats, fish in the rich ocean, raise all kinds of animals, and grow bananas, coconuts, tapioca, taro, and much more.
Judging by their religion, the influence of European colonists is immediately apparent. Most of the people in FSM are Catholic, with a significant number of Protestants, as well as a few Mormons, Baptists, and representatives of other religions. But the most interesting thing is that the peoples of Micronesia remember the bizarre cults and traditions of their ancestors. For example, the Truk people will tell you that their foremother came from the mythical island of Achao, and there is also a belief that the forefathers of the Truk people descended from coconut palms. The Yapese will tell you that the world is divided into seven heavens and the earth. The creator of the universe, Enalaf, lives in the upper layer of heaven, and hurricanes live in the lower layer. If you meet someone from the Kosrae people, you will surely enjoy the pleasant custom of exchanging gifts. Here, you will be treated to a soothing drink made from a plant called kava. You can see people with traditional ritual tattoos and drawings on their bodies made with turmeric.
Monuments of another mysterious culture
The Federated States of Micronesia are interesting not only for their pleasant mild weather with sudden typhoons, not only for their gentle ocean and tropical landscapes, not only for the mystical cults and good-natured traditions of the local inhabitants, but also for various sights that cannot be missed. For example, near the island of Temwen, southeast of Pohnpei, is Nan Madol. This is the name given to the very picturesque ruins of an ancient city that stand on an artificially created archipelago. This city once served as the capital for the Sauderer dynasty that ruled here. However, the peoples of Micronesia only arrived here at the beginning of the second millennium, while the foundations of Nan Madol are much older. What these buildings were and who left them behind remains a mystery to this day. Perhaps there was an even more ancient civilization here!
That's what this country is like! Here, simplicity and hospitality are combined with mysteries, and modernity with ancient tales and beliefs.
