The Federated States of Micronesia is an independent sovereign island nation (with 607 islands), and an 'associated state' of the United States. It is one of only 15 countries with no official military forces. The GDP per capita is $2,300 versus $62,000 for the US. Historically, it was controlled/protected/used by Spain (1887-1899), The German Empire (1899-1918), The Empire of Japan (1919-1947) and then the US until independence in 1986 under a compact of free association. Spain had sold the territory to the Germans after losing the Spanish-American war which bookended their global power. World War I gave the mandate to Japan. World War II to the US. The free association with the US allows Micronesians to join the US military, and to immigrate to and work in the US. Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing.
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