Military - note:
Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a sovereign, self-governing
state in free association with the US; FSM is totally dependent on
the US for its defense
Transnational Issues Micronesia, Federated States of
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Midway Islands
Introduction Midway Islands
Background:
The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of
the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought
the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used
as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory
over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning
points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval
station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a national
wildlife refuge. From 1996 to 2001 the refuge was open to the
public. It is now temporarily closed.
Geography Midway Islands
Location:
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the
way from Honolulu to Tokyo