Micronesia

American  

[mahy-kruh-nee-zhuh, ‑shuh] / ˌmaɪ krəˈni ʒə, ‑ʃə /

noun

1. one of the three principal divisions of Oceania, comprising the small Pacific islands north of the equator and east of the Philippines, whose main groups are the Mariana Islands, the Caroline Islands, and the Marshall Islands.

2. Federated States of Micronesia, a group of islands in the western Pacific, in the Caroline Islands, comprising the islands of Pohnpei, Truk, Yap, and Kosrae: formerly a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and now a self-governing area associated with the United States. 271 square miles (701 square kilometers).

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Micronesia British  

/ ˌmaɪkrəʊˈniːzɪə /

noun

1. one of the three divisions of islands in the Pacific (the others being Melanesia and Polynesia); the NW division of Oceania: includes the Mariana, Caroline, Marshall, and Kiribati island groups, and Nauru Island

2. an island group in the W Pacific, formerly within the United States Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands: comprises the islands of Truk, Yap, Ponape, and Kosrae: formed in 1979 when the islands became self-governing: status of free association with the US from 1982. Languages: English and Micronesian languages. Religion: Christian majority. Currency: US dollar. Capital: Palikir. Pop: 106 104 (2013 est)

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Etymology

Origin of Micronesia

C19: from _micro- + Greek nēsos island; so called from the small size of many of the islands; on the model of Polynesia

Example Sentences

Though made up of tiny islands, Micronesia’s exclusive economic zone is larger than Greenland’s because it stretches over a vast area of ocean.

From The Wall Street Journal

The US, for example, has struck a similar deal with the Pacific nations of Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands - all independent countries that give the US access to defence rights.

From BBC

Other countries have followed America’s lead—from Micronesia to Brazil to the Republic of China.

From The Wall Street Journal

One possible next step is a free association - something like the US currently has with Pacific states the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau.

From BBC

"Coconuts and coconut trees are deeply woven into the lives and livelihoods of Pacific peoples and communities, symbolizing resilience, and sustenance" said Elizabeth Terk, Micronesia conservation director for The Nature Conservancy.

From Science Daily