Must-Sees Micronesia
To get to Micronesia, you have to go east of the Philippines and north of Papua New Guinea. Micronesia's islands, divided into several States, are little pieces of paradise tucked away in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Traditions with diverse influences and remains from the Second World War contribute to a rich heritage at a crossroads between maritime routes and cultures.
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Essential Micronesia
Made up of hundreds of often-forgotten islands dotted around the ocean, Micronesia is sometimes less familiar than its faraway neighbours like Hawaii and Polynesia. However, its arts and traditions reflect a culture that is just as interesting. Here are other things you should know about these Pacific islands.
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Explore Micronesia
Must-Sees Micronesia
To get to Micronesia, you have to go east of the Philippines and north of Papua New Guinea. Micronesia's islands, divided into several States, are little pieces of paradise tucked away in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Traditions with diverse influences and remains from the Second World War contribute to a rich heritage at a crossroads between maritime routes and cultures.
Visit Guam Island
Discovered by Magellan in 1521, Guam Island was claimed by the Spanish from 1565. In Agana, the main town in the Micronesia archipelago, a few buildings and landmarks like Nuestra Senora de la Soledad fort and Skinner's Plaza continue to reflect this colonial past. The biggest of Micronesia's islands now has US administration. Appreciated for its long beaches and their clear waters, the island is also the birthplace of the Chamorro civilisation. These people were here well before the Europeans arrived. They are artisans famous notably for coloured-mat weaving.
Dive to see wrecks in Chuuk Lagoon
Considered to be one of the best dive spots in the world, Chuuk Lagoon is mainly famous for its veritable underwater museum of wrecks. No fewer than a hundred vessels, tankers, submarines and planes from the Second World War evoke the conflict fought by Japan and the United States in the Pacific. They are easily accessible from 15 to 40 metres deep in especially sheltered waters. You can see a range of items from arms to tableware that were being carried in these vessels before they sank. Over the years, the wrecks have become like artificial reefs as coral has grown on them and fauna have moved in.
Marvel at little-known islands - Caroline Islands and Yap
Pulap, Satawal, Gaferut… These three isolated atolls provide an opportunity for idyllic sailing between splendid islands as well as surprising discoveries. A range of wrecks dating from the Second World War delights divers. The coast alternates between fine-sand beaches and mangroves. The few villagers give visitors a warm welcome and share their traditions, especially via dance demonstrations. The Satawal Atoll is also known for inhabitant's navigation skills based on knowledge of astronomy.
Essential Micronesia
Made up of hundreds of often-forgotten islands dotted around the ocean, Micronesia is sometimes less familiar than its faraway neighbours like Hawaii and Polynesia. However, its arts and traditions reflect a culture that is just as interesting. Here are other things you should know about these Pacific islands.
Top tips
Dos. The Micronesians love their traditions and looking after the environment. They are committed to protecting the ocean. Visitors are therefore expected to behave beautifully on the beach and when diving.
Don'ts. It is considered shocking to show your thighs if not on the beach, whether you are male or female. Instead, wear clothes that come down below the knee.
Unique features
Latte stones are symbols of the Mariana Islands and Guam. In the Chamorro language (Chamorro is Micronesia's age-old civilisation), "latte" means stone pillars topped with round capitals. These are used as the basis for Chamorro construction. They are so culturally important that they are on the Northern Mariana Islands' flag and Guam's coins.
Essential phrases
Although many native tongues are spoken on Micronesia's different islands, English is still the official language.
Gastronomy
Traditional Micronesian cuisine is pretty simple. People are happy with grilled fish, mangrove crabs, plantain, breadfruit and yams. On some islands, you can see the Japanese influence in the form of raw tuna.
In the spotlight
An archipelago of 500 islands that are part of the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau (or Palaos) was the first country in the world to ban certain sun creams on 1 January 2020 because it judges some of their ingredients to be a danger to the coral and sea bed. Only sun creams that say "reef-safe" are now allowed. By doing this, the archipelago is trying to protect a world-famous marine ecosystem. Anyone flouting this law will have their cream confiscated and be liable for prosecution.
Culture
Books. Jean-Edouard Carlier is a Parisian gallery owner who is passionate about Oceanian art. In 2007, he published Micronésie et Para-micronésie (Micronesia and Para-Micronesia): a book in which he pays tribute to a region "which has produced the most perfect works despite only having extremely limited natural resources", he writes.
Music. Dance and song are especially important in Micronesia. Every archipelago has its own language and traditions, which are mainly passed on orally.
Facts and figures
607Some 607 islands spread across 2,860 km make up the Federated States of Micronesia.
