Front:
Federated States of
Micronesia
TON
SEP
28
1990
USAX220066
TASHING
20066
Chui Calle
FREE ASSOCIATION
DO
Back:
FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA/US
COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION
First Day of Issue: September 28, 1990
First Issue Location: Washington, D.C.
Flung across the vast sapphire Western Pacific to the
north of Australia and south of Japan, are the Federated
States of Micronesia — more than 600 islands and islets.
Like tiny ships bobbing on a vast expanse of ocean, the
area encompassed by the Federated States is mostly
saltwater; Ferdinand Magellan, sailing through their
midst in 1521, failed to spot a single island. Yet people
have inhabited these islands for as much as 3,500 years,
making their living from the sea and farming the small
portions of arable land. During World War II, the islands
were wrenched from the control of Japan by the United
States. Following the war, the area was placed under the
auspices of the United Nations Trust Territory. Today, the
Re Mathau or People of the Deep Sea claim their inde-
pendence thanks to a pact signed with the United States
in 1982. Under this agreement, called the Compact of
Free Association, the Federated States of Micronesia have
control of their own government, which came into force
with the dissolution of the Trust Territory in 1986.
No. 90-35
©1990 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation . Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
® Original painting by Chris Calle
