Coconut Crab
The largest land-dwelling arthropod on Earth, the coconut crab can crack open a coconut with its powerful claws and is found on many islands across Micronesia.
Flag of Micronesia
Field Report
Micronesia is a collection of more than 600 tiny islands spread across the western Pacific Ocean, roughly halfway between Hawaii and the Philippines. If you dropped all those islands onto a map of the United States, each one would look like a small dot lost in an enormous blue sea. The people of Micronesia have lived on these remote islands for thousands of years, building rich cultures, speaking dozens of different languages, and fishing the same coral reefs their ancestors have known for generations.
From the Field Notebook
Coconut Crab
The largest land-dwelling arthropod on Earth, the coconut crab can crack open a coconut with its powerful claws and is found on many islands across Micronesia.
Pohnpei Lorikeet
This bright red parrot lives only on the island of Pohnpei in Micronesia, sipping nectar from flowering trees in the lush mountain forests.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Hawksbill sea turtles glide through Micronesia's warm reef waters and have been swimming in these oceans for more than 100 million years.
Taro
Taro is a starchy root that has been grown and eaten across Micronesia for thousands of years, and islanders prepare it boiled, pounded, or baked in an underground oven called an uhmw.
Breadfruit
Breadfruit is a round, green fruit that tastes something like freshly baked bread when roasted, and it has fed Pacific island communities for generations.
Coconut Rice
Rice cooked in rich coconut milk is a common everyday dish across Micronesia, carrying a slightly sweet, creamy flavor that pairs with nearly any fish or vegetable.
Micronesia is made up of more than 600 islands scattered across a vast stretch of the Pacific Ocean that runs nearly 1,700 miles from one end of the country to the other.
The island of Yap is famous for its traditional stone money called Rai — giant limestone discs that can be taller than a person and weigh several tons.
Micronesia sits so close to the equator that it never really has a winter, and temperatures stay near 80 degrees Fahrenheit almost every single day of the year.
The Federated States of Micronesia has four official states — Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae — each with its own distinct language and culture.
Beneath the lagoon at Chuuk lies one of the world's largest underwater shipwrecks, a fleet of more than 60 Japanese ships sunk during World War II in a single battle.
Daily Life
67
Years life expectancy
85%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Micronesia is home to 25 distinct people groups — 2 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
Most Micronesia's people follow Christianity (94.9%). Evangelical Christians make up about 22.8% of the population.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
Japanese
800 people
Deaf
600 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.