MOON HANDBOOKS MICRONESIA

The antithesis of the South Pacific, Micronesia lies north of the equator between Hawaii and the Philippines. It's a world class diving destination of warm coral seas and tiny tropical isles. Though joined by an unremitting ocean, the South Pacific and Micronesia are quite distinct.

Moon Handbooks Micronesia covers more of this vast region than any other guide. From the mysterious ruins of Pohnpei to Saipan's historic beaches, the islands of Micronesia offer the traveler hundreds of intriguing destinations. You get:

• Chapters on the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau
• Tips on outdoor recreation: where to surf, swim, dive, bike, camp, hike, and more
• Ecotravel information: profiles of local flora and fauna, environmental issues, and ecotour providers
• Details on wreck dive sites, archaeological ruins, and WWII relics
• Practical advice on accommodations and food for all tastes and budgets
• 70 maps, 384 pages, three years newer than the competition

Magnificent Micronesia

Strewn across thousands of square kilometers of the North Pacific Ocean, the islands of Micronesia are almost endlessly varied. They range from the sprawling atolls of the Marshalls and the Gilberts, to the steaming volcanic peaks of the Carolines, and the uplifted limestone plateaus of the Marianas. Dazzling reefs teaming with a cornucopia of marine life surround these shores, and the islands are flanked by some of the deepest depths on earth. Today these outer edges of paradise are all too vulnerable to the impact of climate change.

More than 3000 years ago Southeast Asian voyagers peopled these isolated specks of land. Two and a half millennia later, Spaniards under Magellan arrived. They stayed intermittently until the late 19th century, when German colonialists took over. The USA grabbed Micronesia's largest island, Guam, from Spain in 1898, and in 1914 Japan seized the rest of the region from Germany. The close of World War Two saw the Americans in control of almost all of Micronesia, excluding the British colonies of Kiribati and Nauru. Only over the past two decades has Micronesia attained self government.

Today tourists and travelers can island hop along Continental Air Micronesia's routes between Hawaii and Guam, or fly south on one of the shuttles from Japan to Saipan, Koror, and Guam. Honeymooners account for the bulk of the Japanese arrivals, while most North American and European visitors are scuba divers. Palau's reefs are famous around the world, while Chuuk is renowned for its sunken wrecks. Pohnpei is home to mysterious Nan Madol, while Kosrae is called the jewel of Micronesia for its unspoiled environment. A remarkable assortment of cultures and traditions has survived centuries of colonialism and consumerism, making Micronesia a truly colorful place to go.

"The perfect companion to tote when exploring
the last frontier on earth."
--Pacific Magazine   

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Explore links to Micronesia travel websites
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