This Week In Vexillology #76

Last week, we looked at the flag of Iraq- but this week, we're heading deep into the Pacific Ocean to take a look at the flag of my all-time favorite, go-to Hangman clue.  That's right, this week in vexillology, it's the Federated States of Micronesia:

Reading up on Micronesia actually sort of makes me want to go visit the place.  Get this: their unicameral Congress has 14 members elected by popular vote.  That's right.  14 members. I could get used to the idea of a Congress with only fourteen members.  After World War II, Micronesia was administered as a UN Trust Territory by the US until it entered into a compact of Free Association with the United States in 1979 and became an independent state of its own.  (Palau, The Marshall Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands did not participate.)  Thanks to the compact with the US, Micronesians can serve in the US Military without having to obtain residency or citizenship and can immigrate and work in the United States as well.

BUT:  to the flag!  Adopted on November 30, 1978 for national and civil usages, the light blue field recalls the Pacific Ocean, while the stars each represent a state/island group in the country.  (The states are:  Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap, if you were wondering.) The shade of blue recalls the flag of the United Nations as well.

Interestingly enough, a quick check of Orbitz reveals that you can, in fact, catch a flight to the Island of Yap in Micronesia from Cedar Rapids for the low low price of $2,632.   (Cedar Rapids-Minneapolis-Tokyo-Guam-Yap, 46 hours and 40 minutes total flying time.)

So there you have it, kids- the flag of Micronesia!  As always, remember until next time, keep your flags flying- FREAK or otherwise.