Affinity Bloc: Pacific Islanders

Overview: Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania, comprising thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is distinct from Melanesia to the south, Polynesia to the east, the Philippines to the west, and Indonesia to the southwest. The name Micronesia is a compound of two Greek words that literally mean small islands. The Micronesian people cluster encompasses numerous small people groups, most of which are native to small, isolated islands and speak unique though linguistically related languages. The one commonality shared by most of these peoples is at least a nominal Christian faith, tracing to extensive Roman Catholic missionary activity in the 17th and 18th centuries followed by Protestant missionary activity throughout the 19th century.

Peoples within this cluster: Carolinian; Chamorro; Guam, English-Speaking; Kapingamarangian; Kiribertese; Kosraen; Marshallese; Mokilese; Mortlockese; Namonuito; Nauruan; Nukoro; Paafang; Palauan; Pingilapese; Ponapean; Puluwat; Satawalese; Sonsorol; Tobian; Trukese; Ulithian; Woleaian; Yapese

Countries where they are found: Fiji; Guam; Kiribati; Marshall Islands; Micronesia; Nauru; Northern Mariana Islands; Palau; Solomon Islands; Tuvalu; United States; Vanuatu