Although there are 22 small island countries and territories within the Pacific region, this report focuses mainly on the following 14 independent states: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.ountry Report: Pacific Islands Countries 2 Acknowledgements: This report was prepared in view of the Asia Pacific Children and AIDS consultations, Hanoi, Vietnam from 22 to 24 March 2006.
The winter melon, also called ash gourd, white gourd, winter gourd, tallow gourd, and Chinese preserving melon is a vine grown for its very large fruit, eaten as a vegetable when mature. It is the only member of the genus Benincasa. The fruit is fuzzy when young.
Winter squash is a catchall phrase used to refer to several types of gourds that are harvested after they have fully matured. Ripe winter squash has a hard skin that protects it and usually allows it to be stored for up to six months with no ill effects. Popular varieties include pumpkin, acorn squash, butternut squash, hubbard squash, and turban squash. Pumpkins are some of the most easily recognizable types of winter squash.