Marshall Islands

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, located north of Nauru and Kiribati, east of the Federated States of Micronesia and south of the U.S. island of Wake.

Aolepān Aorōkin M̧ajeļ
Republic of the Marshall Islands

Image:Wikipedia flag republic of the marshall islands.png Coat of arms of Marshall Islands (In Detail)
image:LocationMarshallIslands.png
Official languages	Marshallese, English
Capital	Majuro
President	Kessai Note
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 187th 181 km² Negligible
Population  - Total (2003)  - Density	Ranked 186th 56,429 312/km²
Independence	October 21, 1986
Currency	US dollar
Time zone	UTC + 12
National anthem	Forever Marshall Islands
Internet TLD	.mh
Calling Code	692

History

Main article: History of the Marshall Islands While settled by Micronesians in the 2nd millennium BC, little is known of the early history of the islands. Spanish explorer Alonso de Salazar was the first European to sight the Marshalls, but the islands remained virtually unvisited for several more centuries, before being visited by English captain John Marshall in 1788; the islands owe their name to him. A German trading company settled on the islands in 1885, and they became part of the protectorate of German New Guinea some years later. Japan conquered the islands in World War I, and administered them as a League of Nations mandate. In World War II, the United States invaded the islands (1944), and they were added to the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. The U.S. started conducting nuclear tests on the islands immediately after the war, continuing until the 1960s. Many Marshallese suffered from high radiation levels because of this, and compensation claims still continue to this day. In 1979 the Republic of the Marshall Islands was established and a Compact of Free Association with the U.S. government was signed, becoming effective in 1986.

Politics

Main article: Politics of the Marshall Islands The Marshallese president is both head of state and head of government. The president, who is elected by and from the members of the Nitijela (parliament), appoints his own cabinet. Elections for the parliament, which has 33 seats, are held every four years.

Municipalities

Main article: Municipalities of the Marshall Islands Map of the Marshall Islands The Marshall Islands are divided into 24 legislative districts, which correspond to the inhabited islands and atolls of the country. See Geography.

Geography

Main article: Geography of the Marshall Islands The country consists of 29 atolls and 5 isolated islands. The most important atolls and islands form two groups: the Ratak Chain and the Ralik Chain (meaning "sunrise" and "sunset" chains). Two-thirds of the nation's population lives on Majuro (which is also the capital) and Ebeye. The outer islands are sparsely populated due to lack of employment opportunities and economic development. The climate is hot and humid, with a wet season from May to November. The islands occasionally suffer from typhoons.

• Ailinginae Atoll (uninhabited)
• Ailinglaplap Atoll (legislative district)
• Ailuk Atoll (legislative district)
• Arno (legislative district)
• Aur Atoll (legislative district)
• Bikar Atoll (or Bikaar; uninhabited)
• Bikini Atoll
• Bokak Atoll (uninhabited)
• Ebon Atoll (legislative district)
• Enewetak Atoll (legislative district)
• Erikub Atoll (uninhabited)
• Jabat Island (legislative district)
• Jaluit Atoll (legislative district)
• Jemo Island (uninhabited)
• Kili Island (legislative district)
• Kwajalein Atoll (legislative district)
• Lae Atoll (legislative district)
• Lib Island (legislative district)
• Likiep Atoll (legislative district)
• Majuro Atoll (legislative district)
• Maloelap Atoll (legislative district)
• Mejit Island (legislative district)
• Mili Atoll (legislative district)
• Nadikdik Atoll (or Knox; uninhabited)
• Namorik Atoll (or Namdrik; legislative district)
• Namu Atoll (legislative district)
• Rongelap Atoll (legislative district)
• Rongerik Atoll (uninhabited)
• Toke Atoll (uninhabited)
• Ujae Atoll (legislative district)
• Ujelang Atoll (uninhabited)
• Utirik Atoll (or Utrik; legislative district)
• Wotho Atoll (legislative district)
• Wotje Atoll (legislative district)

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Marshall Islands United States Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. Agricultural production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US provides roughly $65 million in annual aid. Negotiations were underway in 1999 for an extended agreement. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, and the decline in tourism and foreign investment due to the Asian financial difficulties caused GDP to fall in 1996-98.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the Marshall Islands The Marshallese are of Micronesian origin and migrated from Asia several thousand years ago. Although English is an official language and is spoken widely, Marshallese is used by the government. Virtually all Marshallese are Christian, most of them Protestant.

Culture

Main article: Culture of the Marshall Islands Although now in decline, the Marshallese were once able navigators, using the stars and primitive stick and shell charts. They are also experienced in canoe building,

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in the Marshall Islands
• Transportation in the Marshall Islands
• Military of the Marshall Islands
• Foreign relations of the Marshall Islands

External Links

• Yokwe Online - Everything Marshall Islands
• Marshall Islands embassy to the US - information on Marshall Islands
• CIA World Factbook - Marshall Islands
• Jane's Marshall Islands Home Page

Countries in Oceania
Australia	East Timor > Fiji	Kiribati > Marshall Islands	Federated States of Micronesia > Nauru	New Zealand > Palau	Papua New Guinea > Samoa	Solomon Islands > Tonga	Tuvalu > Vanuatu
Other political units: American Samoa	Cook Islands > Easter Island	French Polynesia > Guam	Hawaii > Maluku Islands	Midway Atoll > New Caledonia	Niue > Norfolk Island	Northern Mariana Islands > Papua (Indonesia) | Pitcairn Islands	Tokelau > Wake Island	Wallis and Futuna > West Timor

ca:Illes Marshall da:Marshalløerne de:Marshallinseln es:Islas Marshall eo:Marŝaloj he:איי מרשל fr:Marshall (pays) it:Isole Marshall nl:Marshalleilanden no:Marshalløyene ja:マーシャル諸島共和国 nds:Marshallinseln pl:Wyspy Marshalla pt:Ilhas Marshall ru:Маршалловы острова sl:Marshallovi otoki fi:Marshallinsaaret sv:Marshallöarna th:หมู่เกาะมาร์แชลล์ uk:Маршалові острови Category:Freely associated states Marshall Islands Category:Oceanic dependencies Category:Micronesia Category:Island nations

View Live Article.
This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under GNU FDL