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This page was last updated on 18 December 2008


Map of Marshall Islands



Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Marshall Islands Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. The Marshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) Reagan Missile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defense network.
   Geography    Marshall Islands Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Oceania, two archipelagic island chains of 29 atolls, each made up of many small islets, and five single islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
9 00 N, 168 00 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Oceania
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 181.3 sq km
land: 181.3 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km of lagoon waters and includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
about the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
0 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
370.4 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
low coral limestone and sand islands
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 11.11%
permanent crops: 44.44%
other: 44.45% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
infrequent typhoons
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
the Marshall Islands Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein atoll, famous as a World War II battleground, surrounds the world's largest lagoon and is used as a US missile test range; the island city of Ebeye is the second largest settlement in the Marshall Islands, after the capital of Majuro, and one of the most densely populated locations in the Pacific
   People    Marshall Islands Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
63,174 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 38.5% (male 12,404/female 11,946)
15-64 years: 58.6% (male 18,937/female 18,095)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 869/female 923) (2008 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 21 years
male: 21 years
female: 20.9 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.142% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
31.52 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.57 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
-5.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 26.36 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 29.58 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 22.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 70.9 years
male: 68.88 years
female: 73.03 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3.68 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)
adjective: Marshallese
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006)
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Protestant 54.8%, Assembly of God 25.8%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, Bukot nan Jesus 2.8%, Mormon 2.1%, other Christian 3.6%, other 1%, none 1.5% (1999 census)
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census)
note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.7%
male: 93.6%
female: 93.7% (1999)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Definition Field Listing
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2003)
Education expenditures:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
11.8% of GDP (2004)
   Government    Marshall Islands Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands
conventional short form: Marshall Islands
local long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands
local short form: Marshall Islands
abbreviation: RMI
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands District
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
name: Majuro
geographic coordinates: 7 06 N, 171 23 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
1 May 1979
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
chief of state: President Litokwa TOMEING (since 7 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Litokwa TOMEING (since 7 January 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of the legislature
elections: president elected by Parliament from among its members for a four-year term; election last held 7 January 2008 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: Litokwa TOMEING elected president; TOMEING received 18 votes to 15 for incumbent Kessai Hesa NOTE
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
unicameral legislature or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 19 November 2007 (next to be held by November 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 4
note: the Council of Chiefs or Ironij is a 12-member body comprised of tribal chiefs that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Supreme Court; High Court; Traditional Rights Court
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Aelon Kein Ad Party [Michael KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
NA
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
ACP, ADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Charles A. PAUL
chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414
FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236
consulate(s) general: Honolulu
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Clyde BISHOP
embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro
mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379
telephone: [692] 247-4011
FAX: [692] 247-4012
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes
   Economy    Marshall Islands Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. The Marshall Islands received more than $1 billion in aid from the US from 1986-2002. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna 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 Amended Compact of Free Association, the US will provide millions of dollars per year to the Marshall Islands (RMI) through 2023, at which time a Trust Fund made up of US and RMI contributions will begin perpetual annual payouts. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism, and less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$115 million (2001 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field Listing
$144 million (2005)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$2,900 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 31.7%
industry: 14.9%
services: 53.4% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
14,680 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 21.4%
industry: 20.9%
services: 57.7% (2000)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
30.9% (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $42 million
expenditures: $40 million (1999)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3% (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls)
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA%
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$9.1 million f.o.b. (2000)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
US, Japan, Australia, China (2006)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$54.7 million f.o.b. (2000)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Fiji, China, Philippines (2006)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing
US dollar (USD)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
the US dollar is used
   Communications    Marshall Islands Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4,500 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
700 (2005)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: digital switching equipment; modern services include telex, cellular, Internet, international calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits
domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by high frequency radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) and mini-satellite telephones
international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein (2005)
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (additionally, the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (Central Pacific Network) operate one FM and one AM station on Kwajalein) (2005)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
2 (both are US military stations; Marshalls Broadcasting Service, a cable company, operates on Majuro) (2005)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.mh
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3 (2008)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2,200 (2006)
   Transportation    Marshall Islands Top of Page
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
15 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 1,049
by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 284, cargo 71, carrier 1, chemical tanker 191, combination ore/oil 4, container 188, liquefied gas 47, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 221, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 14, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 6
foreign-owned: 990 (Australia 1, Bermuda 4, Brazil 1, Canada 6, Chile 4, China 7, Croatia 6, Cyprus 37, Denmark 10, Germany 235, Greece 269, Hong Kong 4, Iceland 3, India 1, Ireland 1, Isle of Man 1, Italy 3, Japan 17, South Korea 10, Latvia 16, Malaysia 3, Mexico 4, Monaco 13, Netherlands 8, Norway 66, Pakistan 1, Panama 1, Romania 1, Russia 9, Saudi Arabia 5, Singapore 18, Slovenia 4, Spain 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 12, Taiwan 1, Turkey 50, UAE 15, UK 9, UK 9, US 123) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field Listing
Majuro
   Military    Marshall Islands Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
no regular military forces; under the 1983 Compact of Free Association, the US has full authority and responsibility for security and defense of the Marshall Islands; Marshall Islands Police (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 16-49: 15,708 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 16-49: 12,864 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Definition Field Listing
male: 512
female: 494 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Military - note:
Definition Field Listing
defense is the responsibility of the US
   Transnational Issues    Marshall Islands Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
claims US territory of Wake Island

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008


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