Marshall Islands
Official Country Name
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands Overview
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.
Marshall Islands Economy
US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. 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.
Marshall Islands Location
Marshall Islands is located in 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 one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Region
Marshall Islands is located in Oceania
Marshall Islands Population
Marshall Islands has population of 60,422 (July 2006 est.)
Marshall Islands Climate
Marshall Islands has tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
Marshall Islands Terrain
low coral limestone and sand islands
Marshall Islands Natural Resources
coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals
Ethnic Groups in Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands has the following ethnic groups - Micronesian
Marshall Islands Religions
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)
Marshall Islands Languages
Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census) note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language
Marshall Islands Capital
Marshall Islands capital is Majuro
Marshall Islands Currency
Marshall Islands currency is US dollar
Map of Marshall Islands
