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Sponsored LinksTravel reviews & great deals at TripAdvisor: Marshall IslandsMarshall Islands, officially Republic of the Marshall Islands, independent nation (2005 est. pop. 59,000), in the central Pacific. The Marshalls extend over a 700-mi (1,130-km) area and comprise two major groups: the Ratak Chain in the east, and the Ralik Chain in the west, with a total of 34 atolls, c.900 reefs, and a land area of 70 sq mi (181 sq km). The major atolls are Majuro, the capital; Arno; Ailinglaplap; Jaluit, with a fine natural harbor, the archipelago's chief trade center; and Kwajalein, the largest atoll and site of a U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile test range. The population of the Marshalls is largely Micronesian and Christian (mainly Protestant). English is the official language; two native dialects of Marshallese, a Malayo-Polynesian tongue, and Japanese are also spoken. The chief industries are agriculture, fishing, and tourism; copra, sugar, and handicrafts are the major exports. A large portion of the Marshallese economy is dependent on U.S. aid. Sections in this article: The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. More on Marshall Islands from Infoplease:
- Marshall Islands - Map of Marshall Islands & articles on flags, geography, history, statistics, disasters current events, and international relations.
- Marshall Islands - Information on Marshall Islands — geography, history, politics, government, economy, population statistics, culture, religion, languages, largest cities, as well as a map and the national flag.
- Marshall Islands - Marshall Islands Profile: Geography and People, History, Government, Political Conditions, Economy, Foreign Relations, U.S.-Marshallese Relations
- Marshall Islands: Bibliography - Bibliography See E. H. Bryan, Life in the Marshall Islands (1972).
- Marshall Islands: History - History Some of the islands were visited by Spanish explorers in the early 16th cent. They are ...
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