Marshall Islands

Facts & Figures

Map of the Republic of The Marshall Islands

Map of Marshall Islands

President: Christopher Loeak (2012)

Total area: 70 sq mi (181 sq km), includes the atolls of Bikini, Eniwetok, and Kwajalein

Population (2010 est.): 65,859 (growth rate: 2.0%); birth rate: 29.9/1000; infant mortality rate: 24.5/1000; life expectancy: 71.4; density per sq km: 349

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Majuro, 20,500

Monetary unit: U.S. Dollar

More Facts & Figures

Index

Marshall Islands Main Page
U.S. Nuclear Testing
Signing the Compact of Free Association and United Nations Admission
World's Largest Shark Sanctuary Declared

Geography

The Marshall Islands, east of the Carolines, are divided into two chains: the western, or Ralik, group, including the atolls Jaluit, Kwajalein, Wotho, Bikini, and Eniwetok; and the eastern, or Ratak, group, including the atolls Mili, Majuro, Maloelap, Wotje, and Likiep. The islands are of coral reef types and rise only a few feet above sea level. The Marshall Islands comprise an area slightly larger than Washington, DC.

Government

Constitutional government in free association with the U.S.

History

Micronesian peoples were the first inhabitants of the archipelago. The islands were explored by the Spanish in the 16th century and were named for a British captain in 1788. Germany unsuccessfully attempted to colonize the islands in 1885. Japan claimed them in 1914, but after several battles during World War II, the U.S. seized them from the Japanese. In 1947, the UN made the island group, along with the Mariana and Caroline archipelagos, a U.S. trust territory.