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| Geography |
| The islands of 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 |
| Location: |
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: |
9 00 N, 168 00 E |
| Area: |
total: 181 sq km land: 181 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 UtirikSize comparison: about the size of Washington, DC |
| Land Boundaries: |
0 km |
| Coastline: |
370.4 km |
| Maritime claims: |
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
| Climate: |
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt |
| Terrain: |
low coral limestone and sand islands |
| Elevation extremes: |
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m |
| Natural resources: |
coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals |
| Land use: |
arable land: 11.11% permanent crops: 44.44% other: 44.45% (2005) |
| Irrigated land: |
0 sq km |
| Natural hazards: |
infrequent typhoons |
| Current Environment Issues: |
inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels |
| International Environment Agreements: |
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 |
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| People |
| Population: |
68,480 (July 2012 est.) |
| Age structure: |
0-14 years: 38.2% (male 13,062/female 12,576) 15-64 years: 58.8% (male 20,171/female 19,340) 65 years and over: 3% (male 988/female 1,045) (2011 est.) |
| Median age: |
total: 21.9 years male: 21.9 years female: 22 years (2012 est.) |
| Population growth rate: |
1.874% (2012 est.) |
| Birth rate: |
28.14 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) |
| Death rate: |
4.31 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) |
| Net migration rate: |
-5.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) |
| Sex ratio: |
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2011 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate: |
total: 22.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth: |
total population: 72.03 years male: 69.92 years female: 74.25 years (2012 est.) |
| Total fertility rate: |
3.37 children born/woman (2012 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate: |
NA |
| HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS: |
NA |
| HIV/AIDS – deaths: |
NA |
| Nationality: |
noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese |
| Ethnic groups: |
Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006) |
| 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) |
| Languages: |
Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census) note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language |
| Literacy: |
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 93.6% female: 93.7% (1999) |
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| Government |
| Country name: |
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: |
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 21 October 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004 |
| Capital: |
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: |
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: |
21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) |
| National holiday: |
|
| Constitution: |
1 May 1979 |
| Legal system: |
mixed legal system of US and English common law, customary law, and local statutes |
| Suffrage: |
18 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch: |
chief of state: President Christopher J. LOEAK (since 17 January 2012); note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Christopher J. LOEAK (since 17 January 2012) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of the legislature (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by Nitijela (legislature) from among its members for a four-year term; election last held on 3 January 2012 (next to be held in 2016) election results: Nitijela elects Christopher J. LOEAK president on 3 January 2012 |
| Legislative branch: |
unicameral legislature or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 19 November 2007 (next to be held by November 2011) election results: percent of vote by party – NA; seats by party – independents 33 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: |
Supreme Court; High Court; Traditional Rights Court |
| Political parties and leaders: |
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: |
NA |
| International organization participation: |
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO |
| Diplomatic representation in the US: |
chief of mission: Ambassador Charles R. 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: |
chief of mission: Ambassador Martha L. CAMPBELL 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 |
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| Economy |
| 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): |
GDP (purchasing power parity): $133.5 million (2008 est.) $115 million (2001 est.) note: data are in 2011 US dollars |
| GDP (official exchange rate): |
GDP (official exchange rate): $161.7 million (2008 est.) |
| GDP – real growth rate: |
-0.3% (2008 est.) 3.5% (2005 est.) |
| GDP – per capita (PPP): |
GDP – per capita (PPP): $2,500 (2008 est.) $2,900 (2005 est.) |
| GDP – composition by sector: |
agriculture: 31.7% industry: 14.9% services: 53.4% (2004 est.) |
| Labor force: |
14,680 (2000) |
| Labor force – by occupation: |
agriculture: 21.4% industry: 20.9% services: 57.7% (2000) |
| Unemployment rate: |
36% (2006 est.) 30.9% (2000 est.) |
| Population below poverty line: |
NA% |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share: |
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices): |
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.9% (2008 est.) 3% (2005 est.) |
| Budget: |
revenues: $123.3 million expenditures: $NA (2008) |
| Agriculture – products: |
coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens |
| Industries: |
copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls) |
| Industrial production growth rate: |
NA% |
| Exports: |
$19.4 million (2008 est.) $9.1 million (2000 est.) |
| Exports – commodities: |
copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish |
| Imports: |
$79.4 million (2008 est.) $54.7 million (2000 est.) |
| Imports – commodities: |
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco |
| Debt – external: |
$87 million (2008 est.) $86.5 million (FY99/00 est.) |
| Exchange rates: |
the US dollar is used |
| Fiscal year: |
1 October – 30 September |
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| Communications |
| Telephones in use: |
4,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 215 |
| Cellular Phones in use: |
3,800 (2009) |
| Telephone system: |
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: |
|
| Television broadcast stations: |
|
| Internet country code: |
.mh |
| Internet hosts: |
3 (2010) |
| Internet users: |
2,200 (2009) |
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| Transportation |
| Airports: |
15 (2012) country comparison to the world: 147 |
| Airports (paved runways): |
total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012) |
| Airports (unpaved runways): |
total: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2012) |
| Roadways: |
total: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007) |
| Merchant marine: |
total: 1,593 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 524, cargo 65, carrier 1, chemical tanker 351, container 226, liquefied gas 88, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 297, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 10 foreign-owned: 1,468 (Belgium 1, Bermuda 35, Brazil 1, Canada 8, China 14, Croatia 12, Cyprus 40, Denmark 7, Egypt 1, France 7, Germany 248, Greece 408, Hong Kong 3, India 10, Indonesia 1, Iraq 2, Ireland 6, Italy 1, Japan 59, Jersey 11, Kuwait 2, Latvia 19, Malaysia 11, Mexico 2, Monaco 30, Netherlands 21, Norway 75, Pakistan 1, Qatar 29, Romania 2, Russia 5, Singapore 30, Slovenia 6, South Korea 41, Sweden 1, Switzerland 12, Taiwan 8, Turkey 70, UAE 12, UK 12, UK 3, Ukraine 1, US 200) (2010) |
| Ports and terminals: |
Enitwetak Island, Kwajalein, Majuro |
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| Military |
| Defense is the responsibility of the US |
| Military branches: |
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 (2009) |
| Manpower available for military service: |
males age 16-49: 16,446 (2010 est.) |
| Manpower fit for military service: |
males age 16-49: 13,568 females age 16-49: 13,606 (2010 est.) |
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