Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands

Introduction

Background

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

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

Map references

Oceania

Area

total: 181 sq km
country comparison to the world: 216 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 Utirik

Area – comparative

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

Environment – current issues

inadequate supplies of potable water

pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels

Environment – international 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

Geography – note

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

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)
adjective:Marshallese

Ethnic groups

Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006)

Languages

Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census)
note:English (official), widely spoken as a second language

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)

Population

67,182 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203

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: 21.8 years
male:21.8 years
female:21.8 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.954% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58

Birth rate

29.11 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Death rate

4.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201

Net migration rate

-5.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193

Urbanization

urban population: 72% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

MAJURO (capital) 30,000 (2009)

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:0.94 male(s)/female
total population:1.04 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 23.74 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 85 male:26.69 deaths/1,000 live births
female:20.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 71.76 years
country comparison to the world: 132 male:69.67 years
female:73.95 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.44 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

Health expenditures

2.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 184

Physicians density

0.559 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 122

Hospital bed density

2.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 83

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 92% of population
rural: 99% of population
total: 94% of population
unimproved:
urban: 8% of population
rural: 1% of population
total: 6% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 83% of population
rural: 53% of population
total: 73% of population
unimproved:
urban: 17% of population
rural: 47% of population
total: 27% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Education expenditures

12% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 4

Literacy

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)

total: 13 years
male:11 years
female:11 years (2003)

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 Day, 1 May (1979)

Constitution

1 May 1979

Legal system

mixed legal system of US and English common law, customary law, and local statutes

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Jurelang ZEDKAIA (since 2 November 2009)

note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Jurelang ZEDKAIA (since 2 November 2009)
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 7 January 2008 (next to be held in 2012)
election results:Litokwa TOMEING removed as president by no confidence vote on 21 October 2009

legislature elects ZEDKAIA president on 26 October 2009

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

Flag description

blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner – orange (top) and white

a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays appears on the hoist side above the two stripes

blue represents the Pacific Ocean, the orange stripe signifies the Ralik Chain or sunset and courage, while the white stripe signifies the Ratak Chain or sunrise and peace

the star symbolizes the cross of Christianity, each of the 24 rays designates one of the electoral districts in the country and the four larger rays highlight the principal cultural centers of Majuro, Jaluit, Wotje, and Ebeye

the rising diagonal band can also be interpreted as representing the equator, with the star showing the archipelago’s position just to the north

National anthem

name: “Forever Marshall Islands”
lyrics/music:Amata KABUA
note:adopted 1981

Economy

Economy – overview

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)

$133.5 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218 $115 million (2001 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$161.7 million (2008 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

-0.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191 3.5% (2005 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$2,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180 $2,900 (2005 est.)

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 31.7%
industry:14.9%
services:53.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force

14,680 (2000)
country comparison to the world: 211

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 21.4%
industry:20.9%
services:57.7% (2000)

Unemployment rate

36% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182 30.9% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Budget

revenues: $123.3 million
expenditures:$NA (2008)

Taxes and other revenues

76.3% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 3

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

NA% of GDP

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

12.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209 3% (2005 est.)

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.)
country comparison to the world: 205 $9.1 million (2000 est.)

Exports – commodities

copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish

Imports

$79.4 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213 $54.7 million (2000 est.)

Imports – commodities

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco

Debt – external

$87 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185 $86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Transportation

Airports

15 (2010)
country comparison to the world:148

Airports – with paved runways

total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m:3
914 to 1,523 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 11
914 to 1,523 m:10
under 914 m:1 (2010)

Roadways

total: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 174

Merchant marine

total: 1,381
country comparison to the world: 7 by type:barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 415, cargo 63, chemical tanker 314, combination ore/oil 2, container 206, liquefied gas 83, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 259, refrigerated cargo 14, roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 7
foreign-owned:1,284 (Australia 1, Bermuda 34, Brazil 1, Canada 4, China 16, Croatia 12, Cyprus 38, Denmark 7, Egypt 1, Germany 247, Greece 358, Hong Kong 3, India 8, Iraq 2, Isle of Man 2, Israel 1, Italy 1, Japan 41, Jersey 9, Latvia 18, Malaysia 11, Mexico 4, Monaco 21, Netherlands 16, Norway 57, Pakistan 1, Qatar 24, Romania 2, Russia 6, Singapore 28, Slovenia 6, South Korea 25, Switzerland 12, Taiwan 2, Turkey 72, UAE 17, UK 7, Ukraine 1, US 168)
note:this country allows large numbers of ships owned by foreign entities to be registered in its national shipping registry and to fly its flag

these ships operate under the laws of the flag state (2010)

Ports and terminals

Enitwetak Island, Kwajalein, Majuro

Military

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.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 653
female:631 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

NA

Military – note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

claims US territory of Wake Island