Marshall-Islands

MARSHALL-ISLANDS

Information about travelling to Marshall-Islands

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 half way between Hawaii and Australia

Facts about Marshall-Islands
Population63,174 (July 2008 est.)
CapitalMajuro
Time zoneUTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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

General info about Marshall-Islands
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.
Languages spoken
Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census) note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language
Ethnic division
Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006)
HIV/AIDS prevalence rate
NA
Climate
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
Resources
coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals
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.
Environment
inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels

Cities in Marshall-Islands



Airports in Marshall-Islands
Amata Kabua InternationalMAJ


Beer in Marshall-Islands (0.33l)
Jabwor~ 5.6 EUR

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