Fun Easy English - Travel abroad Marshall Islands.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of the Marshall Islands

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION

The Republic of the Marshall Islands totals 70.5 square miles and is composed of two coral atoll chains in the Central Pacific. The Marshall Islands is a parliamentary democracy, and has signed a Compact of Free Association with the United States. It has a developing agrarian and service-oriented economy. Tourist facilities are not widely available, but those that exist are adequate. The capital, Majuro, has hotels. Several other atolls have limited guest quarters.

PEOPLE

The Marshall Islands is comprised of 29 atolls and five single islands, which form two parallel groups--the "Ratak" (sunrise) chain and the "Ralik"(sunset) chain. Two-thirds of the nation's population lives in Majuro and Ebeye. The outer islands are sparsely populated due to lack of employment opportunities and economic development.

The Marshallese are of Micronesian origin, which is traced to a combination of peoples who emigrated from Southeast Asia in the remote past. The matrilineal Marshallese culture revolves around a complex system of clans and lineages tied to land ownership.

Virtually all Marshallese are Christian, most of them Protestant. Other Christian denominations include Roman Catholic, Seventh-day Adventist, Mormon, Salvation Army, and Jehovah's Witness. A small Bahai community also exists.

Marshallese is the official language. English is spoken to some extent by most of the adult urban population. However, both the Nitijela (parliament) and national radio use Marshallese.

The public school system provides education through grade 12, although admission to secondary school is selective. The elementary program employs a bilingual/bicultural curriculum. English is introduced in the fourth grade. Many Marshallese and American observers have lamented the poor state of the public education system as a major stumbling block to economic development. The Marshall Islands' largest secondary institution--the 2-year College of the Marshall Islands--has experienced U.S. accreditation problems since 2003. However, thanks to an increase in funding, it has shown steady improvement since and is heading toward full accreditation. The University of the South Pacific offers courses at a small campus on Majuro.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

Visas are not required for U.S. citizens; U.S. citizens have liberal travel rights under the Compact of Free Association. There is a departure fee; diplomats are exempt. A health certificate is required if you are arriving from an area that is currently experiencing an epidemic. For visits over 30 days, an AIDS test may be required.

For further information on entry requirements for the Marshall Islands, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, at 2433 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. The telephone number is (202) 234-5414.

QUICK FACTS

Geography
Area: 181 sq. km. (about 70 sq. mi.) of land area scattered over 750,000 sq. mi. of the Western Pacific.
Cities: Capital--Majuro (pop. 25,000 in 2005). Other towns--Ebeye (12,000 in 2005), Jaluit (1,700 est. 2005).
Terrain: 29 low-lying coral atolls and five single islands.
Climate: Tropical with a wet season from May to November.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Marshallese.
Population (2005 est.): 56,417. (Figures not adjusted for migration to the U.S., where Marshallese colonies of unknown size exist.)
Annual growth rate (2004): 2.27%.
Ethnic groups: 90% Marshallese, 10% estimated U.S., Filipino, Chinese, New Zealander, Australian, other Micronesian (FSM), Kiribati, Korean, and Fijian.
Religions: Christian, mostly Protestant.
Languages: Two major Marshallese dialects from Malayo-Polynesian family; English;
Education: Literacy (2002)--98% (officially based on question, "Do you read the bible?").
Health: Infant mortality rate--(2004) 2.3%, under age 5 mortality rate 4.8%. Life expectancy--men 65.7 yrs.; women 69.4 yrs.
Work force (14,677: 66% employed, 34% unemployed): Services, including government--64%; construction and services--18%; agriculture and fishing--18%.

Government
Type: Parliamentary democracy in free association with the U.S. A Compact of Free Association entered into force in 1986 and an Amended Compact entered into force May 1, 2004.
Independence: October 21, 1986 from the U.S.-administered UN trusteeship.
Constitution: May 1, 1979.
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state), cabinet. Legislative--unicameral parliament (Nitijela) and consultative Council of Iroij (traditional leaders). Judicial--Supreme Court, high court, district and community courts, traditional rights court.
Political parties: United Democratic and Ailin Kein Ad (Our Islands).
Suffrage: Universal at age 18.
Administrative subdivisions: 24 local governments.

Economy
GDP (current market prices, 2004): $135.3 million est.
Natural resources: Marine resources, including mariculture and possible deep seabed minerals.
Agriculture: Products--Copra (dried coconut meat); taro and breadfruit are subsistence crops.
Industry: Types--Copra processing, fish processing, tourism, pearl farming, handicrafts.
Trade: Major trading partners--U.S., Japan, Australia, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Taiwan.
Official currency: U.S. dollar.

USEFUL LINKS

U.S. Government