Country Reports

Country name

Republic of The Marshall Islands

Government type

Constitutional Government (a mixed parliamentary-presidential system, which includes a head of state; the President, who is also the head of government, and a bicameral Parliament; the Council of Iroij (The Upper House) and Nitijela (The Elected Lower House). The Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004

Administration

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

Capital

Majuro (located on the island Majuro)

Independence Day

21 October 1986 (From the US-administered UN trusteeship. The Compact of Free Association, after several mutually agreed amendments, came into operation, and the islands became self-governing).

National holiday

Constitution Day, 1 May (1979). Marshall Islands District drafted and approved a constitution, which was recognized by the United States. Amata Kabua, who held the traditional position of High Chief, was elected as the first president.

Area

181 sq km (70 sq miles)

Location

Oceania, just north of equator. Marshall Islands consists 2 archipelagic island chains of 29 atolls and 1,152 islands, 5 of which are major islands in the North Pacific Ocean, extending over a sea area exceeding 1,942,500 sq km (750,000 sq mi).

Land Borders

0

Coastline

370.4 km

Population

54,400 (UN, 2010)

Nationality

Marshallese (singularis and pluralis) 

Languages

Marshallese, English

Composition of population

Marshallese 92.1%, others

Major religion

Christianity

Highest peak

Unnamed, on Likiep 10 m

Climate

Tropical; hot and humid. May to November; wet season (islands border typhoon belt)

Time zone

UTC+12

Currency

1 US dollar = 100 cents

Telephone

+692

Internet domain

.mh

GNI per capita:

US $3,910 (World Bank, 2011)

Natural resources

Coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals

Agriculture products:

Food crops; bananas, breadfruit, pandanus, taro, vegetables, and tropical fruits. Livestock is mostly poultry and pigs, with some cattle.

Industries

Chilled and frozen fish, shark fins (fish exports appear substantial and fast-growing), coconut oil, copra cake, handicrafts