Marshall Islands! Information about the Marshall Islands

General information

Official name - Republic of the Marshall Islands... Pacific state located in. The area is 181 km 2. Population - 56 429 people. (for 2008). State language - Marshall, English. The capital is Majuro. The monetary unit is the dollar.

A state located on the islands of the Marshall Islands archipelago ( Northern part Pacific). It borders in the west and south-west with the territorial waters of the Federated States of Micronesia, in the south with the territorial waters, in the rest of them - with the neutral waters of the Pacific Ocean. Length coastline 370.4 km.

The climate of the islands is tropical, trade wind-monsoon, average temperatures are within + 26 + 33 ° С. Annual precipitation is about 1,800 mm, sometimes droughts are observed.

Story

The atolls of the Marshall Islands began to be populated about 2000 years ago. Before the arrival of Europeans, society was divided into groups. The social organization was built on the basis of land ownership. Settlements consisted of several clans, clans were divided into clans, representing a group of people with a common ancestor and built on the basis of a matrilineal system in which all rights to land were transferred through the maternal line.

The first atoll of the Marshall Islands, Bocak, was discovered on August 21, 1526. Spanish navigator Toribio Alonso de Salazarem, captain of the only surviving vessel of the expedition, which initially included 7 ships. Seven more islands were discovered during the two expeditions of lvaro de Saavedra Serona in 1527 and 1529. A number of islands were discovered by the Spaniards in the middle of the 16th century, and in 1686 they annexed (forcibly annexed to their territory) the Marshall Islands, but no trading posts or colonial administrative apparatus were established in the archipelago.

For a century the islands were isolated from the world, only in 1776 a British ship sailed past the atolls of Rongerik and Rongelap. It was the British, and specifically John Marshall, who, together with Thomas Gilbert in 1788, re-discovered the archipelago, gave it its name. Subsequently, many British merchant ships continued to make geographical discoveries, sailed past the archipelago, giving its islands names.

The first scientific studies of the Marshall Islands were carried out by the Russian scientist Otto Evstafievich Kotzebue in 1817 and 1824-1825. During his expedition, valuable data were collected, including a description of the life, life and traditions of the Marshalls. During the research, the locals did not show any hostility, willingly engaging in barter with foreigners.

In the 1820s, the Marshall Islands became a haven for whalers, whose ships resupplied fresh water and food on the islands of the archipelago. With their appearance, acts of violence against local residents became frequent, who, in turn, robbed ships and killed crew members. Around the same time, "blackbird hunters" appeared, recruiting cheap labor to work on the plantations.

The second half of the 19th century was a period of active missionary activity, which significantly changed the life of the Marshalls. Although the language and basic elements of culture continued to exist, the religious views of the islanders changed: having adopted Christianity, they stopped worshiping numerous spirits and deities.

In the second half of the 19th century on Marshall Islands there were economic relations with elements of capitalism. In the 1880s, the German Empire emerged in the region, whose advance was facilitated by the presence of German merchants on many of the islands. In 1885, thanks to papal mediation and compensation from Spain in the amount of 4.5 million dollars, the Marshall Islands became a protectorate of the German Empire, and in 1906 the German government established direct control over them.

In 1914, who considered it possible to seize the colonies in Micronesia, occupied the atolls of Eniwetok and Jaluit. On June 28, 1919, Germany renounced all of its Pacific possessions, including the Marshall Islands, and on December 17, 1920, the Council of the League of Nations approved Japan's mandate over the former German colonies in the Pacific. The management of the islands during the Japanese period was quite effective: the administrative apparatus expanded, local leaders were appointed by Japan, which reduced the authority of traditional leaders. The Japaneseization of the population was also carried out through the education system.

In 1933, Japan was expelled from the League of Nations, but nevertheless continued to rule the Marshall Islands. During World War II, they became an important geographic point, being the westernmost point in Japan's defensive ring.

By the end of World War II, the United States had captured all of the islands of Micronesia that had previously belonged to Japan, and soon began testing atomic weapons on the archipelago. The first of these occurred in 1946, although at that time the Marshall Islands were not yet officially a territory or colony of the United States. The management of the islands was agreed only in 1947.

The Americans continued their experiments, dangerous for the locals. So, on the Kwajalein Atoll, a strategic military base States, from where nuclear weapons tests were carried out on the islands of Bikini and Eniwetok, which were carried out from 1946 to 1958. The inhabitants of these atolls were evacuated, but the Marshalls of the neighboring islands were and are still being negatively affected by these tests: many islanders suffer from cancers caused by radiation. In 1952, the first ever hydrogen bomb was detonated on Eniwetok, and in 1954 - the largest ever detonated by the United States: it is believed that it is equivalent to 1000 bombs dropped on Hiroshima, and due to the radiation caused by the inhabitants of the nearby islands were evacuated.

In 1979, the archipelago received limited autonomy, and in 1986 a Free Association Treaty was signed with the United States, according to which the independence of the Republic of the Marshall Islands was recognized, however, the US military retained the right to be in the country. All military bases were also preserved. In 1990, the UN recognized the independence of the Marshall Islands. The association agreement expired in 2001 but was renewed after two years of negotiations.

Marshall Islands landmarks

Majuro- the capital of the Marshall Islands, which belong to the United States of America. Majuro is the largest atoll of these islands, so it is considered not only the capital, but also the economic and cultural center Marshall Islands.

Laura Village- a village in which traditions and customs have been preserved to this day, which had just begun to emerge two, or even three thousand years ago. In this village you can see many interesting Aboriginal buildings, as well as get acquainted with the traditions and customs of the inhabitants of this village. It is also allowed to take pictures there.

Alele Museum- the first attraction, although it is not large in size, it is very rich in household items of ancient civilizations living on this atoll and on the Marshall Islands in general. This museum contains more than three thousand different artifacts found in the Marshall Islands. It is also worth recalling that the Alele Museum was founded in one thousand nine hundred and seventh year and to this day this magnificent museum is replenished with various finds.

Also near the Laura Village is the airport and the magnificent beach. Walking along the beach, you will feel a charge of positive energy.

Near the village of Laura Village you can see Memorial Majuro Peace Park delivered to all soldiers who fell in fierce battles during World War II.

Kwajalein- the largest coral atoll in the region, consisting of 97 islands with a total area of ​​16.4 km 2, forming an extremely narrow strip of land (120 meters at its widest part) around a huge lagoon (water surface area about 2850 km 2). Kwajalein Lagoon, often referred to as the "arm of the world's largest catcher," is the target and landing point for US ICBMs launched from Vanderberg Air Force Base in California. The tests most often take place at night, illuminating the sky with fireworks and whole cascades of explosions and attracting a considerable number of tourists.

Located approximately 25 km southeast of Majuro and Arno, atoll Miles is considered the second largest of the Marshall Islands: its 84 islets occupy a total area of ​​14.9 km 2, and the almost completely closed central lagoon - 763 km 2.

Mili Atoll is one of Japan's main bases in World War II, Mili has many abandoned weapons, and the skeletons of warplanes and defenses are still scattered throughout the area. The main village of Mili Mili atoll contains more than six dozen different military relics on its territory. Since local law does not allow the export of anything that is "the right of this land", then here you can see and extensive system Japanese bunkers, and dilapidated artillery positions, and even two irreconcilable enemies: the American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber and the Japanese A6M5 Zero fighter, whose remains are still very close.

An almost rectangular atoll Vautier consists of 75 islets and is known as the "garden center of the Marshall Islands" for its lush rainforest. Huge structures and artillery positions built by the Japanese during the defense of the islands during the Second World War, as well as the base of flying boats N8K "Emily", capable of "reaching" from here right up to Hawaiian island Oahu, led to the fierce bombing of Vautier by the US Navy. Some structures of that time, barely looming from under the dense cover of the jungle, can be found on the atoll today.

Secluded coral island Mejit located east of the main line of the Rataka chain, about 85 km northeast of Vautier Atoll. Covering an area of ​​only 1.86 km 2 and inhabited by 450 inhabitants, it is one of the smallest land areas in the Marshall Islands. This is a very beautiful islet, all covered with lush taro thickets and teeming with coconut palms, breadfruit and pandanus. Mejit is not protected by a lagoon, so fishing and unloading boats can be quite risky here, especially in November and December when the winds are strong. But Medzhit has little freshwater lake(a rarity in this area), which makes it a truly unique and strikingly colorful place.

Marshall Islands Cuisine

The Marshall Islands were greatly influenced by Chinese, Korean, Indian cuisines, as well as European traditions brought by numerous conquerors from Spain, Germany and Japan.

The main products in the life of the islanders are fish and seafood. Among the many types of fish, tuna is preferred, and seafood is most represented by squid, crabs and lobsters. An old way of cooking is baking in banana leaves.

Despite the limited area of ​​agricultural land and low soil fertility, such vegetable crops as arrowroot, breadfruit, taro, pandanus, cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, peppers, pumpkin and eggplants are successfully grown in the country. Fruits include coconuts, pineapples, papaya, bananas and avocados.

Meat is consumed a little, mainly wild and domestic birds, as well as pork and imported canned meat. It is fried or stewed with vegetables and spices, served with various sauces and rice.

Some of the most famous dishes in the Marshall Islands include charcoal baked cod in banana leaves, Indian fried Jakarta chicken, fried banana and sweet potato salad, Limas barbecue with beans and beef sausage. Various desserts are very popular in the country, almost all of which contain grated coconut or coconut milk.

There are great difficulties with fresh drinking water on the islands. Therefore, most soft drinks are juices or imported products. The traditional drink made from coconut milk is gradually being replaced by coffee and various sodas.

Almost all alcoholic drinks on the islands are imported from abroad. Some locals make Jimanun for their own consumption - a low-alcohol drink obtained from the fermentation of coconut milk and yeast.

Marshall Islands on the map

Marshall Islands or Republic of the Marshall Islands- a Pacific state in Micronesia. It borders in the west and south-west with the territorial waters of the Federated States of Micronesia, in the south with the territorial waters of Kiribati, and in the rest - with the neutral waters of the Pacific Ocean. The total land area is 181.3 km²; the territory occupied by lagoons - 11 673 km². The capital is Majuro.

The Marshall Islands are a cluster of atolls (29) and islands (5) located in the Pacific Ocean slightly north of the equator and divided into two groups (chains): Ratak and Ralik.

Both chains are about 250 km apart and stretch from northwest to southeast for about 1200 km. The most important islands are the Kwajalein and Majuro atolls. The largest island in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Kwajalein is also an atoll with the largest lagoon in the world. Despite the fact that its land area is only 16.32 km² (or 6.3 sq. Miles), the area of ​​the lagoon is 2,174 km² (or 839.3 sq. Miles). Highest point the country, which reaches only 10 m, is located on the Likiep atoll.

The Marshall Islands has 80 plant species, of which one is endemic to the archipelago. Only a few uninhabited islands of the archipelago have preserved forests with typical atoll vegetation. In the rest of the island ecosystems have undergone significant changes under the influence of man: most of the local flora was destroyed, and instead of indigenous plants, plantations of coconut palm (covering about 60% of the archipelago's land), breadfruit and bananas were planted.

From 1946 to the 1960s, nuclear weapons were tested by the Americans at Bikini and Eniwetok. In 1954, the USA, codenamed "Bravo", tested their first hydrogen bomb on Bikini Atoll. The explosion in its power was 1000 times higher than the explosion in Hiroshima, and radioactive fallout from it fell on neighboring islands... The nuclear tests have caused enormous damage to the ecosystems of the islands.

The most important representatives of the local fauna are turtles and seabirds. On many northern islands, Bikar, Bokak, Bikini, green turtles lay eggs, but the previously widespread Bissa sea turtle has become rare in local waters. Many of the Marshall Islands are large bird colonies where seabirds (106 species in total) nest. The coastal waters of the islands are very rich in fish (about 250 species) and corals (about 146 species).

There are no nature reserves or protected areas in the country.

Climate in the Marshall Islands

Distinctive feature Marshall Islands climate change climatic conditions from north to south, including an increase in the amount of precipitation in this direction. The northern islands of the country have a tropical, semi-arid climate. For example, in the northernmost atoll, Bocaca, it is practically semi-desert. Rainfall in the Marshall Islands increases as you move south and reaches its maximum in Ebon Atoll, the most south island country located in the equatorial belt.

Another important climatic feature of the local climate is the location of the Marshall Islands in the northeastern trade winds. For most of the year, the islands are dominated by winds blowing from the northeast. They are characterized by high humidity. Showers are frequent on almost all islands (except for the northernmost).

Typical, albeit rare, of the archipelago are tropical storms and hurricanes, or typhoons, during which there is a large amount of precipitation. strong winds breaking trees and destroying houses; and high waves that threaten to wash away low-lying islets. Droughts happen. El Niño is the most common cause of climatic disasters.

The monthly rainfall in the Marshall Islands is around 300-380 mm. On the northern islands of the country, annually from 1000 to 1750 mm of precipitation falls, on the southern ones - 3000-4300 mm. On the northern islands, the heaviest rains occur from September to November, while on the southern ones they fall all year round.

The temperature regime on the archipelago remains constant throughout the year. The difference between the coldest and the coldest warm month is 1-2 ° C. The lowest nighttime temperatures are usually 2-4 degrees higher than the lowest daytime temperatures. The average annual temperature is 27.8 ° C.

Population

Population of the Marshall Islands- about 54,600 people (2011).

The average life expectancy for men is 65.7 years, for women - 69.4 years.

The majority of the population are Marshalls. This Micronesian people is divided into two ethnographic groups: Raylik and Rakhtak (in geography in a slightly different pronunciation: Ralik and Ratak, as the country's two island chains are called).

The share of foreigners living in the country is only 2.3%: this is the lowest after the Northern Mariana Islands rate among the Pacific states. Largest non-Marshall ethnic group is the Kosrae people from the island of Kusai in the Caroline Islands. The Marshall Islands are also home to a small group of Americans and Filipinos.

The official languages ​​are English and Marshall (refers to Micronesian languages).

The dominant religion in the Marshall Islands is Christianity, spread across the archipelago by missionaries in the 19th century.

In 2008, the share of Protestants (Congregationalists of the Church of Christ) was 54.8%, followers of the Assembly of God - 25.8%, Catholics - 8.4%, Mormons - 2.1%.

About money

Monetary unit of the Marshall Islands - U.S. dollar($, US $, USD) equal to 100 cents.

In circulation there are bills in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars, as well as coins: penny (1 cent), nickel (5 cents), dime (10 cents), quarter (25 cents), half dollar (50 cents) and 1 dollar.

Banks are located in almost all major tourist areas, their operating time is very different in each case. You can exchange currency at bank offices and specialized exchange offices.

Credit cards quite limited in use, although most of the central offices of banks carry out all types of transactions with them. Travel checks can be cashed at Majuro and Kwajalein banks.

Communication and communications

Phone code: 692

Internet Domain: .mh

How to call

To call from Russia to the Marshall Islands, you need to dial: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 696 - subscriber's number.

To call from the Marshall Islands to Russia, you need to dial: 011 - 7 - area code - subscriber number.

Fixed connection

There is a landline telephone service in the atolls of Majuro, Ebeye and Kwajalein. Payphones are located near the largest public institutions and retail outlets and work with prepaid cards. Calling special services phones (usually starting with 800 or 888) is free from any phone on the island.

The rest of the islands have developed satellite or radio communications. Access to international lines from here is possible only through an operator, and communication with domestic atolls is charged as long-distance.

mobile connection

The islands are served by US cellular operators and operate according to their standards and tariff plans. Coverage is limited to inner group atolls.

Internet

On the larger islands, you can find a few internet cafes. Internet cafes usually work on weekdays from 9.00 to 17.00, on Saturdays - from 9.00 to 12.00, access points in the lobby of large hotels are open around the clock.

Shopping

What to bring from the Marshall Islands: Various mats, traditional clothes and bags made from pandanus leaves, coconut trees and hibiscus.

On the island of Kili, people from the Bikini Atoll weave beautiful handbags and wallets, and Likiep is famous for its fans.

Bargaining is not customary in the Marshall Islands.

Typical business hours are Monday through Friday, 08.00 to 12.00 and 13.30 to 17.00, Saturdays from 08.00 to 13.00, but many private shops operate on their own schedule. Almost all shops are closed on Sundays, so you should buy essential items in advance.

Sea and beaches

Like the entire territory of the islands, the beaches of the resorts are private territory, and access to them, in principle, is limited, although if you wish, you can easily negotiate with the hotel administration for a very nominal fee. The same permission - paid or a simple verbal agreement - may be required when using community beaches, paths, coastal sections, and so on, so it is best to check these points on the spot with the hotel staff or the islanders themselves.

Story

O early history Very little is known about the Marshall Islands. Presumably, the islands were inhabited about 2000 years ago by immigrants from Southeast Asia.

The first island seen by Europeans was the Bocac Atoll, discovered by the Spanish navigator Alonso de Salazar in 1526. However, the archipelago remained unnamed until 1788, when the islands were rediscovered by British captain John Marshall, after whom they were named. Subsequently, ships of many states sailed past the Marshall Islands, but none of them submitted territorial claims for the purpose of annexation. In the 1860s, the first immigrants from Germany began to appear on the islands. During these years, German trading companies developed a whole network of copra and other goods. In 1885, the archipelago was annexed by the German Empire, despite claims from Spain.

During the First World War, in September 1914, Japan occupied part of Micronesia that belonged to Germany, including the Marshall Islands. Since then, the islands remained under Japanese control until the American occupation of the archipelago during World War II. After the short-term occupation of the islands by the US Army, the UN entrusted the administration of the Marshall Islands to the United States as the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

Soon, a strategic US military base appeared on Kwajalein Atoll, from where nuclear weapons tests were carried out, which were carried out from 1946 to 1958. From a military point of view, the islands occupied a very advantageous position: small population, huge bodies of water, which made it possible to observe the effect of radiation, and remoteness from the largest settlements in the United States. The inhabitants of the atolls where the tests took place were evacuated, but the Marshalls of the neighboring islands were and are still being negatively affected by these tests: many islanders suffer from cancers caused by radiation.

In 1952, the first hydrogen bomb in the history of mankind was detonated on Eniwetok, and in 1954, on the Bikini Atoll, the largest ever detonated by the United States (it is believed that it was equivalent to 1000 bombs dropped on Hiroshima, and due to the caused radiation there were residents and military personnel were evacuated from the islands of Rongelap, Rongerik, Utirik and Ailinginae). The Reagan Proving Grounds have operated on Kwajalein Atoll since 1959.

In 1979, the archipelago received limited autonomy, and in 1986, the Free Association Treaty was signed with the United States, according to which the United States recognized the independence of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic, in turn, provided the United States military with the right to be located in the country; all military bases were also preserved. The country's defense became the responsibility of the United States. In 1990, the independence of the Marshall Islands was recognized by the UN.

The association agreement expired in September 2001. After two years of negotiations, in 2003, the contract was renewed.

Helpful information

Alcohol consumption is practically prohibited on some of the islands. Alcoholic drinks on Sundays are not sold anywhere except in hotels, and even then only to their guests and guests. It is also not customary to drink alcoholic drinks in the open, regardless of the day of the week.

All tap water in the country is obtained by desalting seawater and collecting precipitation, therefore, within settlements practically safe for consumption. Still, it is recommended to use bottled water for drinking.

Despite the statement by the US administration about the radiation safety of the islands, prolonged stays in the area of ​​the Bikini and Kwajalein atolls should be avoided.

Best time to visit the Marshall Islands - from May to October, when the temperature is mostly constant and the sea water is most calm.

How to get to the Marshall Islands

There is no direct flight between Russia and the Marshall Islands.

The Marshall Islands are connected by direct flights to Guam and Honolulu (Hawaii, USA), and there are also flights to the Caroline Islands (Chuuk Islands).

Majuro International Airport(MAJ) is located on the atoll of the same name. Flights from Honolulu and Guam are operated by Continental Airlines. Estimated flight time to Majuro: from Guam - 8:50, from Honolulu - 5:10, from the Chuuk Islands - 6:25.

Republic of the Marshall Islands- a Pacific state in Micronesia. It borders in the west and south-west with the territorial waters of the Federated States of Micronesia, in the south with the territorial waters of Kiribati, in the rest - with the neutral waters of the Pacific Ocean. The length of the coastal strip is 370.4 km. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is located on 29 atolls and 5 islands of the Marshall Islands archipelago, which consists of the Ralik and Ratak chains. The total land area is 181.3 km²; the territory occupied by lagoons - 11 673 km ². The population of the Marshall Islands is 63,174 people. (2008, estimate). The capital is Majuro.

The first island seen by Europeans was the Bocac Atoll, discovered by the Spanish navigator Alonso de Salazar in 1526. Subsequently, the Marshall Islands alternately became the territory of different colonial powers: in 1886 - Germany, in 1914 - Japan, which continued to rule the islands after the First World War already under the mandate of the League of Nations, in 1947 - included in the United Nations Trust Territory under US control. As a state formation, the Marshall Islands emerged in 1983 as a result of the division of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Since 1986, the Islands have been in "free association" with the United States. The Marshall Islands is a member of the United Nations, the South Pacific Commission and the Pacific Islands Forum.

Name

The Marshall Islands are named after British Captain John Marshall (also known as William Marshall), who, along with fellow Captain Thomas Gilbert, after whom the neighboring Gilbert Islands are named, explored the archipelago in 1788 while transporting prisoners to New South Wales.

Republic of the Marshall Islands
Aolepān Aorōkin M̧ajeļ(march.) ((English))
Motto: "Jepilpilin ke ejukaan ( Reaching through common effort , Marshall) "
Hymn: Forever Marshall Islands
Independence date	October 21, 1986 (from)
official languages	Marshall, English
Capital
Largest cities
Form of government
The president	Hilda Hine
Territory	213rd in the world
Total	181 km²
Population
Assessment (2011)	53,158 people (212th)
Density	293.7 people / km²
Gdp
Total (2001)	$ 115 million (220th)
Per capita	1600 USD
Currency	U.S. dollar (USD, code 840)
Internet domain	.mh
ISO Code	MH
IOC code	MHL
Telephone code	+692
Time Zones	+12

Republic of the Marshall Islands(march.Aolepān Aorōkin M̧ajeļ, eng. Republic of the Marshall Islands) - a Pacific state in, associated with. It borders on the territorial waters in the west and south-west, on the territorial waters in the south, in the rest - on the neutral waters of the Pacific Ocean. The length of the coastal strip is 370.4 km. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is located on 29 atolls and 5 islands of the Marshall Islands archipelago, which consists of the Ralik and Ratak chains. The total land area is 181.3 km²; the territory occupied by lagoons - 11 673 km ². The population of the Marshall Islands is 53,158 people. (2011, census). The capital is a city.

The first island noticed by Europeans was Bocak Atoll, open by the navigator Alonso de Salazar in 1526. Subsequently, the Marshall Islands alternately became the territory of different colonial powers: in 1886 - Germany, in 1914 - which continued to rule the islands after the First World War already under the mandate of the League of Nations, in 1947 - included in the UN Trust Territory under control. As a state formation, the Marshall Islands emerged in 1983 as a result of the division of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Since 1986, the Islands have been in a “free association” with. The Marshall Islands is a member of the United Nations, the South Pacific Commission and the Pacific Islands Forum.

Name

The Marshall Islands are named after Captain John Marshall (also known as William Marshall), who, together with another captain Thomas Gilbert, after whom the neighboring Gilbert Islands are named, explored the archipelago in 1788 during the transport of prisoners in.

Geography

General geography

A snapshot of the Marshall Islands from a space satellite. March 1999

The land area of ​​the Marshall Islands is only 181.3 km², while the area occupied by lagoons is 11 673 km². The country is located on 29 atolls and 5 outlying islands, which are divided into two groups: 18 islands in the Ralik chain (translated from the Marshall language "sunset") and 16 islands in the Ratak chain (or Radak; translated from the Marshall language "sunrise"). Both chains are about 250 km apart and stretch from northwest to southeast for about 1200 km. The most important islands are the Kwajalein atolls and. The largest island in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Kwajalein is also an atoll with the largest lagoon in the world. Despite the fact that its land area is only 16.32 km² (or 6.3 sq. Miles), the area of ​​the lagoon is 2,174 km² (or 839.3 sq. Miles). All the islands are low-lying, and the atolls consist of a large number of motu, the total number of which in the country exceeds 1100. The highest point of the country, which reaches only 10 m, is located on the atoll.

The northernmost island of the Republic of the Marshall Islands is Bocac Island (or Taongi) in the Ratak chain: it is located 280 km northwest of the contested Wake Atoll, which is now under government. The southernmost island of the Marshall Islands is Ebon Atoll, the westernmost is Ujelang (they are both located in the Ralik chain), the easternmost is Knox in the Ratak chain.

Geology

The beach of one of the country's atolls.

Twenty nine out of thirty four islands Republics of the Marshall Islands - atolls (the rest of the islands are raised atolls). According to Charles Darwin's theory, the formation of atolls occurred as a result of the subsidence of volcanic islands, at the surface of which they gradually grew. A bordering reef was formed, and subsequently a barrier reef, which was gradually built on by corals. The result was the dry land of the atoll. Coral and algae growth was most intense in the ocean-facing reef areas, with the result that these outer edges of the reef kept pace with the subsidence of the volcanic island. The inner regions of the island, on the contrary, were submerged under water. Subsequently, shallow lagoons formed in these places.

Sand gradually accumulated on the surface of the reefs, which was formed under the influence of waves and currents, especially during strong ebb and flow. In the tidal zone of the beach, coastal rock was formed, an outer inclined layer of stones. As a result, the terrestrial plants had a support on which they could grow. On the island, vegetation that was resistant to a high content of salts in the soil was formed, which with its roots held together various sedimentary rocks and prevented water and wind erosion. This is how the sandy islands, or motu, of the atoll were formed.

An uplifted atoll is an uplifted volcanic island created by the uplifting of the coral platform, or makatea, that surrounds the volcanic plateau in the center of the island.

There are no minerals, the development of which could be carried out on an industrial scale, on the surface and in the depths of the Marshall Islands. However, in the course of preliminary studies, phosphorites were found on some islands, and within the territorial waters of the country - accumulations of ferromanganese nodules, as well as cobalt. However, at the moment, no development is underway.

Climate

Average annual temperature (red) and rainfall (blue) on Majuro Island

A distinctive feature of the regional climate of the Marshall Islands is a change in climatic conditions from north to south, including an increase in precipitation in this direction. The northern islands of the country have a tropical, semi-arid climate. For example, in the northernmost atoll of the Marshall Islands, Bocake, it is practically semi-desert, although the amount of precipitation on it is close to that of the western prairies. This is due to several factors: soil porosity, salt fog and salty groundwater. Rainfall in the Marshall Islands increases as you move south and reaches its maximum on Ebon Atoll, the country's southernmost island located in the equatorial belt.

Another important climatic feature of the local climate is the location of the Marshall Islands in the northeastern trade winds. For most of the year, the islands are dominated by winds blowing from the northeast. They are characterized by high humidity. Showers are frequent on all but the northernmost islands.

Typical, though rare, of the archipelago are tropical storms and hurricanes, or typhoons, with heavy rainfall, strong winds breaking trees and destroying houses, and high waves that threaten to wash away low-lying islets. Droughts happen. El Niño is the most common cause of climatic disasters.

The monthly rainfall in the Marshall Islands is around 300-380 mm. On the northern islands of the country, annually from 1000 to 1750 mm of precipitation falls, on the southern - 3000-4300 mm. On the northern islands, the heaviest rains occur from September to November, while on the southern ones they fall all year round.

The temperature regime on the archipelago remains constant throughout the year. The difference between the coldest and warmest month is 1-2 ° C. The lowest night temperatures are usually 2-4 ° C higher than the lowest daytime temperatures. The average annual temperature in the Marshall Islands is 27.8 ° C.

Soils and hydrology

The soils of the Marshall Islands are highly alkaline, coral in origin (mostly white or pink coral sand), and very poor. They are usually porous, which makes them very poor at retaining moisture. Also, local soils contain very little organic and mineral substances with the exception of calcium.

The first island noticed by Europeans was Bocac Atoll, discovered by the navigator Alonso de Salazar in 1526. Nevertheless, the archipelago remained unnamed until 1788, when the islands were rediscovered by Captain John Marshall, after whom they were named. Subsequently, ships of many states sailed past the Marshall Islands, but none of them submitted territorial claims for the purpose of annexation. In the 1860s, the first immigrants from the. During these years, German trading companies developed a whole network of copra and other goods. In 1885, the archipelago was annexed by the German Empire, despite claims from outside. The administration on behalf of the empire was carried out by the Jaluit company from Hamburg.

During the First World War, in September 1914, it occupied the part that belonged to Germany, including the Marshall Islands. Since then, the islands remained under Japanese control until the American occupation of the archipelago during World War II. Since 1920, the Marshall Islands have been ruled by Japan under a League of Nations mandate.

After the short-term occupation of the islands by the US Army, the UN entrusted the administration of the Marshall Islands to the United States as the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Soon, a strategic US military base appeared on the Kwajalein Atoll, from where it was supervised the nuclear weapons tests on the Bikini Atolls and, which were carried out from 1946 to 1958.

In 1979, the archipelago received limited autonomy, and in 1986, the Free Association Treaty was signed with the United States, according to which the United States recognized the independence of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic, in turn, gave the United States military the right to be in the country; all military bases were also preserved. The country's defense became the responsibility of the United States. In 1990, the independence of the Marshall Islands was recognized by the UN.

The association agreement expired in September 2001. After two years of negotiations, in 2003, the contract was renewed.

Administrative division

During the Trust Territory's existence, the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands comprised one county.

Currently, the Marshall Islands are divided into 33 municipalities: Ailinginae, Ailinglapalap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Voto, Jabat, Jaluit, Dzhemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Mejit, Mili Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongerik, Taka, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Ebon, Eniwetok, Erikub. The four county centers, Majuro, Ebeye, Jaluit and Vautier, have local governments with an elected council, mayor, appointed officials and local police.

№	Name of the municipality	The code ISO 3166-2	Population, people (2011)	Square, km²	Density, people / km²
1	Ailinginae	-	-	2,80	-
2	Ailinglapalap	MH-ALL	1729	14,69	117,70
3		MH-ALK	339	5,36	63,25
4	Arno	MH-ARN	1794	12,95	138,53
5	Aur	MH-AUR	499	5,62	88,79
6	Bikar	-	-	0,49	-
7	Bikini	-	9	6,01	1,50
8	Bocak	-	-	3,24	-
9	Voto	MH-WTH	97	4,33	22,40
10		MH-WTJ	859	8,18	105,01
11		MH-JAB	84	0,57	147,37
12	Jaluit	MH-JAL	1788	11,34	157,67
13	Djemo	-	-	0,16	-
14		MH-KIL	548	0,93	589,25
15	Kwajalein	MH-KWA	11 408	16,39	696,03
16	Lae	MH-LAE	347	1,45	239,31
17	Lib	MH-LIB	155	0,93	166,67
18		MH-LIK	401	10,26	39,08
19		MH-MAJ	27 797	9,71	2862,72
20	Maloelap	MH-MAL	682	9,82	69,45
21		MH-MEJ	348	1,86	187,10
22	Miles	MH-MIL	738	15,93	46,33
23		MH-NMK	508	2,77	183,39
24	Namu	MH-NMU	780	6,27	124,40
25		MH-RON	79	7,95	9,94
26	Rongerik	-	-	1,68	-
27	Taka	-	-	0,57	-
28		MH-UJA	364	1,86	195,70
29	Ujelang	-	-	1,74	-
30		MH-UTI	435	2,43	179,01
31	Ebon	MH-EBO	706	5,75	122,78
32		MH-ENI	664	5,85	113,50
33	Erikub	-	-	1,53	-
	Marshall Islands	MH	53 158	181,42	293,01	Map

Population

Number and location

Residential buildings and small children in Majuro Atoll.

The first official census of the population of the Marshall Islands took place in 1920. At that time, 9800 people lived on the islands. Until 1958, population growth rates were slow, but from 1958 to 1967 the annual population growth reached 3.4%, and subsequently 4%. However, already in 1988-1989 this value dropped to 1.5%, despite the fact that the birth rate remained very high. The downward trend in population growth was caused by the increased emigration of the population abroad, primarily in. According to the 1999 census, the islands' annual population growth remained unchanged at 1.5%, while in 2008 it rose to 2.1%.

According to the last census of 1999, the population of the Marshall Islands was 50,840 people, while more than 25 thousand people lived in the capital of the state, the city.

In 1999, 30,925 people lived on the islands of the Ratak chain, and 19,915 people on the islands of the Ralik chain. The highest population density was in the atoll: 6314 people. per km². Lowest - Bikini Atolls and: 6 pax. per km².

The main street of Majuro Main Road.

According to the latest 2011 census, the population of the Marshall Islands was 53,158.

The general trend in recent years has been the outflow of the population from the remote islands to the only cities countries, on Majuro Atoll and Ebeye on Kwajalein Atoll. So, in 1930, only 753 people lived in Majuro, and in 2011 already 27,797 people. (an increase of 36.9 times); in Ebeye in 1930 - 19 people, in 2011 - 11,408 people. (an increase of 600.4 times) This creates an increased load on the resources and lands of both islands, leads to coastal abrasion, negatively affects local ecosystems, and contributes to the destruction of autochthonous flora and fauna. In the event of a significant rise in the level of the World Ocean or global climate change, the concentration of the population on individual islands can lead to serious social and economic consequences.

Against the background of an increase in the population of cities, on the remote islands of the country, population growth in 2011 compared to 1999 is observed only on the islands of Jaluit, Lae, Lib, and amounted to less than 1%, while on other islands there was a decrease in population.

According to the 2011 census, men accounted for 51.2% (27,243 people), women - 48.8% (25,915 people). According to the 2011 census, the share of the urban population is 73.8%, the rural population is 26.2%.

The share of children under 14 years old in 2011 was 40%, of the adult population from 15 to 59 years old - 56%, over 59 years old - 4%. The average life expectancy for men in 1999 was 65.7 years, for women - 69.4 years.

Ethnic composition

The vast majority of the population of the Marshall Islands are Marshalls. It is a Micronesian people that is divided into two ethnographic groups: railik and rakhtak(in geography in a slightly different pronunciation: Ralik and Ratak, this is how the two island chains of the country are called).

The share of foreigners living in the country is only 2.3%: this is the lowest after the figure among the Pacific countries. The largest non-Marshallian ethnic group is the Kosrae people from the island of Kusai in the Caroline Islands. The Marshall Islands is also home to a small group of Americans and Filipinos.

Languages

In addition to in English, official language Marshall Islands is a Marshallian, a Micronesian language. The total number of its carriers in 1979 was about 43,900 people.

The language uses the Latin alphabet, supplemented with diacritics. It consists of 22 consonants (plus one posterior palatine sound, which is not displayed in the spelling) and four vowel sounds, each of which has several allophones. The spelling of the Marshall language is extremely unstable. In addition to having several accepted spelling options, the spelling in each of them is inconsistent.

Religious composition

The dominant religion in the Marshall Islands is Christianity, spread across the archipelago by missionaries in the 19th century. The first of these were the Congregational from the Ebon Atoll in 1857. The first Catholic missionaries arrived in the Marshall Islands in 1899, later building a church on the Jaluit Atoll.

In 2008, the share of Protestants (Congregationalists of the Church of Christ) was 54.8%, followers of the Assembly of God - 25.8%, Catholics - 8.4%, Mormons - 2.1%.

Political structure

Political system

The Marshall Islands is a self-governing public entity in free association with. The Constitution, adopted on May 1, 1979, establishes a form of government that combines features of the British and American political systems.

After gaining independence in 1983, a referendum was held in the country, the result of which was a course towards continuing close ties with the United States. In November 1986, a Free Association Agreement was signed, which was in effect for 15 years. According to him, the Republic of the Marshall Islands could conduct an independent foreign policy, while the United States was responsible for the country's finances, which also retained the exclusive right to the presence of the US armed forces on the Kwajalein Atoll. Compliance with the American nuclear test program was guaranteed. In exchange for these concessions, the United States took over the defense of the Islands, guaranteed access for the Marshall Islands to US federal programs, and provided the Marshalls with the right to live and work in the United States. At the same time, the United States allocated significant funds to the Islands: in 1987 - $ 48 million, in 2001-2002 - $ 34.7 million, thus, from 1987 to 2002, the state budget of the Marshall Islands consisted of 70% of funds received from the United States. The agreement expired in 2002. The new Free Association Agreement for a period of 20 years was signed on December 6, 2003. According to it, the United States undertook to continue financing the economy of the Marshall Islands (the amounts were previously agreed upon in the agreement).

Legislature

Parliament building of the Marshall Islands.

The highest legislative body is the parliament, which consists of two chambers: the Council of Chiefs (march. Council of Iroij, upper house) and Nitijela (march. Nitijela, lower house).

Legislative power is vested in the lower house of parliament, which consists of 33 members. The term of office of the chamber is four years. Only a citizen of the Marshall Islands who has reached the age of 21 can become a candidate for the lower house of parliament. The deputies are elected on the basis of universal suffrage. The elected candidate is the candidate with a simple majority. At the first meeting after the elections, the members of the lower house from among their members elect the speaker and his deputy. The regular session of the Chamber begins on the first Monday of January and lasts for 50 days. The President has the right to dissolve the lower house in the event that the latter expresses a vote of no confidence twice (if both times the new president was not elected), and also if the Cabinet was not formed within 30 days after the presidential election.

Upper chamber, or Council of Chiefs, is endowed with advisory functions: it can discuss any issue related to the Marshall Islands, and express its opinion to the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as demand the revision of any law relating to customary law, traditional practice or land tenure rights adopted by the lower house of parliament in the third reading. The Council of Chiefs consists of 12 representatives (march. Iroijlaplap) from the districts of the Ralik and Ratak chains: the Ralik chain (without Ujelang) represents 4 persons; Ujelang, Mili, Arno, Medjit, Majuro, Airok (motu in Maloelap atoll), Likiep - 1 person from each district; islands Aur, Maloelap (without motu Airok), Vautier, Utirik and Ailuk have one representative. At the first meeting of the council, the chairman of the Council of Chiefs and his deputy are elected from among the representatives by secret ballot.

Executive power

According to the Constitution of the Marshall Islands, the head of state is the president, who is elected from among the members of the lower house of parliament by the deputies themselves at the first meeting after the general election. The candidate who receives the majority of votes is elected. Since January 2016, Kasten Nemra has been the President of the country.

The executive power of the Marshall Islands is in the hands of the Cabinet of Ministers, whose members are collectively responsible to the country's parliament. The Cabinet includes the President of the Marshall Islands, who is also supposed to be a member of the country's lower house of parliament, and other members of the house appointed as relevant ministers. Ministerial candidates, who must be at least 6 (candidates for the post of finance, foreign affairs, communications and transport, resources and development, social security, public works) and no more than 10, are nominated by the president of the country from the lower house, and then presented to the speaker chamber, which already appoints them as ministers. If the president has not nominated at least 6 ministers within 7 days after his election, the president is removed from office and new elections for the head of state are held.

The Cabinet exercises general direction and control over the state power of the country; submits to the lower house of parliament bills that are necessary or desirable for the implementation of the policy and decisions of the Cabinet, and also makes proposals to increase duties or other sources of the state budget and expenditures of public money; The cabinet is accountable to the lower house of parliament for all government spending; is responsible for the country's foreign policy (including treaties), signs international treaties with the approval of the lower house of parliament and appoints ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions of the Marshall Islands; is responsible for taking measures necessary to ensure the security of the country, provided that the deployment of armed forces on the territory of the country in peacetime is not allowed; The Cabinet is endowed with the right to pardon; The Cabinet is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of hospitals and other institutions in the Marshall Islands health system; for the creation and maintenance of public schools in the country's education system; for the creation and maintenance of other institutions necessary to maintain a high standard of living of the population of the Marshall Islands, to protect their legal rights, to ensure the economic, social and cultural well-being of the Marshalls.

Judicial branch

The Marshall Islands' judiciary is independent of the legislative and executive branches. The country's judicial system includes the Supreme Court, High Court, Traditional Rights Court, District Courts, Community Courts, and other subordinate courts under the law. Each court in the Marshall Islands has the power to issue a judgment, establish rules, issue orders, procedural instructions that do not contradict applicable law and are necessary for the administration of justice and in pursuance of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court of the Marshall Islands is the highest court of written proceedings, established by the constitution and with appeal jurisdiction, with the ultimate judgment in all cases before the lower courts. The Supreme Court is composed of a presiding judge and other judges, the number of which is stipulated by current legislation.

The High Court of the Marshall Islands is the highest written court established by the constitution and has general jurisdiction over discrepancies between law and fact. The High Court is composed of a presiding judge and other judges, the number of which is stipulated by current legislation. The court also hears appeals against decisions of lower courts, checks the legality of decisions of government agencies, unless otherwise specified by law.

Judges of the Supreme and High Courts are appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, with subsequent approval from the lower house of parliament. The age limit for a judge is 72 years.

The traditional legal court is a court of written proceedings established by the constitution and composed of three or more judges who represent all classes of land law: the supreme leader (march Iroijlaplap), the lower in position of the leader (march Iroijedrik), heads of communal / workers' clans ( march. Alap), community members / workers (march. Dri Jerbal). The jurisdiction of the traditional court of law includes issues related to the determination of titles or land rights of Marshalls, as well as legitimate interests, which are determined in whole or in part by customary law and traditional practice existing in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The District Courts hear civil claims up to $ 10,000, excluding High Court, maritime, and land disputes. Community courts operate in the country's municipalities. They consider claims up to $ 200.

Constituencies

Citizens of the Marshall Islands who have reached the age of 18 are vested with voting rights. Persons who are recognized as mentally ill, who are in places of imprisonment and who have been conditionally released from criminal punishment have no right to participate in elections. A voter can vote only in one constituency where he lives or has a land plot.

The country is divided into 24 constituencies. Majuro District is represented in parliament by 5 deputies, Kwajalein - 3 deputies, Ailinglaplap, Arno, Jaluit - 2 deputies, Ailuk, Aur, Bikini-Kili, Voto, Vautier, Jabat, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Maloelap, Medjit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Ujae, Utirik, Ebon, Enevetak-Ujelang - 1 deputy. Other uninhabited islands included in those constituencies with which they are most closely associated (according to traditions, customs). The country's parliament can change both the number of deputies in the country's parliament and the boundaries of electoral districts. At the same time, approximately the same number of residents should live in the districts, although they can also be taken into account geographic features, community interests, boundaries of existing administrative and traditional areas, means of communication and population mobility.

Local government

Under the Constitution, the population of any atoll or island that is not part of an atoll (i.e. a motu) has the right to a system of local government that operates in accordance with applicable Marshall Islands law. At the same time, local self-government applies not only to the land of the atoll / island, but also to the sea and sea ​​bottom inland waters the island (that is, the lagoon) and on the waters of the ocean washing the island and its bottom at a distance of 5 miles from the baseline from which the territorial waters of the atoll or island are measured.

Political parties

Traditionally, there are no formally organized political parties in the Marshall Islands. Those of them that are called them are more like factions or groups acting in the interests of certain circles. They lack headquarters, official ideology or party structures. The country's two generally recognized parties are the Kabua Party, or Aelon kein ad, (translated from the Marshall language - "Our islands") and the United Democratic Party. There is also another party in the country, the United People's Party, which in January 2008, together with the Kabua Party, formed the government of the Marshall Islands.

Armed forces and police

There is no permanent military force in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. However, according to the Free Association Agreement, the responsibility for the security and defense of the country is borne. They must protect the Republic of the Marshall Islands and its citizens from attacks and threats from outside, prevent access to and use of the Marshall Islands by military personnel or for military purposes by any third state, create and use areas and structures for military purposes in accordance with the terms of the Treaty. The United States can also conduct military operations and operations on land, water and airspace Marshall Islands. Unless otherwise specified, the United States must not detonate or deploy nuclear or any other weapons of mass destruction or radioactive, chemical or biological materials that could harm the health or safety of the Marshall Islands population.

Internal security is provided by the formation of the national police. In 2004, the High Court heard 100 criminal cases (in 2000 - 160); the police in the cities of Majuro and Ebeye arrested 3,587 people.

Foreign policy and international relations

According to the Treaty of Free Association of the Republic of the Marshall Islands with the United States, the country has the right to conduct an independent foreign policy on its own behalf, except as otherwise specified in the Treaty. The Marshall Islands can independently conduct foreign policy in matters of the law of the sea and maritime resources, build commercial, diplomatic, consular, economic, trade, banking, postal, communication, cultural relations, relations related to civil aviation with other states, as well as negotiate with other states, international and intergovernmental organizations to receive grants and loans for the development of the country. The Republic of the Marshall Islands can sign international treaties and agreements on its own behalf with the governments of other countries and regional and international organizations.

The United States Government shall, by mutual agreement, support applications from the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands for membership or other participation in regional and international organizations. The Marshall Islands should consult with the US government on its foreign policy, and the US government should consult with the government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on matters that may concern the Marshall Islands. The US government is not responsible for the Marshall Islands' foreign policy commitments unless explicitly agreed by both parties. At the request of the government of the Marshall Islands, the United States is also required to provide consular assistance to citizens of the Marshall Islands.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands maintains diplomatic relations with 72 countries, including s. However, only, and have their own embassies in. The Republic of the Marshall Islands has an embassy in the United States (in), a consulate in and a mission in Taiwan and the United Nations. Diplomatic relations between Russia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands were established on August 6, 1992. However, there is no Russian embassy on the territory of the country.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is a member of the UN (since September 17, 1991), the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the Pacific Islands Forum, the Asian Development Bank, the international organization of the ACP countries and other international organizations.

The Marshall Islands are contesting their rights to Wake Atoll, which is currently the territory.

Economy

general characteristics

Marshall Islands Economy
Currency	1 U.S. Dollar (USD) = 100 cents
Budget year	Calendar year
Trade Organizations	SPARTECA, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
Statistics
Situation in the world (judging by PPP)	220th (2001)
GDP (PPP)	$ 115 million (2001 est.)
GDP growth	3.5% (2005 est.)
GDP per capita (PPP)	$ 2,900 (2005 est.)
Inflation	3% (2005, estimate)
Work force	14 680 (2000)
Unemployment	30.9% (2000 est.)
Main branches of the national economy	services sector, Agriculture
Trade partners
Export	$ 9.1 million (2000)
Main partners (ex.)	, Australia, China
Import	$ 54.7 million (2000)
Main partners (imp.)	, Australia, China,
State Finance
Budget revenues	$ 42 million (1999)
Budget expenditures	$ 40 million (1999)

The characteristics that determine the economic situation in the Marshall Islands are no different from those of other countries in Oceania: a huge exclusive economic zone, limited natural resources, remoteness from the main world markets, and a shortage of highly qualified specialists. The economy of the Marshall Islands is also experiencing serious difficulties such as government budget deficits, balance of payments and low levels of domestic savings. The country is highly dependent on Money allocated by the Asian Development Bank and other countries of the world. Therefore, the size of the state budget of the Marshall Islands is largely determined by the size of foreign financial assistance.

Nevertheless, in recent years, the country has achieved relative economic stability, although the weaknesses of the local economy and the negative influence of external and other factors that can negate the achieved economic successes have remained. The most stable components of business activity in the Marshall Islands are the public sector and financial and economic revenues from the Reagan Proving Ground (USA) in Kwajalein Atoll, which is also a large employer (employing 1200 to 1300 Marshalls). In recent years, there have been improvements in the private sector, but it has not grown enough to deal with the growing unemployment in the country. The public and private sectors remain particularly sensitive to fluctuations in the external market: for example, after the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 in the United States and the bird flu epidemic in 2001-2004, there was a sharp decline in the number of tourists on the islands; the economy is also negatively affected by the rise in prices for fuel, which is completely imported into the country.

According to the government of the Marshall Islands, in 2007, the country's GDP was about $ 149 million, and its per capita GDP was $ 2851. The national economic growth of the Islands is very uneven. In 2007, GDP growth was 2%, in 2004 - 5.6%, while from 1996 to 1999 it was negative (in 1996 - −10.3%, in 1999 - −2.9% ).

The main sectors of the economy of the Marshall Islands are services and agriculture. Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the country's economy.

According to a 2005 estimate, the inflation rate in the country was 3%.

Due to low taxes, the state is a popular offshore zone.

Agriculture

Despite the fact that the volume of agricultural production in the Marshall Islands is small, agriculture plays an important role in the life of the local population and is one of the key sectors of the country's economy. The amount of land suitable for cultivation is limited due to the small area of ​​the atolls and the low fertility of local soils.

Food crops are grown by households mainly for their own consumption. The most important of them are coconut palm, breadfruit, pandanus, bananas, taro. Other widespread crops include pineapples, cucumbers, watermelons, peppers, cabbage, tomatoes, eggplant, pumpkin, and paprika. Meat production only satisfies the domestic market.

The country's most important agricultural product is copra, which is produced mainly in the outer islands of the archipelago, for which the government of the Marshall Islands subsidizes the prices of this product in order to maintain the welfare of local residents. The meaning of the subsidy is that the government company "Tobolar" buys copra from local producers at a price higher than the market price. In 2004 and 2005, these subsidies reached $ 900,000. In 2004, thanks to a grant from Taiwan, the Marshall Islands began to produce soap and other products in addition to coconut oil.

Fishing

Against the background of the growing population of the country, the Government of the Marshall Islands has declared the development of the fishing sector of the economy one of the priority areas of activity.

Coastal fishing plays an important role in the lives of the Marshalls. Of particular value, in addition to individual fish species, are various crustaceans, especially crabs, which go to the domestic market. Pearl farms operate on the atolls, and a station for the cultivation of giant tridacnas.

The country's main export is tuna, but its catch is carried out mainly by foreign vessels, which are licensed to fish in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Marshall Islands. At the same time, licensing income largely depends on weather conditions, for example, in the waters of the country the largest number tuna is commonly seen during El Niño. For example, due to changes in the migration routes of tuna in recent years, the volume of fish catch has dropped sharply. The closure of the tuna fillet factory in 2004 had a negative impact on the country's economy. It was beneficial in the sense that it provided jobs for 100 to 520 local residents, and was also a large taxpayer.

Transport

The vehicle's license plate used in 1985 in the Marshall Islands was just a sticker.

In 2007, the length of the Marshall Islands highways was 2,028 km (including 75 km of expressways). There is no railway transport in the republic.

The national air carrier is Air Marshall Islands, which operates domestic flights. The company was founded in 1980 under the name " Airline of the Marshall Islands", Since 1990 began to be used modern name... Other airlines flying to the Marshall Islands are “ Continental airlines"(Flights from and islands to islands and Kwajalein) and" Our Airline / Air Nauru»(Flights from (Australia) and ()). A total of 15 airports operated in the country in 2007, but only four of them had a hard surface runway.

On the island of Majuro there is public transport(charter buses), but the most popular mode of transport is taxi. The fare ranges from 50 cents to 2 dollars (between the most distant points of the island), while the driver has the right to pick up fellow travelers. Sea traffic, both domestic and international, is carried out by the company Central Pacific Maritime Agency. Largest port country - .

Connection

The Marshall Islands press is represented by only two publications: the newspaper Marshall Islands Gazette owned by the country's government and published once a month; magazine Marshall Islands Journal is private and published weekly in English and Marshall. There is one AM station on the islands, three FM stations: V7AB(owned by the government of the Marshall Islands) V7AA(religious radio station), Micronesia Heatwave(private). In some parts of the country, you can catch the signal of the radio station and TV channel of the American military located in Kwajalein Atoll. MBC TV is a state-owned channel.

Available on the islands different kinds telecommunication services: telex, telephony, Internet. There is a regular telephone service in the Majuro and Kwajalein atolls. Other islands can be contacted via satellite or radiotelephone. In 2004, the country had 4,500 home telephones in use and 600 mobile phones... In 2006, 2,200 people used the Internet in the Marshall Islands.

Tourism

The tourism sector of the Marshall Islands' economy remains in its infancy, as the number of tourists arriving in the country remains quite low compared to other countries. The main flow of tourists is directed to the island. In 2004, the island was visited by 9007 people, in 2001 - 5444 people, in 1999 - 6116 people. The archipelago is mainly visited by citizens and. In 2003, the total number of vacationers from the United States decreased by 3%, while those from Japan increased by about 2.5%. The main types of recreation for foreigners: diving, sport fishing, cultural tourism, sailing on a yacht.

Several factors negatively affect the development of tourism: too high price and the duration of the flight to the Marshall Islands, undeveloped infrastructure.

Many citizens of the Marshall Islands suffer from cancer, thyroid disease and various tumors caused by radiation caused by the nuclear tests in the Bikini Atolls and.

Education

The Marshall Islands education system faces many challenges, most notably the need to improve teaching at all levels of learning.

The country's educational system consists of four main stages:

• preschool education for children from three to five years old through the centers of the state program "Head Start Program"(49 centers in total) and schools with kindergarten programs (3 public and 13 private);
• compulsory primary education for children between the ages of six and fourteen through the public and private school system (100 schools in total);
• secondary education for children from fifteen to eighteen years old through the system of public and private schools (17 schools in total);
• secondary specialized education through the College of Marshall Islands and an educational program USP-CMI.

The city of Majuro also has a campus for the University of the South Pacific, built in 1993.

In the period from 1988 to 1999, the number of students in the Marshall Islands increased significantly: in primary schools - from 11,581 to 12,421 people, in secondary schools - from 1,910 to 2,667 people. However, in subsequent years, the number of students in primary schools decreased, which is mainly due to the outflow of the population to other countries (primarily): in the 2004/2005 academic year, 10,281 people were enrolled in primary schools. The share of students from the total number of children who have reached the age required to attend school remains rather low (this indicator increased slightly: from 81.9 to 84.1% for primary schools and from 46.7 to 69.5% in secondary schools).

Notes (edit)

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68. K., art. 6, § 3, item 1.
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Links

Links in English

• Marshall Islands President website
• Embassy of the Marshall Islands in the United States. Official site
• Marshall Islands Official Statistics Site
• Marshall Islands Journal - weekly free journal
• Marshall Islands Constitution
• The text of the 1986 Treaty of Free Association of the Republic of the Marshall Islands with the United States
• The text of the 2003 Treaty of Free Association of the Republic of the Marshall Islands with the United States
• Free Association Agreement website
• Marshall Islands Ministry of Tourism. Majuro guide
• Marshall Cultural Center
• Traditional crafts of the Marshalls.
• Phillip H. McArthur... Narrative, Cosmos, and Nation: Intertextuality and Power in the Marshall Islands
• World Culture Encyclopedia. Marshall Islands
• Digital Micronesia - An Electronic Library & Archive. Marshall Islands.

Links in Russian

• Information about the Marshall Islands in the "Around the World" encyclopedia
• Information about the Marshall Islands on Travel.ru
• Dmitry Malov's blog about the Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands on world map

Due to the rather large length of the island chains from north to south, the country's climate is quite diverse. So, on the northern islands it is tropical semi-arid, and on the northernmost island, Bokak, it is practically semi-desert. However, as you move southward, the amount of precipitation increases and most often it rains on Ebon, the country's southernmost island, which is located in the equatorial belt. At the same time, northeastern winds, characterized by high humidity, blow on the islands for almost the entire year. Destructive typhoons and tropical storms are quite rare here and they mainly occur in the period from October to November or from March to April.

Marshall Islands map in Russian

Due to the high cost of flights to the Marshall Islands, tourism in this region of Oceania is not so developed. However, a trip here is a real treat for divers, as here they will have the opportunity to admire some of the most beautiful underwater landscapes on the planet.
The main attractions of this paradise- ancient "underwater gardens" near the Mile atoll, "underwater cemeteries" of military equipment that drowned in these waters during the Second World War and Laura Village - an ethnographic village where you can get acquainted with the way of life of the indigenous inhabitants of Micronesia, In Laura Village there is also Majuro Peace Park - a memorial built by Japan in memory of those killed in the period from 1941 to 1945. In general, the islands have preserved many objects reminiscent of the Japanese intervention. see the ruins of giant defensive structures built by the Japanese, and in the center of the village located there is a large collection of Japanese tanks and other military equipment produced in the early 1940s. Used photographs from Wikimedia © Foto, Wikimedia Commons