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.
Population
65,859 (July 2010 est.)
Country comparison to the world: 203
Nationality
Noun:Marshallese (singular and plural)
Adjective:Marshallese
Ethnic groups
Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006)
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)
Languages
Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census)
note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language
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
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ 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 4
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, ICCt, 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 Banny DEBRUM
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 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; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes
