| Surface : 181.4 sq km
(70 sq miles) - The Marshall Islands
consist of two almost parallel chains of atolls and islands and lie
west of the International Date Line. Majuro Atoll is 2285km (1428
miles) west of Honolulu, 1624km (1015 miles) east of Guam and 2624km
(1641 miles) southeast of Tokyo. The eastern Ratak (Sunrise)
Chain consists of 15 atolls and islands, and the western Ralik
(Sunset) Chain consists of 16 atolls and islands. Together these two
chains comprise 1152 islands and islets dispersed over more than
1,900,000 sq km (500,000 sq miles) of the central Pacific |
| Population : 60.652 inhabitants |
| Electricity: 110
volts AC, 60 Hz. Plugs are US two-pin style. |
| PASSPORTS:
Passports valid for at least one year from date
of arrival are required by all. VISAS:
Required by all except the following: nationals
of USA; nationals of the Federated States of Micronesia and the
Republic of Palau. |
| Capital : Majuro.
Population: 31,261 |
| System : Republic since 1990. Gained
self-governing status (in free association with the USA) in 1986.
Under the terms of the constitution, which came into effect in May
1979, the Marshalls have a parliamentary system of government in which
legislative authority is vested in the 33-member Nitijela.
Members are directly elected for four years. The president, who holds
executive power and governs with the assistance of an appointed
cabinet, is elected by the Nitijela from among its own members. |
| Climate: Tropical,
with cooling sea breezes and frequent rain. Trade winds blow steadily
from the northeast from December through to March. Wettest months are
usually October to November. The average temperature is 27°C (80°F). |
| Languages : English (universally spoken and is the
official language), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family,
Japanese |
| Religions : Christian (mostly Protestant) |
| Money : United States dollar
(US$) |
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