Form of Government: Republic (in free association with the United States)
Capital: Majuro
Area: 181.3 km²
Time Zone: GMT + 12 hours
Population: 61 000
Population 2015: (estimated) 116 500
Population density: 336 per km²
Life expectancy: 66.2 years
Infant mortality (per 1000): 38.7
Languages: Marshallese *, English *, Japanese, German
Literacy: 94%
Religions: Protestant 90%, Catholic 8%, Others 2%
Population: Micronesians 98%, Other 2%
Currency: US-Dollar
Economy: Services 68%, Industry 21%, Agriculture 11%
GDP per capita: 3060 US-Dollars
Climate: Tropical, rainy season from May to November
Highest point: Culmination of Likiep (10m high)
The Marshall Islands are located in the North Pacific, right on the path between Papua New Guinea and Hawaii (USA). The territory comprises 34 atolls, including "Kwajalein", the largest atoll on earth. About 2000 BC the islands were settled. Spanish navigators discovered the area in 1529 and
managed them starting 1874. They were followed by Germans, Japanese and Americans. Between 1946 and 1958 the USA used a part of the Marshall Islands for their devastating nuclear tests. The residents were compensated, however the clean up of the radiation-contaminated islands is still going on.
Since 1986 a contract with the U.S. on a "free association" has existed.