Internet country code [time series]

.mh

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

6 (2003)

Internet users [time series]

1,400 (2003)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0 note: additionally, the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (Central Pacific Network) operate one FM and one AM station on Kwajalein (2002)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: digital switching equipment; modern services include telex, cellular, internet, international calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein (2001)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

4,500 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

600 (2002)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

2 (both are US military stations) (2002)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens

Budget [time series]

revenues: $42 million expenditures: $40 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1999)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

US dollar (USD)

Debt - external [time series]

$86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

more than $1 billion from the US, 1986-2002

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Amended Compact of Free Association, the US will provide millions of dollars per year to the Marshall Islands (RMI) through 2023, at which time a Trust Fund made up of US and RMI contributions will begin perpetual annual payouts. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism and foreign investment due to the Asian financial difficulties, and less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade.

Exchange rates [time series]

the US dollar is the legal tender

Exports [time series]

$9 million f.o.b. (2000)

Exports - commodities [time series]

copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish

Exports - partners [time series]

US, Japan, Australia, China (2000)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 October - 30 September

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$115 million (2001 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 14% industry: 16% services: 70% (2000 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2001 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

1% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$54 million f.o.b. (2000)

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco

Imports - partners [time series]

US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Fiji, China, Philippines (2000)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA

Industries [time series]

copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2% (2001 est.)

Labor force [time series]

28,700 (1996 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 21.4%, industry 20.9%, services 57.7%

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA

Unemployment rate [time series]

30.9% (1999 est.)

Area [time series]

total: 181.3 sq km land: 181.3 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik

Area - comparative [time series]

about the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical; hot and humid; wet season from May to November; islands border typhoon belt

Coastline [time series]

370.4 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

9 00 N, 168 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands; Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range

Irrigated land [time series]

0 sq km

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 38.89% other: 44.44% (2001)

Location [time series]

Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Map references [time series]

Oceania

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

infrequent typhoons

Natural resources [time series]

coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals

Terrain [time series]

low coral limestone and sand islands

Administrative divisions [time series]

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 [time series]

Majuro

Constitution [time series]

1 May 1979

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands conventional short form: Marshall Islands former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Greta N. MORRIS 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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Banny DE BRUM chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 consulate(s) general: Honolulu

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 5 January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 5 January 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament from among its own members for a four-year term; election last held 17 November 2003 (next to be held November 2007) election results: Kessai Hesa NOTE elected president; percent of Parliament vote - 100%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004

Independence [time series]

21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court; High Court

Legal system [time series]

based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 November 2003 (next to be held not later than November 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA note: the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice

National holiday [time series]

Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

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 - Kabua Party [Imata KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

NA

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Background [time series]

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.

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the US

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces; Marshall Islands Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

NA

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

NA

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 38.2% (male 11,488/female 11,071) 15-64 years: 59.1% (male 17,887/female 17,023) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 771/female 831) (2005 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

33.52 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.88 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Micronesian

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

NA

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 29.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Languages [time series]

Marshallese 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census) note: English widely spoken as a second language; both Marshallese and English are official languages

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 70.01 years male: 68.05 years female: 72.06 years (2005 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.7% male: 93.6% female: 93.7% (1999)

Median age [time series]

total: 19.95 years male: 19.98 years female: 19.92 years (2005 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese

Net migration rate [time series]

-5.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Population [time series]

59,071 (July 2005 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.27% (2005 est.)

Religions [time series]

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)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.93 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

claims US territory of Wake Island

Airports [time series]

15 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 64.5 km paved: 64.5 km unpaved: NA km note: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks (2002)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 540 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 16,954,092 GRT/28,176,762 DWT by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 83, cargo 47, chemical tanker 77, combination ore/oil 12, container 88, liquefied gas 16, passenger 8, petroleum tanker 192, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 462 (Australia 1, Bahamas 1, Bermuda 1, Canada 4, Chile 2, Croatia 2, Cyprus 7, Denmark 2, Georgia 1, Germany 124, Greece 106, Hong Kong 7, India 1, Italy 1, Japan 5, Latvia 6, Monaco 9, Netherlands 4, New Zealand 1, Norway 21, Philippines 1, Russia 1, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 2, Slovenia 2, Spain 1, Switzerland 5, Taiwan 1, Turkey 11, Ukraine 1, UAE 3, United Kingdom 15, United States 112) (2005)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Majuro