Internet country code [time series]

.mh

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

3 (2008)

Internet users [time series]

2,200 (2006)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (additionally, the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (Central Pacific Network) operate one FM and one AM station on Kwajalein) (2005)

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 high frequency radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) and mini-satellite telephones international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein (2005)

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

4,500 (2004)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

700 (2005)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

2 (both are US military stations; Marshalls Broadcasting Service, a cable company, operates on Majuro) (2005)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $42 million expenditures: $40 million (1999)

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

US dollar (USD)

Debt - external [time series]

$86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. The Marshall Islands received more than $1 billion in aid from the US from 1986-2002. 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 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 used

Exports [time series]

$9.1 million f.o.b. (2000)

Exports - commodities [time series]

copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish

Exports - partners [time series]

US, Japan, Australia, China (2006)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$144 million (2005)

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: 31.7% industry: 14.9% services: 53.4% (2004 est.)

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

$2,900 (2005 est.)

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

3.5% (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$54.7 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 (2006)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3% (2005 est.)

Labor force [time series]

14,680 (2000)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 21.4% industry: 20.9% services: 57.7% (2000)

Unemployment rate [time series]

30.9% (2000 est.)

Area [time series]

total: 181.3 sq km land: 181.3 sq km water: 0 sq km note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km of lagoon waters and 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 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, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

9 00 N, 168 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

the Marshall Islands Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein atoll, famous as a World War II battleground, surrounds the world's largest lagoon and is used as a US missile test range; the island city of Ebeye is the second largest settlement in the Marshall Islands, after the capital of Majuro, and one of the most densely populated locations in the Pacific

Irrigated land [time series]

0 sq km

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 11.11% permanent crops: 44.44% other: 44.45% (2005)

Location [time series]

Oceania, two archipelagic island chains of 29 atolls, each made up of many small islets, and five single islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and 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]

name: Majuro geographic coordinates: 7 06 N, 171 23 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

1 May 1979

Country name [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Clyde BISHOP 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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Charles A. PAUL 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 Litokwa TOMEING (since 7 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Litokwa TOMEING (since 7 January 2008) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of the legislature elections: president elected by Parliament from among its members for a four-year term; election last held 7 January 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Litokwa TOMEING elected president; TOMEING received 18 votes to 15 for incumbent Kessai Hesa NOTE

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, ADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court; High Court; Traditional Rights Court

Legal system [time series]

based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral legislature or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 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

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 - Aelon Kein Ad Party [Michael 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.

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 15,708 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 12,864 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 512 female: 494 (2008 est.)

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the US

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

no regular military forces; under the 1983 Compact of Free Association, the US has full authority and responsibility for security and defense of the Marshall Islands; Marshall Islands Police (2008)

Military expenditures [time series]

NA

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 38.5% (male 12,404/female 11,946) 15-64 years: 58.6% (male 18,937/female 18,095) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 869/female 923) (2008 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

31.52 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.57 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

11.8% of GDP (2004)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006)

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: 26.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 70.9 years male: 68.88 years female: 73.03 years (2008 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: 21 years male: 21 years female: 20.9 years (2008 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese

Net migration rate [time series]

-5.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Population [time series]

63,174 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.142% (2008 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)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2003)

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: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.68 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

claims US territory of Wake Island

Airports [time series]

15 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 1 (2007)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1,049 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 284, cargo 71, carrier 1, chemical tanker 191, combination ore/oil 4, container 188, liquefied gas 47, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 221, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 14, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 6 foreign-owned: 990 (Australia 1, Bermuda 4, Brazil 1, Canada 6, Chile 4, China 7, Croatia 6, Cyprus 37, Denmark 10, Germany 235, Greece 269, Hong Kong 4, Iceland 3, India 1, Ireland 1, Isle of Man 1, Italy 3, Japan 17, South Korea 10, Latvia 16, Malaysia 3, Mexico 4, Monaco 13, Netherlands 8, Norway 66, Pakistan 1, Panama 1, Romania 1, Russia 9, Saudi Arabia 5, Singapore 18, Slovenia 4, Spain 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 12, Taiwan 1, Turkey 50, UAE 15, UK 9, UK 9, US 123) (2008)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Majuro

Roadways [time series]

total: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007)