Aolepn Aorkin Majel Model: Mh
Republic of the Marshall Islands (fr)
Marshall Islands (fr)
Arms of the Marshall Islands ( Flag of the Marshall Islands ) ( Arms of the Marshall Islands )
National motto : None
Official Languages	Marshallese , English
Capital	Dalap-Uliga-Darrit 9 N, 168 E
Largest urban	Dalap-Uliga-Darrit
Form of State	Republic
- President	Jurelang Zedkaia
Area - Total - Water (%)	Ranked 186th 181 km 2 Negligible
Population - Total ( 2008 ) - Density	Ranked 186th 63 174 hab. 349 inhabitants / km 2
Independence - Termination of guardianship of U.S.	21 October 1986
Demonym	Marshallese
Currency	U.S. Dollar ( USD )
Time Zone	UTC 12
National anthem	Forever Marshall Islands
Internet domain	. Mh
Indicative Telephone	+692

The Marshall Islands, Marshall Islands or the Marshall, in the long form Republic of the Marshall Islands or the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Marshallese and in English and are a state of Micronesia.

This archipelago located in the eastern Caroline Islands , north of the Gilbert Islands and the southern island of Wake Island consists of volcanic and atoll reefs , and he became known worldwide as the site of nuclear test (underground and overhead) of the United States in the years 1950 and 1960.

Summary 1 History 2 Policy 3 Subdivisions 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Culture 8 Codes 9 Notes and references 10 See also 10.1 External link

/ / History

We know little about the ancient history of these islands. 5000 years ago (3000 BC.), Inhabitants of the coast of China , South cultivators of millet and rice, are beginning to cross the strait to settle in Taiwan. Around 2000 BC, migration takes place from Taiwan to the Philippines. New migration from the Philippines to begin soon Sulawesi and Timor , and from there to other islands in the archipelago of Indonesia. Around 1500 BC. AD, another movement conducts Philippines in New Guinea and beyond, the islands of the Pacific. The Austronesian are probably the first navigators in the history of mankind.

In 1525 , the explorer Spanish Alonso de Salazar was the first European to see the Ralik and Ratak, but they are very rarely visited until 1788 , when British Captain John Marshall through them again by chance, together with Captain Thomas Gilbert. But the admiral is Estonian , in the service of the Tsar, Johann Adam von Kruzenstern , which gives them their modern name of Marshall Islands in 1820, confirmed the same year by the French captain Louis Isidore Duperrey.

A German trading company colonize the islands in 1885 , and they incorporate the protectorate of German New Guinea some years later. On 3 October 1914 , the Japanese landed on these islands and administer the mandated territory as granted by the League of Nations on 17 December 1920.

During the Second World War , some of the atolls are at stake in fierce fighting between U.S. and Japanese forces. The United States invaded the islands ( 23 February 1944 ) that are under their tutelage in 1947 ( July 18 ). By the end of the war, the United States began to conduct nuclear tests , which continue until the 1960's. Many Marshallese suffer high levels of radiation and radioactive claims for compensation are still ongoing. ^Politics

The political system of the Marshall Islands is constitutional type. The President of the Marshall Islands is both head of state and head of government. The president is elected from and by members of parliament (Nitijela) appoints his own cabinet.

Subdivisions

Administratively, the Marshall Islands are divided into 33 municipalities: Ailinginae , Ailinglaplap , Ailuk , Arno , Aur , Bikar , Bikini , Bokak , Ebon , Eniwetok , Erikub , Jabat , Jaluit , Jemo , Kili , Kwajalein , Lae , Lib , Likiep , Majuro , Maloelap , Mejit , Mili , Namorik , Namu , Rongelap , Rongerik , Toke , Ujae , Ujelang , Utirik , Wotho and Wotje.

Geography

The country consists of 30 atolls and about 1100 islands, the largest two groups are arranged in parallel chain: the islands Ratak (rising sun) consists of eighteen major islands and east where the administrative center Majuro , the islands and Ralik (sunset) consists of fourteen islands located in the West whose Bikini , Eniwetok and Kwajalein , the largest atoll in the world (taking into account the inner lagoon).

Two-thirds of the population living on Majuro atoll, where the capital, and Ebeye. The outer islands are sparsely populated because of low employment opportunities and economic development.

The climate is hot and humid with a rainy season from May to November. The islands are sometimes in the path of hurricanes.

Economy

Government support of the United States is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. Under the Compact of Free Association, the U.S. provided approximately 65 million in annual aid. Agricultural production is carried out mainly in small farms. Agricultural products marketed most important are the coconut , the tomatoes , the melons and fruits of the breadfruit.

The industry is limited to handicrafts and processing of fish and copra. The industry of tourism , which is currently a small source of foreign exchange and employs less than 10% of the workforce, has great potential. The islands have few natural resources , and imports far exceed the exports.

In 1999 , negotiations were underway for an extended agreement with the United States. The downsizing of government, drought, a drop in construction and the decline in tourism and foreign investment due to Asian financial difficulties have reduced the GDP in 1996-1998.

The Marshall Islands are among the flags of convenience.

Demographics

The Marshallese are the origin of Micronesians who migrated from Oceania (south-east of the Solomon Islands or north of Vanuatu probably) there are several thousands of years (2000 years). Although English is an official language and is widely spoken, the Marshallese are employed by the government. The Marshall Islands is an Austronesian language family and group Pacific , Micronesian subgroup (formerly called Malayo-Polynesian ). We are two dialects: Ratak and Ralik corresponding to the two main islands.

Virtually all Marshallese are Christian , most of them are Protestants.

Culture

The Marshallese were once navigators who used the stars and primitive maps made of sticks and shells to head to the sea, they were also very experienced in the manufacture of canoes outrigger.

In the past, the art of tattooing was particularly developed in the Marshall Islands; they covered a large part of the body of individuals, so much so that in October 1529 , when the expedition of Alvaro de Saavedra, the return of Philippines , landed on an atoll northwest of the islands, the Spaniards were so impressed by the tattoos of the natives they named the whole group of islands Los Pintados (the "painted") and brought back a few to show to the court.

Public Holidays

Date	Name	Notes

Codes

The Marshall Islands are codes:

• MH , according to the standard ISO 3166-1 (list of country codes), code alpha-2
• MH , according to the list of international codes of plates ,
• . Mh , according to the list of Internet TLDs (Top Level Domain)
• MHL , according to the standard ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 (list of country codes)
• MHL , according to the list of country codes used by NATO , code alpha-3,
• according to the list of country codes used by NATO , the Marshall Islands have no alpha-2 code,
• V7 , according to the list of prefixes ICAO aircraft registration ,

References

See also

• Ivy (Nuke)
• Nuclear Tests

External link

• Category Marshall Islands directory dmoz