History
The Marshall Islands were claimed by Spain in l592, but were left basically undisturbed by the Spanish Empire for 300 years. In l885, Germany took over the administration of the Marshall Islands and located trading stations on the islands of Jaluit and Ebon to carry out the flourishing copra (dried coconut meat) trade. Marshallese iroij (chiefs) continued to rule under indirect colonial German administration.

At the beginning of the First World War, Japan assumed control of the Marshall Islands, first under civil and then a naval administration. Japan's headquarters remained at Jaluit.

United States Marines and soldiers with naval and air support took control from the Japanese in early l944 following intense fighting on Kwajalein and Enewetak atolls. In l947, the United States entered into agreement with the United Nations Security Council to administer the former Japanese mandate, of which the Marshalls were a part, known as the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

In recognition of the evolving political status, on May l, l979, the United States recognized the Constitution of the Marshall Islands and the establishment of the Government of the Marshall Islands (RMI).

Political Status
The Government of Marshall Islands and the Government of the United States signed the final version of the Compact of Free Association on June 25, l983. President Reagan signed the Compact into law on January l4, l986, (Public Law 99-239). The Compact entered into force for the Marshall Islands on October 2l, l986, (see Presidential Proclamation No. 5564).

The status of free association recognizes the Marshall Islands as a sovereign, self-governing state with the capacity to conduct foreign affairs consistent with the terms of the Compact. The Compact places full responsibility for the Marshall Islands' defense with the United States.

The basic relationship of free association continues indefinitely; the economic provisions of the Compact are subject to renegotiation at the end of 15 years.

A major subsidiary agreement of the Compact with the Marshall Islands allows the United States continued use in Kwajalein Atoll of the U.S. Army missile test range for up to thirty years. Kwajalein consists of some ninety islands surrounding the largest lagoon in the world. Under a lease agreement with Marshall Islands Government, the U.S. Department of Defense uses the atoll and controls some of its islands.

Another major subsidiary agreement of the Compact provides for settlement of all claims arising out of the nuclear testing programs which the United States conducted at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls from l946 to l958. The U.S. Congress provides most of the Compact funding through the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Under the Compact, the State Department is responsible for government-to-government relations, while Interior is responsible for the oversight and coordination of U.S. programs and funding assistance.

Government
The legislative branch of the government is made up of the Nitijela (parliament) with an advisory council of Iroij (high chiefs). The Nitijela has thirty-three members from twenty-five districts who are elected for concurrent four-year terms. Members of the Nitijela bear the title of senator.

The executive branch is under the leadership of the President, who is elected by the Nitijelafrom among its membership. Cabinet members are selected by the President also from the Nitijela. The Honorable Amata Kabua was elected as the first President of the Marshall Islands in l979 and was subsequently re-elected to four-year terms in l984, l988, 1992, and 1996. A 1928 native of Jauit Atoll and one of the Marshall Islands’ three iroij laplap or paramount chiefs, President Kabua continued in office until November 13, 1996, when he was medi-vac’ed from Majuro to Honolulu. He died in Honolulu on December 20, 1996, at Queen’s Hospital. The Honorable Imata Kabua was elected President on January 14, 1997. The current president is the Honorable Kessai Note. (Current Administration)

The Republic of the Marshall Islands has four court systems: Supreme Court, High Court, District and Community Courts, and Traditional Rights Courts. Trial is by jury. Jurisdiction of the Traditional Rights Court is limited to cases involving titles or land rights and other disputes arising from customary law and traditional practice.

The Marshall Islands Ambassador to the United States is the Honorable Banny DeBrum and the United States Ambassador to the Marshall Islands is the Honorable Greta N. Morris.

Geography
The Marshall Islands is part of the geographic region known as Micronesia, or "Little Islands," a myriad of more than 2,l00 coral atolls and volcanic islands scattered across three million square miles of the western Pacific Ocean. Each atoll is a cluster of many small islands circling a lagoon. None of these islands is more than a few meters above sea level. Total land area is 70 square miles. The capital is Majuro, which lies some 2,300 miles southwest of Honolulu and nearly 2,000 miles southeast of Guam.

The weather in the Marshall Islands is tropical and sunny. The average year-round temperature is 8l degrees Fahrenheit. The typhoon season is from December to March.

Population
Based on the 1999 census, the population of the Marshall Islands is 50,840 with 25,000+ living in Majuro.

Culture
The Marshallese culture revolves around a complex clan system. Traditionally, the sea was the major source of food and a thoroughfare among the atolls. The pull of the sea is still strong among both the elder men and youth. Efforts to regain a sense of the ancient traditions is becoming a high priority for many Marshallese, and the government is increasingly supportive of them.

Both Marshallese and English are official languages. English is spoken by most of the urban population. However, both the Nitijela and the national radio use Marshallese. Outside the urban areas, English language usage and fluency is limited. Marshallese is a dialect of the Malayo-Polynesian family.

Economy
Gross domestic product (GDP) at market prices was an estimated US $105.3 million in 1995 with real GDP growing at an average of 2.7 percent annually over the 1991-1995 period. More than two-thirds of GDP was derived from trade and services, predominately those provided by government. Collectively, agriculture, fishing and manufacturing produced only one-sixth of GDP. Central government expenditures were US $95.9 million in the fiscal year ending in September 1995 with capital expenditures accounting for 30% as compared to 13% in FY 94. Financing of government spending came from grants ($48.5 million mostly U.S.Compact funding), domestic tax and non-tax ($36.0 million), and deficit financing ($11.4million).

           

Marshall Islands Gross Domestic Product (Current Prices) by Sector for FY 2001(thousands)
Agriculture	$10,296.1
Mining and Quarrying	291.4
Manufacturing	4,489.5
Electric, Gas & Water	3,402.2
Construction	11,314.1
Wholesale, Retail, Restaurant & Hotel	16.937.3
Transport, Storage & Communications	5,044.8
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Business Services	15,458.2
Community, Social & Personal Services	31,043.6
TOTAL	$98,277.2

                                                            Sources: L.N. Perera Report on RMI Gross Domestic Product and Sector Accounts South Pacific Forum Secretariat, EPPSO.

Transportation
Continental Micronesia serves Majuro and Kwajalein with flights three times a week from Honolulu to Guam, and three return flights from Guam to Honolulu. Air Marshall Islands to Honolulu serves points within the Marshall Islands, as well as Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Fiji.

Health Services
Majuro has a government hospital. The U.S. Public Health Service currently provides a dentist. A second major community health center is located at Ebeye in the Kwajalein Atoll. Each outer island community has a health assistant connected by marine high frequency radio to the main center in Majuro. Preventive health care has become the main priority of the ministry.

Education
The public school system provides education up through grade l2. However, only 33 percent of the students proceed beyond the elementary levels, because of class room shortages and inadequate instruction. Elementary schools use a bilingual curriculum, but English is almost non-existent especially in the outer islands. The secondary schools formally teach in English, but Marshallese is the most commonly-used medium of instruction because of lack of fluency in English by most of the students.

Land Ownership
The family clans own the land and pass it down matrilineally. Virtually no transfer or sale of land takes place with people outside the various clans. Land usually may not be bought by non-Marshallese, but long leases are quite common.

Travel Requirements
U.S. citizens traveling to the Marshall Islands must have proof of citizenship (a passport or birth certificate). Travel for less than 30 days does not require prior entry permission. Travel longer than 30 days must be approved prior to entry by the Marshall Islands Immigration Office (in Majuro, Marshall Islands 96960). Non-U.S. citizens must have a valid passport. Persons who wish to visit Ebeye or other islands of Kwajalein atoll must have authority from the Marshall Islands Government. Separate authority from the U.S. Department of Defense is needed to visit the U.S. military facility on Kwajalein Island.

Pet Quarantine
Pets must be taken to the Port of entry for inspections and/or admittance without prior quarantine on route, e.g. in Honolulu. Up-to-date immunization records must be presented to the inspector of the Marshall Islands Government upon arrival to the Port of Entry. If the records are current with its immunizations and other material requirements, the pet will be admitted to the Marshall Islands without any on-island quarantine.

Emergency Contact
Contact the American Embassy, Majuro, MH 96960 at 011 (692) 247-4011.

Currency
The U.S. dollar is the currency used in the Marshall Islands.

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