World Country Guide

General Information

Area
181.4 sq km (70 sq miles).

Population
50,848 (1999).

Population Density
280.3 per sq km.

Capital
Majuro. Population: 23,682 (1999).

Geography
The Marshall Islands consist of two almost parallel chains of atolls and islands and lie west of the International Date Line. Majuro Atoll is 2285km (1428 miles) west of Honolulu, 1624km (1015 miles) east of Guam and 2624km (1641 miles) southeast of Tokyo. The eastern Ratak (Sunrise) Chain consists of 15 atolls and islands, and the western Ralik (Sunset) Chain consists of 16 atolls and islands. Together these two chains comprise 1152 islands and islets dispersed over more than 1,900,000 sq km (500,000 sq miles) of the central Pacific.

Government
Republic since 1990. Gained self-governing status (in free association with the USA) in 1986. Head of State and Government: President Kessai H Note (since 2000).

Language
Marshallese and English are the official languages.

Religion
Christian, mostly Protestant.

Time
GMT + 12.

Electricity
110 volts AC, 60 Hz. Plugs are US two-pin style.

Communications

Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 692. Outgoing international code: 00. There are international satellite links. In Majuro, dial 625 3399 or 3355 for the hospital; 625 8666 for the fire services; 625 3233 for police; and 625 1411 for general information

Internet
Main ISPs include Ntamar and VPM (website: www.vpm.com). Availabilty and reliability are limited.

Telegram
24-hour telegram facilities are available in Majuro, near the High School in Rita, and in Ebeye. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1700.

Post
US post offices are located in Ebeye, Jaluit and Majuro. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1530, Sat 0900-1545.

Press
The English/Marshallese-language newspaper is the weekly Marshall Islands Journal and the monthly Marshal Islands Gazette.