Marshall Islands

Politics:

• Background

  Marshall Islands: Politics

  FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

  The Marshall Islands are in free association with the US

  The Marshall Islands achieved independence in free association with the US under a Compact of Free Association in 1986. Legislative authority is vested in the 33-member nitijela (the legislature). The members, known as senators, are elected for four-year terms by popular vote. From among its members the nitijela elects the president, who then chooses members to join the cabinet. There are ten ministers in the present cabinet. The nitijela is advised by the House of Iroij, comprising 12 iroij, or high chiefs. The current president, Litokwa Tomeing, was instated in January 2008 after legislative elections in November 2007.

  US defence considerations are important

  The Compact of Free Association ensured that the US had continued access to Kwajalein atoll, which is a major military base for missile-tracking. The nuclear weapons tests conducted by the US on the islands in 1946-62 made some areas uninhabitable and caused a wide range of radiation-related health problems among the population. A US$150m compensation fund provided by the US is nearly depleted. The Marshall Islands is pressing the US government for some US$3bn in additional compensation. Kwajalein is still used by the US military for the testing of non-nuclear missiles.

  An amended compact was agreed in 2003

  The Compact of Free Association commits the US to providing substantial economic aid totalling around US$800m over 20 years until 2023. At the end of this period, US financial assistance will end and the Marshall Islands will have to rely on the proceeds of a Trust Fund that has been set up. The US government has offered to pay an additional US$2.3bn in return for guaranteed access to the Kwajalein missile range by the US military for the next 63 years. However, the Kwajalein landowners' association, which represents indigenous landowners, has rejected the offer and the matter remains unresolved.

  November 24, 2009

Economy:

• Background

  Marshall Islands: Resources and infrastructure

  FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

  Population growth poses many future problems

  The country is made up of two almost parallel chains of islands, the Ratak (Sunrise) and Ralik (Sunset) groups, containing 29 coral atolls (with many small islets) and five islands. There is a land area of about 181 sq km. The population, which was estimated at 63,174 in July 2008, is concentrated in the two main urban areas of Majuro, the capital and main commercial centre, and Ebeye, and rapid population growth is a rising concern. The education system is based on the US school system, but only 25% of students proceed beyond primary level because of inadequate resources and teaching.

  Most of the more populous islands have sealed or concrete roads; others have roads finished with stones or crushed coral. There is a wide range of shipping services to the US, Japan and other Pacific island countries, and the government operates a lucrative offshore shipping register, with 853 vessels on its books at end-2005. There are 12 deep-water docks for large ocean ships and two international airports, plus airstrips scattered throughout the country. Continental Micronesia provides air services from Hawaii and Guam, and Air Marshall Islands flies to the outer atolls.

  November 24, 2009

Country Briefing

FROM THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT

Land area

180 sq km

Population

63,174 (July 2008 estimate)

Major islands

Majuro and Ebeye

Capital

Majuro

Climate

Tropical

Weather in Majuro

Temperatures average 27°C. Average rainfall is 2,030 mm. The rainy period is September to November

Languages

English (official language); two Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family; Japanese

Measures

Imperial

Currency

US dollar

Time

12 hours ahead of GMT

November 24, 2009