Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands consist of 29 atolls and five low islands spread between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea. The Ratak (sunrise) chain lies east of the Ralik (sunset) chain. Majuro Atoll hosts the capital and international airport, while Kwajalein houses a U.S. missile defense range. Coral reefs support reef fish, clams, and sea turtles, and underwater wrecks from World War II attract divers. Atolls rise only a few meters above sea level, making them vulnerable to storms and rising tides.

Marshallese ancestors navigated by stars, swells, and stick charts for more than 2,000 years. Spain claimed the islands in the 1500s, Germany administered them in the 1800s, and Japan controlled them until World War II. After the war, the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests at Bikini and Enewetak between 1946 and 1958, displacing communities and causing long-term health impacts. The country adopted a constitution in 1979 and signed a Compact of Free Association in 1986, gaining self-governance while receiving financial assistance and defense guarantees.

The Marshall Islands is a presidential republic with a Nitijela (parliament) elected by voters across the atolls. Senators select the president from among themselves, and a Council of Iroij (chiefs) advises on customary matters. Local atoll councils manage water, waste, and lagoon management, while national ministries oversee education, transportation, and climate policy. The country established a National Nuclear Commission to seek reparations and document stories from survivors.

The economy depends on fishing licenses, copra production, government services, U.S. military leases, and remittances. Marshallese seafarers work abroad, sending income home. Renewable-energy projects install solar panels on schools and adopt coconut oil biodiesel to reduce fuel imports. The government invests in seawalls, rainwater harvesting, and relocation plans for severely eroding neighborhoods. Scientists study coral resilience in Bikini Atoll's restricted lagoon to inform restoration elsewhere.

Marshallese culture highlights weaving, canoe carving, and storytelling. Women weave fine mats and pandanus handicrafts, while men build outriggers for racing events. Music mixes ukulele, drums, and modern instruments, and youth perform stick-dance routines at Independence Day parades. Food includes breadfruit, pandanus, coconut crab, and bwiro fermented breadfruit. Students learn Marshallese and English, join robotics clubs funded by diaspora donations, and document elders' testimonies about nuclear history and climate change.