Facts and figures

Official name Republic of the Marshall Islands
Country code MH
Area 181km2
Population 42,418
Capital city Majuro
Timezone UTC+12
Currency United States dollar (USD)

The ‘Know Your Region’ series is designed to support unit and individual professional military education on the Indo-Pacific region. It’s important for all serving members of our military to have a foundational knowledge of the countries and issues in the Indo-Pacific.

On this page:

  • Summary
  • A short history
  • People and Society
  • Customs and traditions
  • Media and Internet

The Marshall Islands, officially the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), is located in the central Pacific Ocean, roughly halfway between Hawaii and Australia. The country lies just north of the equator and east of the Federated States of Micronesia. It consists of 29 coral atolls and 5 low-lying islands spread across approximately 1.9 million square kilometres of ocean, with a total land area of roughly 181 square kilometres. This makes the Marshall Islands one of the most geographically dispersed countries in the world.

The islands are divided into two main chains: the Ratak (Sunrise) Chain to the east and the Ralik (Sunset) Chain to the west. Each chain consists of long strings of coral atolls formed around submerged volcanic seamounts. Most atolls consist of dozens of small islets surrounding a central lagoon. The lagoons are often deep and expansive, making them historically valuable as natural harbours. The islands are extremely low-lying, with an average elevation of only two metres above sea level. The climate is tropical, with consistently warm temperatures throughout the year. Average temperatures range between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius. The wet season is from May to November and a drier season from December to April.

The population of the Marshall Islands is approximately 43,000 people, with the majority living on the atolls of Majuro (the capital) and Ebeye in Kwajalein Atoll. Majuro is the political, economic, and cultural centre, while Ebeye is one of the most densely populated places in the Pacific due to its proximity to the U.S. military base on Kwajalein. Population distribution is uneven, with many outer islands experiencing population decline due to migration to urban centres or overseas, particularly to the United States.

A short history 

The Marshall Islands were first settled by Micronesian navigators around 2,000 years ago. The early settlers on the islands were highly skilled seafarers who used stars, wave patterns, and stick charts to navigate the vast oceans.

The first recorded European contact occurred in the 16th century when Spanish explorers passed through the region, although sustained contact did not occur until the 18th and 19th centuries, when British and German traders, missionaries, and whalers began to arrive, bringing Christianity and foreign goods. New diseases were also introduced, which had a profound effect on the indigenous population.

In 1885, Germany formally claimed the Marshall Islands as part of its colonial empire. German rule focused on copra production, using coconut plantations to support global trade. While colonial administration was relatively limited, it disrupted traditional systems of authority and introduced a cash economy.

After Germany’s defeat following World War I, the Marshall Islands were transferred to Japan under a League of Nations mandate. Japanese administration expanded infrastructure, education, and economic activity. Japanese settlers arrived in large numbers, and by the 1930s, they outnumbered the indigenous population in some areas.

Although the League of Nations mandate prohibited militarisation, Japan secretly fortified the islands in the lead-up to World War II. They constructed airfields, ports, and defensive installations, transforming the Marshall Islands into a critical part of Japan’s Pacific defence network.

World War II had a devastating impact on the local population. In 1944, US forces launched major offensives against Japanese-held atolls, including Kwajalein and Enewetak. The battles resulted in widespread destruction, civilian displacement, and loss of life. There were often food shortages, people were forced into hard labour and whole villages disappeared. After the war and defeat of the Japanese, the Marshall Islands became part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), administered by the US.

Between 1946 and 1958, the US conducted 67 nuclear tests at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. These tests included some of the most powerful nuclear detonations ever conducted, including the Castle Bravo test in 1954. Entire communities were displaced, and many Marshallese were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. The nuclear testing program caused severe environmental contamination and long-term health problems. Many affected communities were never able to return safely to their ancestral lands.

During the 1960s and 1970s, amidst global decolonisation movements, local leaders pushed for political autonomy, compensation for nuclear testing, and recognition of Marshallese rights. In 1979, the Marshall Islands adopted its own constitution, establishing a self-governing republic. Full independence was achieved in 1986 through a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which came into force after approval by the UN in 1990.

People and society

The Marshallese are part of the broader Micronesian ethnolinguistic group, descended from Austronesian peoples who migrated across the Pacific thousands of years ago. Historically, the Marshall Islands were divided into chiefly domains that spanned multiple atolls; however, the culture remained connected through inter-island voyaging, shared myths, and strong community ties.

The islands’ colonial history, under Spain, Germany, Japan, and the US, introduced new influences but did not fundamentally alter Marshallese identity. Despite forced relocations, nuclear testing, and overseas migration (particularly to the US), Marshallese communities have remained strong and united.

Education and healthcare

Education and healthcare access vary between urban centres and outer islands. While literacy rates are relatively high at 95%, limited resources and geographic isolation pose ongoing challenges for some communities.

Language

The primary language is Kajin M̧ajeļ (Marshallese). There is a slight variation in pronunciation and vocabulary between the East and West island chains. The Marshallese language is important for conveying traditional knowledge, such as medicinal remedies, navigation techniques, and history. Elders play an important role in passing down this knowledge to the younger generation. English is also an official language and is widely spoken in government, education, and commerce.

Religion

Prior to western contact, Marshallese spirituality revolved around ancestor worship, clan spirits, and nature deities. With the arrival of missionaries during the mid‑19th century, Christianity rapidly became the dominant religion and is today an important part of everyday life.

National Psyche

Marshallese society is built around kinship, clan affiliation, and a traditional system of chiefs. The main social unit is the bwij, or matrilineal clan, in which descent is traced through the mother. Land is the core of Marshallese identity and is carefully managed.

Central to Marshallese society is the principle of sharing. Food, shelter, and resources are traditionally shared among extended family members and neighbours, reflecting a cultural belief that survival and well-being depend on collective responsibility rather than individual accumulation. This communal ethic is most evident during major life events such as first-birthday celebrations, weddings, and funerals, where entire communities contribute labour, food, and gifts.

Traditionally, men and women held complementary roles. Men were responsible for fishing, sailing and protecting the clan while women were responsible for preparing food, weaving, and family decision-making. Modernisation has reshaped gender dynamics, with increasing participation of Marshallese women in education, politics, and global advocacy (especially around climate change and nuclear justice).

Customs and traditions

Traditional Marshallese customs remain important, particularly in relation to land and social relationships.

Storytelling

Storytelling (Bwebwenato) is the primary means of transmitting knowledge from one generation to the next. Stories focus on history, spiritual teaching, and traditional customs such as wayfinding. This oral tradition captures the community’s shared memories, values, and ancestorial wisdom, reinforcing social cohesion and unity.

Stories recount the origins of islands, heroic voyages of navigators, genealogies, and moral lessons that guide social behaviour. These narratives are often shared during evening gatherings, mourning periods, or communal events.

Weaving

Mat weaving (also known as Jaki) is primarily undertaken by women and requires considerable skill and patience. These mats function as symbols of respect, honour, and status. Finely woven mats, referred to as jaki-ed, are exchanged during important ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, adoptions, and first-birthday celebrations.

Festivals and events

Several festivals and events mark the cultural calendar of the Marshall Islands. Liberation Day, celebrated on February 1, marks the end of Japanese occupation during World War II and the beginning of American administration. The day is filled with parades, traditional dances, canoe races, and communal feasts, reflecting national pride. Other events include Manit Day (celebration of Marshallese cultural heritage) celebrated in September, as well as various jubilees.

The celebration of a child’s first birthday (kemem) is one of the most significant social events in Marshallese life. The tradition stems from past high infant mortality rates. The kemem marks a child’s survival beyond the first year and symbolises hope for the future. These celebrations are often large and elaborate, involving extended family, church communities, and neighbours.

Media and Internet

Radio is the most accessible and widely used medium, with national and community radio stations providing news, weather updates, public announcements, religious programming, and educational content in both Marshallese and English. Print media, including newspapers published in Majuro, serves a more limited audience due to costs and distribution challenges, but remains important for government communication and public discourse. Churches also function as informal media hubs, disseminating information through sermons and community gatherings.

The internet and use of social media have become increasingly popular, particularly among urban residents and youth, although access remains uneven. In Majuro and Ebeye, mobile phones and internet services are reliable, providing an important connection with the Marshallese diaspora, especially in the US. Connectivity in outer islands is often limited by infrastructure constraints, cost, and reliability. This has created a digital divide within the country.

For more general information on the Marshall Islands, see the resources below:

Videos

Articles