Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands is an island country in the central Pacific Ocean, made up of 29 atolls and 5 individual coral islands. Its territory is spread across a vast area of ocean, north of the equator, and the islands are grouped into two roughly parallel chains: the Ratak Chain to the east and the Ralik Chain to the west. Majuro, built on Majuro Atoll, is the capital and the country's main administrative and population centre. Most of the land consists of narrow, low-lying coral islands surrounding lagoons.

Their elevation is generally only a few metres above sea level, while the surrounding reefs form important marine habitats. The climate is tropical and strongly influenced by the ocean. Rainfall varies from north to south, with the northern atolls generally drier than those farther south. Fresh water is limited, and many communities depend on rainwater collection and underground freshwater lenses for their supplies. The ocean plays a central role in life in the Marshall Islands.

Fishing provides food and income, while coral reefs and lagoons support diverse marine ecosystems. The country's low elevation also makes it highly vulnerable to coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion and sea-level rise associated with climate change. These changes can affect homes, roads, crops and freshwater resources, so adaptation and coastal protection are important national concerns. The islands also have a distinctive history shaped by their position in the Pacific.

During the twentieth century, several atolls, including Bikini and Enewetak, were used by the United States for nuclear weapons testing, leaving long-term environmental and social consequences. Today, the Marshall Islands is an independent republic in free association with the United States. Its widely scattered islands form a country whose geography, culture and economy remain closely connected to the surrounding Pacific Ocean.