The Marshall Islands is a group of 5 islands and 29 coral atolls, located in Micronesia – a region in the Pacific Ocean. Each of the atolls is further made up of many islets insomuch that the total number of the islands is more than one thousand. The most important atolls and islands form two groups: the Ratak Chain (meaning "sunrise") and the Ralik Chain (meaning "sunset"). The Marshall Islands have 61 815 inhabitants living mostly on Majuro Atoll and Ebeye Island, which is part of Kwajalein Atoll. World known Bikini Atoll is a place where nuclear weapons were tested between 1946 and 1958. The Marshall Islands look like strings of pearls from the air and that is why they are referred to as the "Pearl of the Pacific".

Landscape

The weather on the Marshall Islands is tropical, with a wet season from May to November; typhoons occure from time to time. The islands are rich in phosphate deposits, marine products and deep seabed minerals. Lately, global warming has been a widely discussed issue because the sea level has been rising and the average altitude of the island is 2 meters. Sixty percent of the land area is covered with coconut palms.

History of the Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands were discovered in 1529 by the Spanish explorer Alonso de Salazar. However, he was not the first man to have set foot on the islands: archeological findings were carbon dated to 2000 BC. The land got its name after the English captain John Marshall who visited them in 1799. Since 1874 to 1885 they were claimed by Spain and then Germany established a protectorate there. At the beginning of the World War I, Japan gained control over the Marshall Islands, which lasted until 1944 when the American army landed on Kwajalein Atoll. After the end of the World War II, the U.S.A. agreed with the United Nations on the administration of the Marshall Islands and launched testing of nuclear weapons. In 1979, the Republic of the Marshall Islands was established.

People and Culture

The Marshallese population is of Micronesian origin. The people are very friendly and peaceful and value their families, friends and culture. Almost all of the people speak Marshallese and English, the official languages. The society is matrilineal and property, including land, is passed down through the mother. Marshallese original diet is simple and consists of fish, breadfruit, pandanus, swamp tare and coconut. The people are also occupied with traditional handicrafts and make woven baskets, fans, hats, wall hangings, mats, coasters, purses and other interesting things. Before the missionaries came, all people used to be tattoed: it symbolised passage from childhood to maturity.

Why are the Marshall Islands worth visiting?

The Marshall Islands offer beautiful nature, breathtaking marine environments and diving, snorkeling and fishing opportunities. Moreover, there are many World War II shipwrecks around the islands waiting for discover and the adventurers.