Marshall Islands General Information Area: 181.4 sq km (70 sq miles). Population: 50,840 (1999). Population Density: 280.3 per sq km. Capital: Majuro. Population: 31,261 (1999). GEOGRAPHY: The Marshall Islands consist of two almost parallel chains of atolls and islands and lie west of the International Date Line. Majuro Atoll is 2285km (1428 miles) west of Honolulu, 1624km (1015 miles) east of Guam and 2624km (1641 miles) southeast of Tokyo. The eastern Ratak (Sunrise) Chain consists of 15 atolls and islands, and the western Ralik (Sunset) Chain consists of 16 atolls and islands. Together these two chains comprise 1152 islands and islets dispersed over more than 1,900,000 sq km (500,000 sq miles) of the central Pacific. Government: Republic since 1990. Gained self-governing status (in free association with the USA) in 1986. Head of State and Government: President Kessai H Note (since 2000). Language: Marshallese and English are the official languages. Religion: Christian, mostly Protestant. Time: GMT + 12. Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60 Hz. Plugs are US two-pin style. Communications:   Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 692. Outgoing international code: 00. There are international satellite links. In Majuro, dial (625) 3399 or (625) 3355 for the hospital; (625) 3183 for the fire services; (625) 3666 for police; and 411 for general information. Internet Main ISPs include VPM (website: www.vpm.com) and Ntamar (website: www.ntamar.com). Availabilty and reliability are limited. Telegram 24-hour telegram facilities are available in Majuro, near the High School in Rita, and in Ebeye. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1300-1700. Post US post offices are located in Majuro, Jaluit and Ebeye. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1530, Sat 0800-1200. Press The English-language newspaper is the weekly Marshall Islands Journal. Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes Yes Yes Australian Yes Yes Yes Canadian Yes Yes Yes USA Yes No No OtherEU Yes Yes Yes Japanese Yes Yes Yes PASSPORTS: Passports valid for at least one year from date of arrival are required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) nationals of USA; (b) nationals of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau. Note: Tourist visas are issued on arrival. It may be necessary to obtain a transit visa for the USA first, as flights to the Marshall Islands are via Hawaii or Guam. Contact an airline such as Continental Micronesia or Air Marshall Islands for further information. All visitors require proof of adequate funds and return or onward tickets. Visitors travelling from infected areas and intending to stay for more than 30 days may require a vaccination certificate – see Health section for details. Types of visa and cost: Tourist: Free (up to 30 days); US$25 (up to 90 days). Business: US$50. Validity: 30 days; extensions for up to 90 days are available upon arrival in the Marshall Islands. Application to: For stays exceeding 30 days, apply to: Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General, PO Box 890, Majuro, Marshall Islands 96960 (tel: 635 8495; fax: 625 5218). Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Completed incoming passenger card (available on board ship/aircraft). (c) Return or onward ticket. (d) Sufficient funds to cover stay. (e) For those intending to stay for more than 90 days, an AIDS certificate is required. Contact the Chief of Immigration for latest information. Working days required: By post: applications are dealt with on receipt. Temporary residence: Apply to Attorney General (address above). Money For details of currency, credit & debit cards, traveller’s cheques, exchange rate indicators and banking hours, see Pacific Islands of Micronesia section. Currency exchange: The banks of the Marshall Islands, Hawaii and Guam have branches on Majuro; those of the Marshall Islands and Guam have branches on Ebeye; and that of Guam has a branch on Kwajalein. Currency restrictions: There are no limits on the import and export of local and foreign currency, subject to declaration of amounts exceeding US$5000. Duty Free The following items may be imported into the Marshall Islands by passengers without incurring customs duty: 600 cigarettes or 454g of cigars or tobacco; 2l of alcoholic beverages (alcohol for passengers over 21 years of age only). Prohibited items: Firearms, ammunition, drugs and pornographic materials are not permitted. Birds, animals, fruit and plants need certification from the Quarantine Division of the Ministry of Resources and Development. Coral, turtle shells and certain other natural resources cannot be exported. Any artefacts or objects of historical value cannot be taken out of the country. Public Holidays Dec 4 Gospel Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Mar 1 Memorial and Nuclear Victims’ Remembrance Day. May 1 Constitution Day. Jul 4 Fishermen’s Day. Sep 1 Rijerbal (Labour) Day. Sep 30 Manin (Custom) Day. Oct 21 Compact Day. Nov 17 President’s Day. Dec 4 Gospel Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Mar 1 Memorial and Nuclear Victims’ Remembrance Day. May 1 Constitution Day. Jul 4 Fishermen’s Day. Sep 1 Rijerbal (Labour) Day. Sep 30 Manin (Custom) Day. Oct 21 Compact Day. Nov 17 President’s Day. Dec 4 Gospel Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Note: Separate holidays occur from island to island. Health Yellow fever certificates and cholera vaccinations are required by all travellers arriving from infected areas. Vaccination against Hepatitis A, B, typhoid, tetanus and diphtheria may be advised. Health care: Majuro has one private clinic and one public hospital. Ebeye has a public hospital. Most outer islands have medical dispensaries. Travel - International AIR: Air Marshall Islands (CW) provides regular scheduled internal flights to ten of the atolls in the Marshall Islands and has planes available for charter. Flights are available between Honolulu and the Marshall Islands and to Fiji via Kiribati and Tuvalu. Continental Micronesia (CS) stops in Majuro and Kwajalein on its island-hopper service between Guam and Honolulu. Aloha Airlines also runs flights to the islands. Continental Airlines (CO) also offers weekly flights to and from Honolulu and Guam. Approximate flight times: From New York to Majuro is 14 hours; from Tokyo it is 11, from Guam is it 8 hours to Majuro and 5 hours from Honolulu. International airports: Majuro International Airport (MAJ). There are taxis and hotel transport from the airport to the town. Departure tax: US$20 on international flights. SEA: The international port is Majuro. Shipping lines servicing the Marshalls include Matson Lines, Daiwa Lines, Tiger Lines, Nauru Pacific Line and Philippine, Micronesia & Orient Line. Four government-owned field ships connect the islands within the Marshalls on a regular schedule. Comfortable passenger cabins are available on these ships and arrangements can be made for charter trips. Cruise: Royal Viking Line sometimes calls at Majuro port, but not on a regular basis. Inter-island cruises are available. Boats can be rented from companies on the islands for sightseeing, diving tours, picnics, game fishing, snorkelling, water-skiing and other boating activities. ROAD: All the main roads are paved. Driving is on the left. The minimum age is 18. Taxi: Plentiful and cheap. Generally used on a seat-sharing basis. Car hire: These are usually Japanese sedans. Companies include Deluxe Car Rental, Majuro, MH 96960 (tel: (625) 3665; fax: (625) 3663). Documentation: A national driving licence is valid for 30 days. Accommodation There is a variety of first-class and budget hotels and some islands have guest-houses. Restaurant and bar facilities are available in the more deluxe hotels. CAMPING: Facilities are available on Majuro and various other islands. For further information, contact the Visitors Authority (see Contact Addresses section). Introduction Many of the atolls are dotted with Flame of the Forest, hibiscus and different-coloured plumeria flowers. There are also at least 160 species of coral surrounding the islands. The uninhabited atolls are noted for their coconut and papaya plantations and for pandanus and breadfruit trees. The first stop in the Marshall Islands should be either Majuro or Ebeye, although visits to outer islands can be arranged. The former capital Jaluit (its name meaning both ‘come here’ and ‘beautiful’) boasts some of the best scuba diving and marine life among the islands. There are Sunday day-trips to Mili or Maloelap atolls where there are opportunities to snorkel over World War II wrecks, eat local food and watch dancing. There are also many historic sites and buildings. The Alele Museum (‘alele’ meaning a traditional Marshallese basket) has preserved the history and local traditions of the Marshallese culture (tel: (625) 3372 or 3550; fax: (625) 3226; e-mail: alele@ntamar.com). The Visitors Authority can provide information on various other sites. Sport & Activities Watersports: Opportunities for diving include drop-offs, coral heads, black coral and World War II wrecks. Fishing expeditions can be arranged by local hotels or the Marshalls Billfish Club (tel: (625) 7491). The club also organises monthly fishing tournaments. For further information, consult the Marshall Islands Journal or the Visitors Authority. Other: Basketball, volleyball, softball and tennis are the favourite sports. Children play many indigenous games using local materials. Social Profile Food & Drink: There are several restaurants in Majuro, serving US, Western, Chinese and Marshallese specialities. Consumption of alcohol is forbidden on some of the islands. Nightlife: There are several nightclubs on Majuro and Ebeye and some hotels offer traditional dancing. Shopping: Special purchases include kili handbags woven by former residents of Bikini, stick charts (once used to navigate long distances between the region’s scattered islands), plaited floor mats, fans, purses, shell necklaces and baskets. There is three per cent sales tax in Majuro. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700. Special Events: For a full list of special events and festivals taking place in the Marshall Islands, contact the Visitors Authority (see Contact Addresses). The following is a small selection of the festivals and other special events celebrated in 2003: May Outrigger Marshall Islands Cup Traditional Canoe Race. May 1 Constitution Day Sporting Events and Parade. Jul Billfish Tournament (fishing tournament). Sep Mobil All Micronesia Fishing Tournament. Dec Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. Social Conventions: Informal dress is usual for both business and social occasions. Scanty clothing (including topless bathing) is considered offensive. Use of islands, paths, beaches etc may require permission in many areas; it is best to check locally. Tipping: Unnecessary. Business Profile Economy: The economy suffers many of the problems faced by the small, remote island states of the Pacific. Aid subventions from the USA remain essential, while repeated and diverse attempts to broaden the base of the economy have met with mixed success. Agriculture is of a subsistence nature, with coconuts, tomatoes, melons and breadfruit as the main products. The fishing industry is dominated by a commercial tuna operation, which includes canning and transhipment. Earnings from the islands’ international shipping registry are now significant: many shipping operators reflagged from Panama after the political turmoil there at the end of the 1980s. The Government had high hopes for a major tourist development, but these have been scaled down following the economic downturn in the Asia-Pacific region and the remote location of the islands may yet serve to undermine these efforts. There is also an important offshore financial services industry. However, in April 2002, the Marshall islands were one of seven countries ‘named and shamed’ by the Organisation for Economic co-operation and development, which has spearheaded a global assault on money-laundering, for their failure to tackle the issue. The USA provides around US$65 million annually in aid. The Marshall Islands is a member of the South Pacific Commission and the South Pacific Forum. Commercial Information: For further information contact the Majuro Chamber of Commerce, Majuro MH 96960 (tel: 625 4081). Climate Tropical, with cooling sea breezes and frequent rain. Trade winds blow steadily from the northeast from December through to March. Wettest months are usually October to November. The average temperature is 27°C (80°F). Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens with rainwear. History and Government History: The Marshall Islands were first sighted by European explorers, including Magellan, in the early 1500s. Portuguese and Spanish influences prevailed until the middle of the 19th century, when German trading interests brought the islands and its indigenous inhabitants under German colonial control. In 1914, upon the outbreak of World War I, the islands were occupied by the Japanese; their takeover was recognised in 1920, by a ‘mandate to administer’ issued by the League of Nations (forerunner of the United Nations). Several large military bases were built and Japan claimed the islands as a colony in 1938. The islands were then captured by US forces, during the course of the World War II Pacific campaign, in 1944. In 1947, the Marshall Islands were incorporated by the United Nations into its Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and placed under US administration – initially the US Navy then, from 1951, a civilian administration. Like the Japanese before them, the US used the islands as a strategic military base, training area and ultimately as a nuclear test site. Nuclear testing became a major political issue over the following decades. From the mid-1960s, the islanders became increasingly assertive, adopting the Congress for Micronesia as the main focus for debate and dissent. During the 1970s, the gradual process of dismantling the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands – Palau, the Northern Marianas, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshalls – began, as internal self-government was granted and negotiations on full independence got underway. In 1983, the Marshall Islands assembly (the Nitijela) agreed the Compact of Free Association with the US government, which set down the terms under which the Marshall Islands would become a sovereign self-governing nation. The USA retained responsibility for the defence and security of the islands, also setting down guidelines for the conduct of the Marshalls’ future foreign policy. US$30 million annual aid has been provided by Washington, in exchange for the continued use of existing military bases. (The original 15-year period covering that part of the agreement has since been extended). The Marshalls now belong to the South Pacific Forum, the main regional grouping, and in 1991 were admitted to the UN. Until his death in 1996, Amata Kabua – who was elected to five consecutive terms as president from 1979 – was the dominant political figure on the atoll after independence. The main issues facing successive governments have been the legacy of the nuclear testing and the state of the economy. Extensive nuclear testing, especially on the Kwajalein Atoll, has resulted in long-term damage to islanders’ health and to the environment. The extent and nature of compensation and restitution – in the form of environmental improvement and healthcare – remain sore points in relations between the Marshalls and the USA. Following the death of Amata Kabua, his cousin, Imata Kabua, was elected as his successor in January 1997. Nevertheless, at the most recent elections, held at the end of 1999, the presidential race was won by Kessai Note, who leads a bloc associated with the United Democratic Party, although, officially, no political parties are represented in the Nitijela. Government: Under the terms of the constitution, which came into effect in May 1979, the Marshalls have a parliamentary system of government in which legislative authority is vested in the 33-member Nitijela. Members are directly elected for four years. The president, who holds executive power and governs with the assistance of an appointed cabinet, is elected by the Nitijela from among its own members. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.