Marshall Islands, island republic in the central Pacific Ocean,
located north of the equator in Micronesia. The Marshall Islands comprises 29
atolls, each made up of numerous islets, in two generally parallel groups: the
southeastern Ratak Chain and the northwestern Ralik Chain. The chief industries
are agriculture and fishing; the major export is copra. The islands are atolls
and coral reefs, and the inhabitants are Micronesian. Kwajalein is the largest
atoll; Majuro is the capital island.
The islands were sighted by the Spanish in 1526 but remained
essentially uncolonized until the late 19th century. They were a German
protectorate from 1885 to 1914, when they fell to Japan. In 1920 the
archipelago was mandated to Japan. In February 1944 American forces took
Majuro, the first Japanese possession captured in World War II. Other islands
were subsequently occupied. The archipelago remained under American military
control for the duration of the war. In 1946 an American task force used Bikini
atoll as a nuclear testing ground. The Marshalls became a trusteeship of the
United States in 1947 and self-governing in 1979, with a locally drafted
constitution, a popularly elected legislature, and a president. A Compact of
Free Association, delegating to the U.S. the responsibility for defense, was
approved by plebiscite in 1983 and came into effect in 1986. The trusteeship
was formally dissolved by the UN Security Council in 1990, and the country was
admitted to the United Nations in 1991. Area, 181 sq km (70 sq mi); population
(2008 estimate) 63,174.
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