Tropical islands in the western Pacific, the Marshall Islands form two parallel island groups—the Ratak (sunrise) Chain and Ralik (sunset) Chain. These atolls, reefs, and islets include Kwajalein, test range for U.S. missiles and home to the world's largest lagoon, and Enewetak, where the United States exploded the first hydrogen bomb in 1952. Bikini Atoll is still uninhabitable because of past nuclear tests. In 1986 the former trust territory became self-governing in free association with the United States, which is responsible for its defense and foreign affairs.
The Marshall Islands are a group of atolls and reefs in the Pacific Ocean, about half-way between Hawaii and Australia. There are two island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands of low coral limestone and sand.
The climate in Marshall Islands is usually hot and humid, and wet seasons are from May to November. Most Marshallese speak Marshallese and English. One important word in Marshallese is "yokwe" which is similar to the Hawaiian "aloha" and means "hello", "goodbye" and "love".
The climate in Marshall Islands is usually hot and humid, and wet seasons are from May to November. Most Marshallese speak Marshallese and English. One important word in Marshallese is "yokwe" which is similar to the Hawaiian "aloha" and means "hello", "goodbye" and "love".
The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is about midway between Hawaii and Australia.
First settled by Micronesian navigators, they were subsequently controlled (some say exploited) by Spain andGermany, and finally by Japan.
Prior to the beginning of World War II, the Japanese fortified some of the atolls as a defensive measure. When that war ended with Japan's defeat, the United States was given total control.
For almost 40 years the islands were under U.S.administration as the easternmost part of the United Nation's Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
The United States used some of these isolated atolls for nuclear testing between 1947 and 1962. Long term affects are yet to be totally understood, and damage claims are still in the courts to this day.
In 1986 the islands gained independence under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Under the terms of that agreement, the U.S would provide significant financial aid, that to date now exceeds $1 billion.
First settled by Micronesian navigators, they were subsequently controlled (some say exploited) by Spain andGermany, and finally by Japan.
Prior to the beginning of World War II, the Japanese fortified some of the atolls as a defensive measure. When that war ended with Japan's defeat, the United States was given total control.
For almost 40 years the islands were under U.S.administration as the easternmost part of the United Nation's Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
The United States used some of these isolated atolls for nuclear testing between 1947 and 1962. Long term affects are yet to be totally understood, and damage claims are still in the courts to this day.
In 1986 the islands gained independence under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Under the terms of that agreement, the U.S would provide significant financial aid, that to date now exceeds $1 billion.
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