These beautiful islands are a collection of 1,225 islands and islets of which only five are single islands. The rest are grouped into 29 coral atolls which together make up more than one-tenth of all the atolls in the world resembling strings of pearls in a blue ocean backdrop. It is no wonder they are referred to as the 'Pearl of the Pacific'.
They lie in two parallel chains known as sunrise and sunset (Ratak and Ralik) and in true atoll form, they are narrow and low and encircle large central lagoons. All the islands have glorious white sandy beaches, tall palms and are lapped by crystal clear waters.
Click on the above map for a detailed map
Of the 29 atolls, 27 are accessible by small plane (Air Marshall Islands). Majuro and Kwajalein atolls, the two population centres are serviced by both Air Marshall Islands and Continental Air Micronesia Jet Aircraft. There are also regular flights to Guam, Hawaii and Fiji.
Below are the main islands of the Marshalls:
Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokaak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabwot, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Knox, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongerik, Taka, Ujae, Ujelang, Utrik, Wotho and Wotje as per excellent Web site:
For further information about the origin of the Marshall Islands, please visit:
Micronesia Mythology: Marshall Islands
HISTORY
The Republic of the Marshall Islands was first settled in about 1,000 BC by people of Mayo/Polynesian stock. It was visited by Spanish navigators in the 16th century seeking a westerly route to the Spice Islands. In 1788, British sea Captain John William Marshall sailed through these atolls and proclaimed them Marshall Islands, while en route from Australia to China. In the 1800s German traders, Missionaries from Hawaii and British and American whalers visited the islands.
THE PEOPLE
Marshallese is the official language but English is taught in the schools and is widely spoken.
The people are softly-spoken and good natured with a rich oral tradition of chants, songs and legends. The chiefs continue to wield a great deal of authority over land ownership and usage.
Copra and a fisheries industry are the foundation of the island's economy. However, the Government which is a unique blend of the American and British system of Government, has given strong support for tourism development and seeking other economic basis.
MAJURO
Majuro atoll, capital of the Marshall Islands, is the most developed atoll with a thriving commercial and political centre and a population of nearly 30,000. It offers visitors, diving and fishing, a cultural museum, a variety of cuisine, entertaining nightlife and is the perfect "home base" while visiting the outer islands. Day trips can be taken to neighbouring Arno atoll for diving or fishing.
KWAJALEIN ATOLL
Ebeye is the Marshellese population centre on Kwajalein atoll, the largest atoll in the world depending of course on how it is defined (compared to Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Republic of Kiribati). A U.S. military base occupies the largest island in the atoll and its airport accommodates both military and commercial air traffic. Ebeye has a population of about 11,000 and provides access to some of the world's best wreck diving. Kwajalein lagoon has numerous WW2 and earlier wrecks including the famous Prinz Eugen, the escort ship to Germany's Bismark. Fishing, too, is excellent here.
Comfortable tourist accommodation can be found in Majuro and Ebeye, with traditional thatched huts available in a few of the outer atolls such as Milli. Bikini atoll was opened recently to divers and sports fishermen. The Bikini Resort will accommodate sixteen visitors in air-conditioned comfort while they experience the best wreck diving in the world and fish in waters uninhabited for fifty years. Several specialised dive resorts are soon to be built in the outer islands.
The Marshall's climate is tropical with the average temperature 27 degrees C. and there is less than a 12 degree daily variation. High temperatures are cooled by trade winds and frequent rainfalls. Primary leisure activities include world-class scuba diving on wrecks, walls and reefs, snorkelling and sports fishing for tuna, marlin, sailfish and more as well as WW2 wreck sightseeing.
Visitors can also enjoy shopping for local handicrafts with an array of beautiful baskets, jewellery and decorations. The islanders are known for their weaving using pandanus leaves.
David
R. Huskins: Majuro, RMI Marshall
Islands History:
The Davis Diaries Postcards
from Micronesia Jane's
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Welcome everybody to Micronesia Music Anthology which is available on The anthology can be accessed by clicking on the 'Broadcast Schedule' after logging in to Micronesia Music Radio. This should allow you to determine when the anthology is available in your part of the world. For example, in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Australia, the anthology is available at 12 noon each Saturday. In Kiribati, the anthology is available each Saturday afternoon at 2 pm; California at 7 pm each Friday evening; New York at 10 pm each Friday evening, along with Florida and Boston, Massachusetts, USA, etc. The anthology runs for 90 minutes in which the traditional chants are introduced, including many from the Marshall Islands, followed by the beautiful songs of Micronesia. Thank you! The schedule can also be accessed here
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