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NAVIGATION
Republic of the Marshall Islands
former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
GOVERNMENT
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands
conventional short form: Marshall Islands former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) |
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Government type:
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constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 |
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Capital:
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Majuro |
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Administrative divisions:
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33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje |
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Independence:
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21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) |
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National holiday:
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Constitution Day, 1 May (1979) |
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Constitution:
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1 May 1979 |
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Legal system:
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based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 3 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 3 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament from among its own members for a four-year term; election last held 15 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003) election results: Kessai Hesa NOTE elected president; percent of Parliament vote - 100% |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 15 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003) note: the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court; High Court |
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Political parties and leaders:
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traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Kabua Party [Imata KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING] |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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NA |
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International organization participation:
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ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, ITU, OPCW (signatory), Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Banny DE BRUM
chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Honolulu FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. SENKO
embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 telephone: [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012 |
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Flag description:
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blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes |
ECONOMY
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Economy - overview:
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US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. Agricultural production is primarily subsistence and is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US provides roughly $39 million in annual aid. Negotiations have continued for an extended agreement. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism and foreign investment due to the Asian financial difficulties, and less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade. |
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $115 million (2001 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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1% (2001 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2001 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 14%
industry: 16% services: 70% (2000 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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1.9% (1999 est.) |
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Labor force:
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28,698 |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 21%, industry 21%, services 58% |
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Unemployment rate:
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30.9% (1999 est.) |
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Budget:
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revenues: $42 million
expenditures: $40 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999) |
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Industries:
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copra, fish, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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NA% |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel: 99%
hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 1% (solar) |
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Agriculture - products:
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coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens |
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Exports:
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$9 million f.o.b. (2000) |
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Exports - commodities:
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copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts |
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Exports - partners:
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US, Japan, Australia |
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Imports:
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$54 million f.o.b. (2000) |
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Imports - commodities:
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foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco |
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Imports - partners:
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US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Fiji, China, Philippines |
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Debt - external:
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$86.5 million |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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approximately $39 million annually from the US |
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Currency:
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US dollar (USD) |
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Currency code:
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USD |
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Exchange rates:
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the US dollar is used |
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Fiscal year:
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1 October - 30 September |