Topic: Photos of Greenland

Topic: Introduction
Background: Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 80% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became an integral part of the Danish Realm in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland remains a member of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the EU. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule in November 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in June 2009. Denmark, however, continues to exercise control over several policy areas on behalf of Greenland, including foreign affairs, security, and financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Self-Rule Government.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
Geographic coordinates: 72 00 N, 40 00 W
Map references: Arctic Region
Area: total: 2,166,086 sq km

land: 2,166,086 sq km (approximately 1,710,000 sq km ice-covered)
Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 44,087 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Climate: arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Terrain: flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast
Elevation: highest point: Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,694 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,792 m
Natural resources: coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Land use: agricultural land: 0.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 0% (2018 est.)

other: 99.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: NA
Population distribution: settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited
Natural hazards: continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island
Geography - note: dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice sheet after that of Antarctica covering an area of 1.71 million sq km (660,000 sq mi) or about 79% of the island, and containing 2.85 million cu km (684 thousand cu mi) of ice (this is almost 7% of all of the world's fresh water); if all this ice were converted to liquid water, one estimate is that it would be sufficient to raise the height of the world's oceans by 7.2 m (24 ft)
Map description: Greenland map showing the massive island that makes up this part of Denmark in the North Atlantic Ocean.Greenland map showing the massive island that makes up this part of Denmark in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 57,792 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Greenlander(s)

adjective: Greenlandic
Ethnic groups: Greenlandic 89.1%, Danish 7.5%, other Nordic peoples 0.9%, and other 2.5% (2022 est.)

note: data represent population by country of birth
Languages: Greenlandic (West Greenlandic or Kalaallisut is the official language), Danish, English
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.82% (male 6,079/female 5,916)

15-24 years: 14.45% (male 4,186/female 4,137)

25-54 years: 39.72% (male 11,962/female 10,921)

55-64 years: 14.66% (male 4,561/female 3,886)

65 years and over: 10.36% (2020 est.) (male 3,170/female 2,798)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA

youth dependency ratio: NA

elderly dependency ratio: NA

potential support ratio: NA
Median age: total: 34.3 years

male: 35.1 years

female: 33.4 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.02% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 13.79 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 8.96 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited
Urbanization: urban population: 87.7% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 18,000 NUUK (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 8.75 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 10.25 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.98 years

male: 71.28 years

female: 76.82 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.91 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: NA
Physicians density: 1.87 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
Hospital bed density: 14 beds/1,000 population (2016)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 10.6% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100% (2015)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: especially vulnerable to climate change and disruption of the Arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting
Air pollutants: carbon dioxide emissions: 0.51 megatons (2016 est.)
Climate: arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Land use: agricultural land: 0.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 0% (2018 est.)

other: 99.4% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 87.7% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 50,000 tons (2010 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Greenland

local long form: none

local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat

etymology: named by Norwegian adventurer Erik THORVALDSSON (Erik the Red) in A.D. 985 in order to entice settlers to the island
Government type: parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut)
Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979
Capital: name: Nuuk (Godthaab)

geographic coordinates: 64 11 N, 51 45 W

time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

time zone note: Greenland has four time zones

etymology: "nuuk" is the Inuit word for "cape" and refers to the city's position at the end of the Nuup Kangerlua fjord
Administrative divisions: 5 municipalities (kommuner, singular kommune); Avannaata, Kujalleq, Qeqertalik, Qeqqata, Sermersooq

note: Northeast Greenland National Park (Kalaallit Nunaanni Nuna Eqqissisimatitaq) and the Thule Air Base in Pituffik (in northwest Greenland) are two unincorporated areas; the national park's 972,000 sq km - about 46% of the island - makes it the largest national park in the world and also the most northerly
Independence: none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland)
National holiday: National Day, June 21; note - marks the summer solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere
Constitution: history: previous 1953 (Greenland established as a constituency in the Danish constitution), 1979 (Greenland Home Rule Act); latest 21 June 2009 (Greenland Self-Government Act)
Legal system: the laws of Denmark apply where applicable and Greenlandic law applies to other areas
Citizenship: see Denmark
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Mikaela ENGELL (since April 2011)

head of government: Premier Mute B. EGEDE (since 23 April 2021)

cabinet: Self-rule Government (Naalakkersuisut) elected by the Parliament (Inatsisartut) on the basis of the strength of parties

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; premier indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term

election results: Kim KIELSEN elected premier; Parliament vote - Kim KIELSEN (S) 27.2%, Sara OLSVIG (IA) 25.5%, Randi Vestergaard EVALDSEN (D) 19.5%, other 27.8%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (31 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote  - using the d'Hondt method - to serve 4-year terms)
Greenland elects 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms

elections: Greenland Parliament - last held on 6 April 2021 (next to be held in 2025)
Greenland members to Danish Parliament - last held on 5 June 2019 (next to be held by 4 June 2023)

election results: Greenland Parliament - percent of vote by party - IA 38.7%, S 32.2%, N 12.9%, D 9.7%, A 6.5%; seats by party - IA 12, S 10, N 4, D 3, A 2; composition - men 21, women 10, percent of women 32.2%

Greenland members in Danish Parliament - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - IA 1, S 1; composition - 2 women
Judicial branch: highest courts: High Court of Greenland (consists of the presiding professional judge and 2 lay assessors); note - appeals beyond the High Court of Greenland can be heard by the Supreme Court (in Copenhagen)

judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the monarch upon the recommendation of the Judicial Appointments Council, a 6-member independent body of judges and lawyers; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 70

subordinate courts: Court of Greenland; 18 district or magistrates' courts
Political parties and leaders: Democrats Party (Demokraatit) or D [Jens Frederik NIELSEN]
Fellowship Party (Atassut) or A [Aqqalu JERIMIASSEN]
Forward Party (Siumut) or S [Erik JENSEN]
Inuit Community (Inuit Ataqatigiit) or IA [Mute Bourup EGEDE]
Signpost Party (Partii Naleraq) or N [Hans ENOKSEN]
International organization participation: Arctic Council, ICC, NC, NIB, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Kenneth HOEGH, Head of Representation; note - Greenland also has offices in the Danish consulates in Chicago and New York

chancery: Greenland Representation
3200 Whitehaven Street, NW
Washington, DC  20008

telephone: 202-797-5392

email address and website:
washington@nanoq.gl

https://naalakkersuisut.gl/en/Naalakkersuisut/Groenlands-repraesentation-Washington
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul Joanie SIMON (since June 2021)

embassy: Aalisartut Aqqutaa 47
Nuuk 3900
Greenland

telephone: (+299) 384100

email address and website:
https://dk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulate/nuuk/
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white; the design represents the sun reflecting off a field of ice; the colors are the same as those of the Danish flag and symbolize Greenland's links to the Kingdom of Denmark
National symbol(s): polar bear; national colors: red, white
National anthem: name: "Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" (Our Country, Who's Become So Old also translated as You Our Ancient Land)

lyrics/music: Henrik LUND/Jonathan PETERSEN

note: adopted 1916; the government also recognizes "Nuna asiilasooq" as a secondary anthem
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 cultural, 1 natural); note - excerpted from the Denmark entry

selected World Heritage Site locales: Ilulissat Icefjord (n); Kujataa, Norse and Inuit Farming (c); Aasivissuit–Nipisat, Inuit Hunting Ground (c)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Greenland’s economy depends on exports of shrimp and fish, and on a substantial subsidy from the Danish Government. Fish account for over 90% of its exports, subjecting the economy to price fluctuations. The subsidy from the Danish Government is budgeted to be about $535 million in 2017, more than 50% of government revenues, and 25% of GDP.   The economy is expanding after a period of decline. The economy contracted between 2012 and 2014, grew by 1.7% in 2015 and by 7.7%in 2016. The expansion has been driven by larger quotas for shrimp, the predominant Greenlandic export, and also by increased activity in the construction sector, especially in Nuuk, the capital. Private consumption and tourism also are contributing to GDP growth more than in previous years. Tourism in Greenland grew annually around 20% in 2015 and 2016, largely a result of increasing numbers of cruise lines now operating in Greenland's western and southern waters during the peak summer tourism season.   The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays a dominant role in Greenland's economy. During the last decade the Greenland Self Rule Government pursued conservative fiscal and monetary policies, but public pressure has increased for better schools, health care, and retirement systems. The budget was in deficit in 2014 and 2016, but public debt remains low at about 5% of GDP. The government plans a balanced budget for the 2017–20 period.   Significant challenges face the island, including low levels of qualified labor, geographic dispersion, lack of industry diversification, the long-term sustainability of the public budget, and a declining population due to emigration. Hydrocarbon exploration has ceased with declining oil prices. The island has potential for natural resource exploitation with rare-earth, uranium, and iron ore mineral projects proposed, but a lack of infrastructure hinders development.Greenland’s economy depends on exports of shrimp and fish, and on a substantial subsidy from the Danish Government. Fish account for over 90% of its exports, subjecting the economy to price fluctuations. The subsidy from the Danish Government is budgeted to be about $535 million in 2017, more than 50% of government revenues, and 25% of GDP. The economy is expanding after a period of decline. The economy contracted between 2012 and 2014, grew by 1.7% in 2015 and by 7.7%in 2016. The expansion has been driven by larger quotas for shrimp, the predominant Greenlandic export, and also by increased activity in the construction sector, especially in Nuuk, the capital. Private consumption and tourism also are contributing to GDP growth more than in previous years. Tourism in Greenland grew annually around 20% in 2015 and 2016, largely a result of increasing numbers of cruise lines now operating in Greenland's western and southern waters during the peak summer tourism season. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays a dominant role in Greenland's economy. During the last decade the Greenland Self Rule Government pursued conservative fiscal and monetary policies, but public pressure has increased for better schools, health care, and retirement systems. The budget was in deficit in 2014 and 2016, but public debt remains low at about 5% of GDP. The government plans a balanced budget for the 2017–20 period. Significant challenges face the island, including low levels of qualified labor, geographic dispersion, lack of industry diversification, the long-term sustainability of the public budget, and a declining population due to emigration. Hydrocarbon exploration has ceased with declining oil prices. The island has potential for natural resource exploitation with rare-earth, uranium, and iron ore mineral projects proposed, but a lack of infrastructure hinders development.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.413 billion (2015 est.)

$2.24 billion (2014 est.)

$2.203 billion (2013 est.)

note: data are in 2015 US dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 7.7% (2016 est.)

1.7% (2015 est.)

-0.8% (2014 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $41,800 (2015 est.)

$38,800 (2014 est.)

$38,500 (2013 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $2.221 billion (2015 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.3% (January 2017 est.)

1.2% (January 2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 15.9% (2015 est.)

industry: 10.1% (2015 est.)

services: 73.9% (2015)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 68.1% (2015 est.)

government consumption: 28% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 14.3% (2015 est.)

investment in inventories: -13.9% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services: 18.2% (2015 est.)

imports of goods and services: -28.6% (2015 est.)
Agricultural products: sheep, cattle, reindeer, fish, shellfish
Industries: fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); anorthosite and ruby mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards
Industrial production growth rate: NA
Labor force: 26,840 (2015 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 15.9%

industry: 10.1%

services: 73.9% (2015 est.)
Unemployment rate: 9.1% (2015 est.)

10.3% (2014 est.)
Population below poverty line: 16.2% (2015 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.9 (2015 est.)

34.3 (2014 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 1.719 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures: 1.594 billion (2016 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 5.6% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Public debt: 13% of GDP (2015 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 77.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Exports: $407.1 million (2015 est.)

$599.7 million (2014 est.)
Exports - partners: Denmark 55%, China 22%, Japan 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities: fish, crustaceans, fishing ships (2019)
Imports: $783.5 million (2015 est.)

$866.1 million (2014 est.)
Imports - partners: Denmark 51%, Spain 23%, Sweden 12%, Iceland 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities: fishing ships, refined petroleum, construction vehicles, crustaceans, delivery trucks (2019)
Debt - external: $36.4 million (2010)

$58 million (2009)
Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -

6.586 (2017 est.)

6.7309 (2016 est.)

6.7309 (2015 est.)

6.7326 (2014 est.)

5.6125 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 187,000 kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 481.7 million kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 17 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 15.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 84.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 183 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 3,973 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 605,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 605,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 6,352 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 65,958 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 116 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables, and microwave radio relay; the fundamental telecommunications infrastructure consists of a digital radio link from Nanortalik in south Greenland to Uummannaq in north Greenland; satellites cover north and east Greenland for domestic and foreign telecommunications; a marine cable connects south and west Greenland to the rest of the world, extending from Nuuk and Qaqortoq to Canada and Iceland (2018)

domestic: nearly 13 per 100 for fixed-line subscriptions and 109 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2019)

international: country code - 299; landing points for Greenland Connect, Greenland Connect North, Nunavut Undersea Fiber System submarine cables to Greenland, Iceland, and Canada; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: the Greenland Broadcasting Company provides public radio and TV services throughout the island with a broadcast station and a series of repeaters; a few private local TV and radio stations; Danish public radio rebroadcasts are available (2019)
Internet country code: .gl
Internet users: total: 39,358 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 70% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 15,649 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) (registered in Denmark)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 8 (registered in Denmark)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: OY-H
Airports: total: 15 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 10

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 6 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2021)
Roadways: note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport is either by sea or by airnote: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport is either by sea or by air
Merchant marine: total: 8

by type: other 8 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Sisimiut

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces or conscription
Military - note: the Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk is responsible for the defense of Greenland

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland; Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submissionmanaged dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland; Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission


Topic: Photos of Marshall Islands

Topic: Introduction
Background: Humans arrived in the Marshall Islands in the first millennium B.C. and gradually created permanent settlements on the various atolls. The early inhabitants were skilled navigators who frequently traveled between atolls using stick charts to map the islands. Society became organized under two paramount chiefs, one each for the Ratak (Sunrise) Chain and the Ralik (Sunset) Chain. The traditional hierarchy continued even after contact with Europeans in the early 1500s. Spain formally claimed the islands in 1592, but few other Europeans passed by the islands in the next two centuries. In 1788, British sea captain John MARSHALL undertook an exploratory voyage, and the islands were mapped in the early 1800s by Russian explorers. In the 1850s, US Protestant missionaries began arriving on the islands. Germany established a supply station on Jaluit Atoll and bought the islands from Spain in 1884, although paramount chiefs continued to rule.

Japan seized the Marshall Islands in 1914 and was granted a League of Nations Mandate to administer the islands in 1920. Japan built large military bases throughout the Marshall Islands, and during World War II, the US captured the bases on Kwajalein, Enewetak, and Majuro Atolls in Operations Flintlock and Catchpole. The Marshall Islands came under US administration as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) in 1947. Between 1946 and 1958, the US resettled populations from Bikini and Enewetak Atolls and conducted 67 nuclear tests; people from Ailinginae and Rongelap Atolls were also evacuated because of nuclear fallout, and all four atolls remain largely uninhabited. In 1979, the Marshall Islands drafted a constitution separate from the rest of the TTPI and declared independence under President Amata KABUA, a paramount chief. In 2000, Kessai NOTE became the first commoner elected president. In 2016, Hilda HEINE was the first woman elected president.

In 1982, the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted the Marshall Islands financial assistance and access to many US domestic programs in exchange for exclusive US military access and defense responsibilities; the COFA entered into force in 1986 and its funding was renewed in 2003. The Marshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll Reagan Missile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defense network. Kwajalein also hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system (the others are at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US), on Ascension (Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha), and at Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory)).Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Oceania, consists of 29 atolls and five isolated islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; the atolls and islands are situated in two, almost-parallel island chains - the Ratak (Sunrise) group and the Ralik (Sunset) group; the total number of islands and islets is about 1,225; 22 of the atolls and four of the islands are uninhabited
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 168 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 181 sq km

land: 181 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km of lagoon waters and encompasses the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik
Area - comparative: about the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 370.4 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
Terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands
Elevation: highest point: East-central Airik Island, Maloelap Atoll 14 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 2 m
Natural resources: coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals
Land use: agricultural land: 50.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 7.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 31.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 11.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 49.3% (2018 est.)

other: 0% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: most people live in urban clusters found on many of the country's islands; more than two-thirds of the population lives on the atolls of Majuro and Ebeye
Natural hazards: infrequent typhoons
Geography - note: the islands of Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein atoll, famous as a World War II battleground, surrounds the world's largest lagoon and is used as a US missile test range; the island city of Ebeye is the second largest settlement in the Marshall Islands, after the capital of Majuro, and one of the most densely populated locations in the Pacific
Map description: Marshall Islands map showing the major islands of this archipelagic country in the North Pacific Ocean.Marshall Islands map showing the major islands of this archipelagic country in the North Pacific Ocean.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 79,906 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)

adjective: Marshallese
Ethnic groups: Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006 est.)
Languages: Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 est.)

major-language sample(s):
Bok eo an Lalin kin Melele ko Rejimwe ej jikin ebōk melele ko raurōk. (Marshallese)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language
Bok eo an Lalin kin Melele ko Rejimwe ej jikin ebōk melele ko raurōk. (Marshallese)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Protestant 80.5% (United Church of Christ 47%, Assembly of God 16.2%, Bukot Nan Jesus 5.4%, Full Gospel 3.3%, Reformed Congressional Church 3%, Salvation Army 1.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4%, Meram in Jesus 1.2%, other Protestant 1.1%), Roman Catholic 8.5%, Church of Jesus Christ 7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.7%,  other 1.2%, none 1.1% (2011 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 32.94% (male 13,090/female 12,575)

15-24 years: 19.09% (male 7,568/female 7,308)

25-54 years: 37.35% (male 14,834/female 14,270)

55-64 years: 5.92% (male 2,269/female 2,341)

65 years and over: 4.7% (2020 est.) (male 1,805/female 1,857)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA

youth dependency ratio: NA

elderly dependency ratio: NA

potential support ratio: NA
Median age: total: 23.8 years

male: 23.6 years

female: 23.9 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.34% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 22 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 4.28 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most people live in urban clusters found on many of the country's islands; more than two-thirds of the population lives on the atolls of Majuro and Ebeye
Urbanization: urban population: 78.5% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 31,000 MAJURO (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 21.66 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 25.19 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 17.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.65 years

male: 72.4 years

female: 77.01 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.76 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 99.8% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0.2% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 16.3% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.42 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
Hospital bed density: 2.7 beds/1,000 population
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 96.6% of population

rural: 65.4% of population

total: 89.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 3.4% of population

rural: 34.6% of population

total: 10.3% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: malaria
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 52.9% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 28.5% (2020 est.)

male: 48.7% (2020 est.)

female: 8.3% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 11.9% (2017)
Education expenditures: 9.6% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.3%

male: 98.3%

female: 98.2% (2011)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years

male: 10 years

female: 10 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 26%

male: 31%

female: 14.2% (2019 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels; sea level rise
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 9.43 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.14 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.03 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
Land use: agricultural land: 50.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 7.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 31.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 11.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 49.3% (2018 est.)

other: 0% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 78.5% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: malaria
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 8,614 tons (2013 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,653 tons (2007 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 30.8% (2007 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands

conventional short form: Marshall Islands

local long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands

local short form: Marshall Islands

former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands District

abbreviation: RMI

etymology: named after British Captain John MARSHALL, who charted many of the islands in 1788
Government type: mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US
Capital: name: Majuro; note - the capital is an atoll of 64 islands; governmental buildings are housed on three fused islands on the eastern side of the atoll: Djarrit, Uliga, and Delap

geographic coordinates: 7 06 N, 171 23 E

time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: Majuro means "two openings" or "two eyes" and refers to the two major northern passages through the atoll into the Majuro lagoon
Administrative divisions: 24 municipalities; Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikini & Kili, Ebon, Enewetak & Ujelang, Jabat, Jaluit, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Ujae, Utrik, Wotho, Wotje
Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)
Constitution: history: effective 1 May 1979

amendments: proposed by the National Parliament or by a constitutional convention; passage by Parliament requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership in each of two readings and approval by a majority of votes in a referendum; amendments submitted by a constitutional convention require approval of at least two thirds of votes in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2018
Legal system: mixed legal system of US and English common law, customary law, and local statutes
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Marshall Islands

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President David KABUA (since  13 January 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President David KABUA (since 13 January 2020)

cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president from among members of the Nitijela, appointed by Nitijela speaker

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Nitijela from among its members for a 4-year term (no term limits); election last held on 6 January 2020 (next to be held in 2024)

election results: David KABUA elected president; Parliament vote - David KABUA 20, Hilda C. HEINE 12
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Parliament consists of:
Nitijela (33 seats; members in 19 single- and 5 multi-seat constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the Council of Iroij, a 12-member group of tribal leaders advises the Presidential Cabinet and reviews legislation affecting customary law or any traditional practice); members appointed to serve 1-year terms

elections: last held on 18 November 2019 (next to be held by November 2023)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 33; composition - men 31, women 2, percent of women 6.1%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices)

judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the Cabinet upon the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (consists of the chief justice of the High Court, the attorney general and a private citizen selected by the Cabinet) and upon approval of the Nitijela; the current chief justice, appointed in 2013, serves for 10 years; Marshallese citizens appointed as justices serve until retirement at age 72

subordinate courts: High Court; District Courts; Traditional Rights Court; Community Courts
Political parties and leaders: 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
International organization participation: ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gerald M. ZACKIOS (since 16 September 2016)

chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414

FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236

email address and website:
info@rmiembassyus.org

https://www.rmiembassyus.org/

consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Springdale (AR)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roxanne CABRAL (since 6 February 2020)

embassy: Mejen Weto, Ocean Side, Majuro

mailing address: 4380 Majuro Place, Washington DC  20521-4380

telephone: [692] 247-4011

FAX: [692] 247-4012

email address and website:
MAJConsular@state.gov

https://mh.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays appears on the hoist side above the two stripes; blue represents the Pacific Ocean, the orange stripe signifies the Ralik Chain or sunset and courage, while the white stripe signifies the Ratak Chain or sunrise and peace; the star symbolizes the cross of Christianity, each of the 24 rays designates one of the electoral districts in the country and the four larger rays highlight the principal cultural centers of Majuro, Jaluit, Wotje, and Ebeye; the rising diagonal band can also be interpreted as representing the equator, with the star showing the archipelago's position just to the north
National symbol(s): a 24-rayed star; national colors: blue, white, orange
National anthem: name: "Forever Marshall Islands"

lyrics/music: Amata KABUA

note: adopted 1981
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: US assistance and lease payments for the use of Kwajalein Atoll as a US military base are the mainstay of this small island country. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. Tourism holds some potential. The islands and atolls have few natural resources, and imports exceed exports.   The Marshall Islands received roughly $1 billion in aid from the US during the period 1986-2001 under the original Compact of Free Association (Compact). In 2002 and 2003, the US and the Marshall Islands renegotiated the Compact's financial package for a 20-year period, 2004 to 2024. Under the amended Compact, the Marshall Islands will receive roughly $1.5 billion in direct US assistance. Under the amended Compact, the US and Marshall Islands are also jointly funding a Trust Fund for the people of the Marshall Islands that will provide an income stream beyond 2024, when direct Compact aid ends.US assistance and lease payments for the use of Kwajalein Atoll as a US military base are the mainstay of this small island country. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. Tourism holds some potential. The islands and atolls have few natural resources, and imports exceed exports. The Marshall Islands received roughly $1 billion in aid from the US during the period 1986-2001 under the original Compact of Free Association (Compact). In 2002 and 2003, the US and the Marshall Islands renegotiated the Compact's financial package for a 20-year period, 2004 to 2024. Under the amended Compact, the Marshall Islands will receive roughly $1.5 billion in direct US assistance. Under the amended Compact, the US and Marshall Islands are also jointly funding a Trust Fund for the people of the Marshall Islands that will provide an income stream beyond 2024, when direct Compact aid ends.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $240 million (2019 est.)

$220 million (2018 est.)

$219 million (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.5% (2017 est.)

3.6% (2016 est.)

2% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $4,000 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$3,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$3,776 (2017 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $222 million (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0% (2017 est.)

-1.5% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 4.4% (2013 est.)

industry: 9.9% (2013 est.)

services: 85.7% (2013 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: government consumption: 50% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 17.8% (2016 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.2% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services: 52.9% (2016 est.)

imports of goods and services: -102.3% (2016 est.)
Agricultural products: coconuts
Industries: copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls)
Industrial production growth rate: NA
Labor force: 10,670 (2013 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 11%

industry: 16.3%

services: 72.7% (2011 est.)
Unemployment rate: 36% (2006 est.)

30.9% (2000 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 26%

male: 31%

female: 14.2% (2019 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 116.7 million (2013 est.)

expenditures: 113.9 million (2013 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 1.3% (of GDP) (2013 est.)
Public debt: 25.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

30% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 52.6% (of GDP) (2013 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Current account balance: -$1 million (2017 est.)

$15 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $130 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Poland 28%, Denmark 19%, South Korea 13%, Indonesia 10%, Cyprus 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities: ships, fish, recreational boats, broadcasting equipment, coal tar oil (2019)
Imports: $170 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$103.8 million (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: South Korea 39%, China 27%, Japan 15% (2019)
Imports - commodities: ships, refined petroleum, centrifuges, recreational boats, boat propellers (2019)
Debt - external: $97.96 million (2013 est.)

$87 million (2008 est.)
Exchange rates: the US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 96.3% (2018)

electrification - urban areas: 95.7% (2018)

electrification - rural areas: 98.4% (2018)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 2,060 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 293,700 metric tonnes of CO2 (2017 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,361 (2018 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2018 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 16,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 27 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: some telecom infrastructure improvements made in recent years; modern services include fiber optic cable service, cellular, Internet, international calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits; the US Government, World Bank, UN and International Telecommunication Union (ITU), have aided in improvements and monetary aid to the islands telecom; mobile penetrations is around 30%; radio communication is especially vital to remote islands (2018)

domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by high frequency radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) and mini-satellite telephones; fixed-line roughly 4 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular is nearly 28 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: no TV broadcast station; a cable network is available on Majuro with programming via videotape replay and satellite relays; 4 radio broadcast stations; American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio and television service to Kwajalein Atoll (2019)
Internet country code: .mh
Internet users: total: 22,929 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 39% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.)
Communications - note: Kwajalein hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system (the others are at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US), on Ascension (Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha), and at Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory))

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 24,313 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 130,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: V7
Airports: total: 15 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Roadways: total: 2,028 km (2007)

paved: 75 km (2007)

unpaved: 1,953 km
Merchant marine: total: 3,817

by type: bulk carrier 1,733, container ship 248, general cargo 66, oil tanker 970, other 800 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Enitwetak Island, Kwajalein, Majuro

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; the national police (Marshall Islands Police Department, MIPD), local police forces, and the Sea Patrol (maritime police) maintain internal security; the MIPD and Sea Patrol report to the Ministry of Justice; local police report to their respective local government councils
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Marshall Islands-US: claims US territory of Wake Island; the Marshall Islands put its claim on record with the UN in 2016  Marshall Islands-US: claims US territory of Wake Island; the Marshall Islands put its claim on record with the UN in 2016
Trafficking in persons: current situation: The Marshall Islands are a destination country for women from East Asia subjected to sex trafficking; foreign women are reportedly forced into prostitution in bars frequented by crew members of fishing vessels; some Chinese women are recruited to the Marshall Islands with promises of legitimate work and are subsequently forced into prostitution; wealthy or powerful families use traditional cultural practices to exploit impoverished Marshallese from outer islands as indentured laborers on their property; Marshallese children are transported to the United States and subjected to sexual abuse

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the Marshall Islands does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include its first trafficking prosecution since 2011 and opening an investigation into an immigration official for alleged trafficking complicity; however, no efforts were made to identify trafficking victims and no assistance was provided to victims; the government has not convicted any traffickers since 2011 (2020)


Topic: Introduction
Background: Multiple waves of colonizers, each speaking a distinct language, migrated to the New Hebrides in the millennia preceding European exploration in the 18th century. This settlement pattern accounts for the complex linguistic diversity found on the archipelago to this day. The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980, when the new name of Vanuatu was adopted.Multiple waves of colonizers, each speaking a distinct language, migrated to the New Hebrides in the millennia preceding European exploration in the 18th century. This settlement pattern accounts for the complex linguistic diversity found on the archipelago to this day. The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980, when the new name of Vanuatu was adopted.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 12,189 sq km

land: 12,189 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April
Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish

Topic: People and Society
Population: 308,043 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Melanesian 99.2%, non-Melanesian 0.8% (2016 est.)
Languages: local languages (more than 100) 63.2%, Bislama (official; creole) 33.7%, English (official) 2%, French (official) 0.6%, other 0.5% (2009 est.)
Religions: Protestant 70% (includes Presbyterian 27.9%, Anglican 15.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.5%, Assemblies of God 4.7%, Church of Christ 4.5%, Neil Thomas Ministry 3.1%, and Apostolic 2.2%), Roman Catholic 12.4%, customary beliefs 3.7% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 12.6%, none 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2009 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.63% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Port-Vila (on Efate)
Executive branch: chief of state: President Nikenike VUROBARAVU (since 23 July 2022)

head of government: Prime Minister Bob LOUGHMAN (since 20 April 2020)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members directly elected in 8 single-seat and 9 multi-seat constituencies by single non-transferable vote to serve 4-year terms (candidates in multi-seat constituencies can be elected with only 4% of the vote)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Pacific island agriculture- and tourism-based economy; environmentally vulnerable to cyclones; poor property rights administration; corruption-prone; subsidizing loss-prone state enterprises in agriculture, banking, and airportsPacific island agriculture- and tourism-based economy; environmentally vulnerable to cyclones; poor property rights administration; corruption-prone; subsidizing loss-prone state enterprises in agriculture, banking, and airports
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $850 million (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $2,800 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: coconuts, roots/tubers nes, bananas, vegetables, pork, fruit, milk, beef, groundnuts, cocoa
Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
Exports: $380 million (2019 est.)
Exports - partners: Japan 33%, Thailand 13%, Mauritania 13%, South Korea 11%, China 9%, Fiji 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities: fish and fish products, tug boats, perfume plants, mollusks, cocoa beans (2019)
Imports: $460 million (2019 est.)
Imports - partners: China 29%, Australia 18%, New Zealand 11%, Fiji 11%, Taiwan 5%, Thailand 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, fishing ships, delivery trucks, poultry meats, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Exchange rates: vatu (VUV) per US dollar -Page last updated: Monday, Jul 25, 2022


US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Nicaragua due to COVID-19. Reconsider travel due to limited healthcare availability and arbitrary enforcement of laws. Exercise increased caution in Nicaragua due to crime. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required for stays of less than 30 days. You must purchase a tourist card for $10 USD at the airport (exact change recommended), valid for up to a total of 90 days.
US Embassy/Consulate: +(505) 2252-7100; US Embassy Managua, Km 5 ½ Carretera Sur, Managua, Nicaragua; ACS.Managua@state.gov;

https://ni.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code: 505
Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 128; Fire: 115, 911; Police: 118
Vaccinations: Travelers must show proof of yellow fever vaccination administered at least 10 days before travel in order to be permitted entry to Nicaragua. See WHO recommendations.

http://www.who.int/
Climate: Tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Currency (Code): Cordobas (NIO)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B

Major Languages: Spanish, Miskito, Mestizo
Major Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Evangelical 33.2%, other 2.9%, unspecified 13.2%
Time Difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Yes, but some opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in Nicaragua, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Somoto Canyon; Masaya Volcano National Park; Cerro Mogotón; Isla Ometepe; Cerro Negro; Pearl Cays; Bosawas Biosphere Reserve
Major Sports: Soccer, baseball, boxing
Cultural Practices: Pointing is accomplished with the lips - pucker the lips and raise the chin briefly in the direction you are pointing to.
Tipping Guidelines: Leaving a 8-10% tip at restaurants is appropriate. Tipping a porter 50 cents (USD), a doorman $1-2 (USD), and hotel housekeeping $1 (USD) per day is common.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2022